Cord Clamping Controversy: YouTuber Irfan and the cord clamping controversy have ignited a debate about the concept of birth companions. Contrary to popular belief, the presence of relatives (such as the husband) during labor is encouraged by the World Health Organization. India advocated for its implementation back in 2016.
- Umbilical Cord Clamping by Parents is Illegal in India ?
- World Health Organisation (WHO) on the Concept of Birth Companions
- How World deal with the concept of Birth Companions
- Health Ministry of India Allows Birth Companions During Delivery in Public Health Facilities
- History of Birth Companion concept in India
- Why India Needs Birth Companions ?
- What is Wrong with Youtuber Ifran’s Cord clamping ?
- Past Controversies with Youtuber Mohd Irfan
- Government Actions in Youtuber Mohd Irfan’s cord clamping case
Umbilical Cord Clamping is Illegal ?
The Federation of Obstetric and Gynecological Societies of India (FOGSI) confirmed to The News Minute that cord clamping by parents under medical supervision is not illegal in India, as many claim. It is also not unusual for fathers to request to cut the umbilical cord after a vaginal birth. Several studies have shown that such a practice helps strengthen the father-child bond in the subsequent months compared to those who do not participate in the birthing process.
Senior obstetrician Dr. Uma Ram told TNM that this has been a common practice abroad, and more Indian parents are adopting it. The doctor mentioned that several fathers request to be in the delivery room for cord clamping to experience the birth of their child more intimately. There are various news reports indicating that in government hospitals, cord clamping is performed by fathers and promoted by many state governments.
World Health Organisation (WHO) on the Concept of Birth Companions
The World Health Organization promotes labor companionship as a core element of care for improving maternal and infant health (WHO 2002). WHO’s plan of action for maternal and neonatal health care encourages the presence of a companion during labor and delivery. WHO declares it as an intervention to improve neonatal health.
A trained birth companion contributes to reduced tension and shortened labor, increased the mother’s feelings of control. It also decreases interventions and cesareans and postpartum depression. The concept enhanced parent-infant bonding, better outcomes for the newborn, positive feelings about the birth experience.
How World deal with the concept of Birth Companions
Many countries are including birth companions in their maternal health guidelines. For example, China, Sri Lanka, Brazil, and Kenya have begun allowing birth companions in public health settings to varying extents. A national law in Brazil, enacted in 2005, affirms the rights of all women to have a companion of choice during labor, delivery, and the postpartum period. National guidelines for quality obstetrics and perinatal care in Kenya recommend a companion chosen by the woman during the first and second stages of labor. Sri Lanka formulated a policy in 2011 to allow birth companions.
Health Ministry of India Allows Birth Companions During Delivery in Public Health Facilities
on 25th February, 2016 Health Ministry advocated the birth companions during delivery in government hospitals. Health Ministry said,“In an innovative move aimed at reducing the Maternal Mortality Ratio and Infant Mortality Rate, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has made a significant decision to allow birth companions during delivery in public health facilities. This step signifies India’s commitment under the Sustainable Development Goals to further accelerate initiatives focusing on quality parameters of interventions.”
History of Birth Companion concept in India
In India, Christian Medical College, Vellore, in Tamil Nadu, started a birth companion program in 2002. Later in July 2004, Tamil Nadu government issued and order to scale up this program for all government hospitals in the state. Subsequently, the state witnessed a reduction in the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) from 380 in 1993 to 90 in 2007. Tamil Nadu was the first state to initiate a birth companion scheme in all public hospitals.
Due to its benefits in western countries, some Indian private hospitals have implemented the concept. But very few government hospital have allowed it due to various reasons. After Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s approval for the concept, government launched the Labour Room Quality Improvement Initiative (LaQshya) in March 2018.
Why India Needs Birth Companions ?
Since approximately 46% of maternal deaths, over 40% of stillbirths, and 40% of newborn deaths occur on the day of delivery. The LaQshya program aims to reduce preventable deaths during labor and in maternity operation theaters. It seeks to provide an effective system to enhance beneficiary satisfaction and deliver RMC to all pregnant women attending public health facilities. But despite an advisory from the Health Ministry in February 2016, birth companions are not widely allowed in government hospitals, except for few states like Kerala and Punjab.
What is Wrong with Youtuber Ifran’s Cord clamping ?
Infection Risk in C-Sec Deliveries : Irfan mentioned in a now-deleted video that his wife had a cesarean birth. Experts are not in favor of cord clamping by parents in cesarean births, as it required risk of infection is higher than normal deliveries.
Not properly Attired for Surgical Delivery Room : Experts such as Dr. Charmila Ayavoo, Vice President of FOGSI, have raised concerns about the risk of infection for the mother. She told The News Minute that Irfan does not appear to be properly attired for surgical delivery. The attire he wore is suitable for a vaginal birth, where sterility is not compromised. If the father is cutting the umbilical cord, necessary precautions such as scrubbing and wearing gloves should be undertaken. Dr. Charmila added that such things can create infection, which could led to short- and long-term morbidity for the mother.
Ethics : Third and most important, if any father present in the operating theater, only to provide emotional support. “A birth companion being with the mother is always welcome, but a private event should not be commercialized,” the doctor said.
Past Controversies with Youtuber Mohd Irfan
Irfan is no stranger to controversies. He appeared on the Tamil reality show *Cooku With Comali* and runs YouTube and Instagram pages called Irfan’s View. Earlier this year, he faced widespread criticism for holding a ‘gender-reveal’ party before his child’s birth. As we know, sex determination is banned in India. Irfan and his wife, Asifa Nazir, conducted a sex-determination test in Dubai, where there are no restrictions.
Government Actions in Youtuber Mohd Irfan’s cord clamping case
The Directorate of Medical and Rural Health Services (DMS) in Tamil Nadu has issued a show-cause notice to Rainbow Children’s Hospital. Furthermore, they have threatened the hospital with the cancellation of its license under the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act.
The DMS has also stated that they will share a report regarding the doctor who oversaw the cord clamping with the Medical Council of India (MCI).
Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian condemned YouTuber Irfan for violating medical regulations. Subramanian stated that a non-medical person performing such a procedure violates national medical laws. He added that a legal notice has been issued to Irfan, and a complaint has been lodged at Semmancheri Police Station. They have also filed a complaint against the private hospital doctor.