Umbilical cord row

Oct 24 2007

A father challenged hospital bosses to reverse a ban on dads cutting their baby's umbilical cords.

Nick Bird reckoned South Tyneside NHS Trust was the only one in the country to prohibit the practice, which he felt would be a vital part of the bonding process when his daughter is born next month.

Mr Bird, 38, from South Shields, South Tyneside, said: "This is the only thing a father can do at the birth."

He was told the hospital banned relatives from cutting the cord 10 years ago after a grandmother accidentally cut off a baby's toe.