Delayed Cord Clamping: Why It Matters

One of the first gifts you can give your baby is time—the time to complete their journey into the world through the simple, yet powerful act of delayed cord clamping. This practice, which involves waiting a short period after birth—typically 30 seconds to a few minutes—before clamping and cutting the umbilical cord, can make a world of difference in those early moments.

At birth, the umbilical cord is still at work, carrying oxygen and nutrients as your baby transitions to life outside the womb. Giving the cord a little extra time to pulse allows your newborn to receive a final transfer of blood, rich with essential iron and oxygen, which supports a strong start. These moments can be magical—a pause that not only nurtures your baby’s body but also welcomes them with gentleness.

Why It Matters

The extra blood your baby receives during delayed cord clamping helps increase their iron stores, reducing the risk of anemia and supporting brain development. For preterm babies especially, this can be a lifeline, helping stabilize their blood pressure and strengthening their cardiovascular system. As simple as this choice is, its benefits are profound and long-lasting, laying a solid foundation for growth and health.

Delayed cord clamping also helps regulate your baby’s breathing, heart rate, and temperature in those critical first minutes. Many parents find that waiting for the cord to stop pulsing allows them to fully experience the intimacy of these first moments, often while holding their baby skin-to-skin, creating a beautiful beginning to their bond.

How to Include Delayed Cord Clamping in Your Birth Plan

When planning for your birth, talk with your healthcare provider and your support team, including your doula, about delayed cord clamping. While this practice is increasingly common in many hospitals and birth centers, expressing your wishes is a great way to set the stage. Your doula can help communicate these preferences and ensure everyone is on the same page.

There may be situations where immediate medical attention is needed for you or your baby, and your healthcare team will prioritize safety. But in the absence of complications, this choice is an easy, natural way to enhance your baby’s entry into the world.

Trusting Your Choices

Advocating for delayed cord clamping is just one of the ways you can help your baby start life with a little extra support. By learning about this practice and speaking up for it, you’re already stepping into your role as a fierce protector and nurturer. Remember, these are your precious first moments together, and every choice you make can honor this new life.

Embrace the power of this choice, knowing that you are providing a gentle, nourishing start for your little one as you both step into the incredible journey of parenthood.