Delayed Cord Clamping
Delayed cord clamping is a practice where the umbilical cord is not clamped immediately after the birth of the baby, but rather is left intact for a period of time, typically between one and three minutes, or until the cord stops pulsating.
During delayed cord clamping, the baby continues to receive oxygen-rich blood from the placenta, which can improve their health and well-being in several ways, including:
Increased Blood Volume: Delayed cord clamping allows for more blood to transfer from the placenta to the baby, which can increase their blood volume and help prevent anemia.
Improved Iron Stores: The additional blood that the baby receives during delayed cord clamping can also increase their iron stores, which can help prevent iron deficiency anemia in the first year of life.
Improved Immune Function: Delayed cord clamping can also improve the baby's immune function by providing additional stem cells and other immune cells that are present in the blood transferred from the placenta.
Better Cardiovascular Stability: The additional blood volume from delayed cord clamping can also help stabilize the baby's cardiovascular system during the transition from fetal to neonatal life.
Improved Brain Development: There is some evidence to suggest that delayed cord clamping may also improve brain development and reduce the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders such as cerebral palsy.
Delayed cord clamping is generally considered safe and is recommended by several professional organizations, including the World Health Organization and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. However, there may be situations where delayed cord clamping is not recommended, such as in cases of fetal distress or when immediate resuscitation is needed.