Cutting the Umbilical Cord

In the past several decades, the protocol for cutting the umbilical cord at birth has traditionally been to immediately clamp and cut it after the baby emerges from the womb. Recent research shows that this practice may not only be unnecessary, but actually compromises the baby’s health by depriving him of his full blood supply. Understanding the research can help you make an informed choice when it comes to cutting your baby’s umbilical cord.

Instructions

1. Prepare for the birth of your baby by educating yourself about the benefits of delayed cord cutting. There are no known benefits of immediate cord clamping and cutting; it is a longstanding practice because it speeds up the process of getting the baby weighed and cleaned. According to a study by Judith Mercer, CNM, et al. cutting the umbilical cord immediately after birth reduces the transfer of red blood cells to the baby by up to 50 percent.

2. Consider the possibility of delayed cord clamping if your baby is born prematurely. According to research published in the Journal of Pediatrics, waiting just a minute to cut the umbilical cord has a protective effect for low-birth-weight babies against conditions such as intraventricular hemorrhage and late-onset sepsis, which is an infection.

3. Talk to your midwife or doctor about your preferences for cutting the baby’s umbilical cord. Don’t be intimidated to point out that the evidence is clear that delayed cord cutting is best for the baby and reduces the chances of anemia later in the baby’s first year.

4. Take charge of the decisions surrounding your baby’s birth and the way you want the cord cutting to be handled. If the baby is healthy at birth, there is no reason the cord needs to be clamped and cut right away. The cord typically stops pulsing within three to five minutes, during which time you can pull the baby up to your chest and enjoy those first precious bonding moments.

Tips & Warnings

• Don’t assume your midwife will automatically delay cord cutting. Surveys have found that two-thirds of certified nurse midwives cut the umbilical cord before it has stopped pulsing.

• If you decide delayed cord clamping is important to you, post your partner or doula at the end of the bed during the birth to make sure that your wishes are carried out.

• Having cesarean surgery doesn’t mean the cord must be cut right away. Talk to your surgeon about waiting at least 45 seconds to cut the umbilical cord if you have a surgical birth.

Resources

• The Dangers of Early Cord Clamping
• Cordclamp.com