Immediate cord clamping (ICC), followed by immediate disconnection of an infant from its mother and subsequent relocation to a separate resuscitation platform, is the current mode of practice when respiratory support is required at birth (Hutchon and Bettles 2016). This practice is supported by a World Health Organization (WHO) (2012) guideline on basic newborn resuscitation. However, this recommendation is based upon weak evidence that was developed for hastened uterotonic drug administration, to prevent the incidence of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) (Hutchon 2015). However, WHO (2012) continues to suggest ventilation before cord occlusion if practitioners experienced in intact cord resuscitation (ICR) are present. While midwives conduct neonatal resuscitation, they also facilitate delayed cord clamping (DCC) for at least 60 seconds, which is recommended by National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) (2014) for many documented benefits. However, compromised neonates are excluded from this (NICE 2014), and may be the population most in need of DCC during resuscitation (Hutchon 2015), as demonstrated by the stabilising haemodynamic effect of initiating ventilation before cord clamping in neonatal lambs (Bhatt et al 2013). This may provide a protective mechanism against intraventricular haemorrhage and cerebral injury, which are known risks in neonates requiring resuscitation. The aim of this work is to investigate and review ICR for term infants, in order to support ICR adoption into midwifery practice, through literature review. Studies included were publications within the past five years: quantitative studies, qualitative studies and reviews involving term or late-preterm human infants.
