3 Reasons to Delay Cutting the Cord
A growing number of parents are choosing delayed cord clamping for their baby. I first learned about this practice during a natural birthing course I attended. Delayed cord clamping is when the umbilical cord is not clamped or cut until after it stops pulsating or until after the placenta is delivered. During this time, nutrient rich blood and oxygen continues to pulse from the placenta to the baby and two arteries carry carbon dioxide rich blood and waste away from baby to the placenta for purification until the pulses naturally stop around three minutes. Delayed cord clamping is even more important for preterm infants, and some hospitals are now making it a general protocol.
After learning the benefits of delayed cord clamping, I knew it was what I wanted in my birth plan. Below is a brief explanation of a few of the benefits.
1. Decreased Risk of Anemia
The natural transfusion of blood by delayed cord clamping delivers a substantial amount of iron. One study found that waiting two to three minutes to cut the cord increased iron levels by 30 to 35mg. The extra iron is stored and becomes your baby’s main source of iron until they start eating solid foods. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, delayed cord clamping may even prevent iron deficiency during the first year of life.
2. Increased Blood Volume
Research has found that delayed cord clamping allows 20 to 40mL more blood to pulse from the placenta to the baby. Babies whose cords are clamped after two to three minutes have an increased total blood volume compared to babies who were immediately clamped. The increased volume of blood naturally increases blood platelet levels, which are needed for normal blood clotting.
3. Increased Stem Cells
Delayed clamping also results in an infusion of stem cells. Stem cells are essential in the development of the immune, respiratory, cardiovascular, and central nervous systems, among many other functions. Stem cells may also “help to repair any brain damage the baby might have suffered during a difficult birth" Dr. Rabe.
Is delayed cord clamping possible for cesarean births?
Depending on your doctor, yes. Delayed cord clamping and umbilical cord milking are approaches the doctor may consider at the time of cesarean delivery to facilitate placental blood transfer to the newborn.
If delayed cord clamping sounds like something you want for you and your baby, make sure to write it in your birth plan. It is important that your partner, Doctor, and nurses all know.
*Note
If a baby is born in distress and needs immediate attention, it may not be practical to care for them while the cord is still attached. However, some pediatricians may adjust their protocols to do some procedures at the bedside, allowing the cord to remain attached.
