The effect of delayed umbilical cord clamping on the infant’s beta-endorphin level, mother-infant attachment and breastfeeding

Abstract

ObjectivesTo examine the effect of delayed umbilical cord clamping on the infant’s betaendorphin level, mother–infant attachment and breastfeeding. Study designThis study had an experimental design with a control group. The study was undertaken between October and December 2017 in a maternity hospital in the east of Turkey. In total, 107 pregnant women [55 in the experimental group (delayed cord clamping) and 52 in the control group (early cord clamping)] participated in the study. ResultsThe beta-endorphin level in the umbilical cord was 775.80 ± 229.35 in the experimental group and 547.91 ± 290.01 in the control group, and the difference was significant (t = 4.492, p = 0.000). Similarly, the prolactin level in the umbilical cord was 174.26 ± 47.20 in the experimental group and 119.06 ± 47.74 in the control group, and the difference was significant (t = 6.012, p = 0.000). Mother–infant attachment and breastfeeding success were higher in the experimental group. ConclusionsBeta-endorphin and prolactin levels in the umbilical cord, mother–infant attachment and breastfeeding success were higher in the group which underwent delayed cord clamping.