Effect of Intact Umbilical Cord Milking on Neonatal and First Year Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Very Preterm Infants.

Immediately after delivery, the infant will be placed at or ∼20 cm below the level of the placenta and about 20 cm of the intact umbilical cord will be milked towards the umbilicus three times. The technique consists of pinching the cord close to the placenta and milking about 20 cm segment of the cord proximal to the umbilicus, towards the infant over a 2-second duration. The cord will then be released and allowed to refill with blood for a brief 2-second pause between each milking motion. After completion of milking three times, the cord will be clamped close to the umbilicus and the neonate handed over to the neonatal team. The procedure of cord milking will be completed within 20 seconds.