Delayed cord clamping is a practice where the clamping and cutting of the umbilical cord is postponed. Babies are born with approximately two thirds of their blood supply. By choosing to wait, you are allowing your baby to receive as much blood as possible.
✨5 Benefits of Delayed Cord Clamping ✨
32% more blood volume
Increases iron reserves by 27-47 mg (critical for nerve pathways)
Reduces the risk of anemia
Reduces the risk of intraventricular hemorrhage
Continues to provide support as your baby transitions to life outside the womb
This is just one of the many options women have during the birthing process. It is important to become knowledgeable in all of your choices so you can make decisions like waiting to cut your baby’s cord. It is also your choice how long to wait. In hospital settings providers who practice delayed cord clamping often wait 60 seconds. Of course families can advocate for more time allowing the placenta to transfer as much blood to the baby as possible. In home birth settings I see families wait at least an hour. You can also choose to do a cord burning ceremony and/or lotus birth if you want a few more topics to research.