It’s fair to say that I learnt a lot after I discovered I was pregnant!
I’ve always been a person that likes to research, but the prospect of giving birth unlocked a whole new level of obsessive Googling.
One of the things that I came across was Cord Clamping. Now, I did biology, I had a fairly rough idea of what the cord did for baby, but other than that I hadn’t given it much thought. Turns out that cord clamping and cutting was a whole thing that I was going to have to make a decision on! Who knew ! So…just for you…here’s everything I learnt to help you make your choices too.
What is the purpose of the cord?
The umbilical cord is a vital lifeline between a mother and their baby during pregnancy. It connects the baby to the placenta, which is attached to the uterine wall. Through this cord, the baby receives everything it needs to grow and develop.
Even though babies don’t use their lungs in the womb, they still need oxygen. The umbilical cord carries oxygen-rich blood from the placenta (which gets oxygen from the mother’s blood) to the baby. The cord also provide essential nutrients and removes waste.
What is cord clamping ?
Cord clamping refers to the act of placing a clamp on the umbilical cord to stop blood flow between the placenta and the newborn after birth. It’s a routine part of delivery, but the timing of this action—whether it’s done immediately or after a delay—can have important effects on the newborn’s health.
There are generally two types:
- Immediate Cord Clamping (ICC): Clamping the cord within the first 15–30 seconds after birth.
- Delayed Cord Clamping (DCC): Waiting up to 3 minutes, or until the cord stops pulsing before clamping.
Why Timing Matters
Research over the past decade has shown that delayed cord clamping offers a number of health benefits;
- Increased Blood Volume and Iron Stores
- Delaying the clamp allows up to 30% more blood to transfer from the placenta to the baby. This can improve the baby’s iron levels and reduce the risk of anemia in infancy.
- Better Circulation and Oxygenation
- That extra blood contains oxygen-rich red blood cells, helping babies transition more smoothly from womb to world.
- Some research suggests that increased iron levels may be linked to better neurodevelopmental outcomes later in childhood
Strong research shows that delaying cord clamping can also help save the lives of premature babies and significantly improve their overall health outcomes.
What Do Guidelines Say?
Leading health Organisations now recommend delayed cord clamping in most births:
- World Health Organization (WHO): Recommends waiting 1–3 minutes
I asked for delayed cord clamping during my labour. When my daughter was born, she was placed straight onto my chest with the cord still attached. That gave us a beautiful moment of skin-to-skin contact while the cord continued to pulse. When the time was right, my husband cut the cord—it was a really special bonding moment for all of us.
So there you have it—everything I learned about cord clamping. It’s such a small part of birth, but one that can make a meaningful difference. I hope this helps you feel informed and empowered to make the choice that’s right for you and your baby.