Delayed Cord Clamping: What are the Benefits?
During your birth classes or pregnancy research, you have likely already learned how the baby is connected to the placenta via the umbilical cord. This cord provides the passage for nutrients and oxygen from the mother to the baby and carries waste away from the baby.
As you deliver your baby, the cord is still attached and needs to be clamped and cut accordingly. Midwives generally prefer a pathway of delayed cord clamping for numerous reasons.
What is delayed cord clamping?
Delayed cord clamping is the practice of waiting to clamp and cut the umbilical cord until there is no pulse, indicating no circulation between the placenta and the baby. This is contrary to an earlier medical practice that involved immediately clamping and cutting the cord after the baby’s birth.
This extra time allows all blood and nutrients to flow back to the baby, increasing their hemoglobin levels and iron stores which can positively impact development later.
How long should cord clamping be delayed?
We wait until the cord stops pulsing before clamping. Sometimes, we even wait until the placenta is delivered. ACOG recommends waiting a minimum of 30 seconds before clamping the cord, but one can wait longer.
What are the cons of delayed cord clamping?
Delayed cord clamping may be associated with a slight increase in risk for jaundice. This may require medical attention and proper treatment to prevent complications.
Can you do immediate skin-to-skin with delayed cord clamping?
Yes, skin-to-skin contact can be initiated as soon as the baby is born, even when the cord is still intact. The miwife can place the baby on the mother’s chest while they wait to clamp the cord and then clamp and cut the cord accordingly.
What about if you are doing cord blood banking?
For cord blood banking, we can still perform a shorter delayed cord clamping, as some circulation is required to collect blood. We clamp the cord for around 30 seconds, wait until the pulsation has slowed, and then cut to collect blood.