Effect of gravity on volume of placental transfusion: a multicentre, randomised, non-inferiority trial.

Background: Delayed cord clamping allows for the passage of blood from the placenta to the baby and reduces the risk of iron deficiency in infancy. To hold the infant for more than 1 min at the level of the vagina (as is presently recommended), on the assumption that gravity affects the volume of placental transfusion, is cumbersome, might result in low compliance, and interferes with immediate contact of the infant with the mother. We aimed to assess whether gravity affects the volume of placental transfusion

Methods: We did a multicentre non-inferiority trial at three university-affiliated hospitals in Argentina.