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Cord Gases

Published April, 2022

Requirements for cord gas collection have changed. During the June 2021 WH OB Section meeting the decision was made to start collecting cord gases on all deliveries starting July 2021. The first 2 months collection compliance was 76 percent but then started to decline. In the early months of 2022 universal cord gas collection was at 29 percent. 

During the April 2022 WH OB Section meeting it was discussed that universal cord gas collection was no longer required. For best practice OB Providers should continue to collect cord gases on newborns that meet criteria. 

Criteria listed below:

  • 5 min APGAR <7 (excluded infants <28wks)
  • Shoulder Dystocia
  • Operative Vaginal Delivery
  • Fetal intolerance to labor with unscheduled C-Section
  • Newborns > 36wk requiring respiratory resuscitation
  • Cord Prolapse
  • Placental Abruption
  • Uterine Rupture

If you still wish to perform universal cord gases on your deliveries please feel free to continue this practice.