Delayed cord clamping (DCC) has become a standard practice during child’s birth for its significant benefits. The procedure delays umbilical cord severance by a few minutes after childbirth. According to the WHO, cutting the cord is carried out more than one minute after birth or when the umbilical cord has stopped pulsating (1). Delayed cord clamping gives some more time for the beneficial nutrients from the blood in the cord and placenta to travel to the baby (2). Both term and preterm infants continue receiving the benefits of this procedure for several days after birth.
However, you should also be aware of some risks of the procedure. Read on to learn more about delayed cord clamping, its benefits, when to avoid it, and how to include it in your birth plan.
How Does Delayed Cord Clamping Work?
Umbilical cord aids in the transfer of vital nutrients and oxygen from the mother to the baby in utero. After the baby is born, though they do not need the umbilical cord, the cord and the placenta may have over-retained blood and nutrients that may help the baby in more than one way (3).
Until a few years ago, the umbilical cord was typically cut immediately after the baby was born. However, with the increasing evidence about delayed cord clamping, the umbilical cord is clamped and cut after it turns white or stops pulsating. As the blood drains out, the doctor may be able to feel the stopped pulsation by simply holding the cord in their fingers (4).
After midwives cut the cord, they conduct routine check-ups of the baby. Additionally, if you wish to establish skin-to-skin contact, you can do it before the umbilical cord is cut (5).
Research finds
About 80% of newborns in the US have their umbilical cords clamping delayed by more than one minute (6).
What Are The Benefits Of Delayed Cord Clamping?
With delayed cord clamping, you are providing several benefits to your newborn.
Delaying cord clamping by one to three minutes can help the baby get at least 80-100ml of additional blood from the placenta into circulation (7). The extra blood from DCC may add about 40-50mg/kg of iron to the baby’s body. This additional iron can significantly reduce the risk of iron deficiency anemia and associated risks (2).
- Increases blood volume and RBC count
Delayed cord clamping can help increase the infant’s RBC volume by 60% and the blood volume by 30% (2). The extra blood allows the baby to adapt to the changes and life outside the womb.
- Limits the need for blood transfusions in the future
Research outlines that preterm babies may be more likely to need blood transfusions. Delayed cord clamping in preterm babies who do not require immediate resuscitation can significantly reduce their need for blood transfusion (8).
- Alleviates the risk of bleeding in the brain
Research indicates that preterm babies are at a higher risk of intraventricular hemorrhageiXA form of bleeding into the ventricles that are surrounded by the human brain and often observed in premature babies . Clinical studies have shown that delayed cord clamping has improved the autoregulation of cerebral function, reducing the chances of brain bleeding in newborns (9).
Researchers have observed that when monitored at 12th months old, babies who had delayed cord clamping exhibited higher myeliniXAn insulating sheath that surrounds nerve cells for quick transmission of electric impulses content in the brain regions associated with sensory, visual, and motor functions of the body. It indicates that delayed cord clamping improves the baby’s overall development significantly (10).
- Lowers the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis
In preterm infants, there is a high risk of necrotizing enterocolitis, a life-threatening condition characterized by intestinal inflammation, intestinal perforation, and bacterial leakage into the abdomen. Delayed cord clamping reduces the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants (11)
Did you know?
DCC transfers stem cells to your baby after birth (4), and ongoing research is exploring the uses of stem cells as a cure for several diseases, including type 1 diabetes, brain injury repair, and retaining cardiovascular function (12).
Are There Any Disadvantages Of Delayed Cord Clamping?
Despite the benefits, delayed cord clamping holds some disadvantages, and being aware of them helps you make an informed decision.
- Increased bilirubin levels
The extra blood that the baby receives may break down to form bilirubiniXA yellowish compound produced by the liver to break down old red blood cells and aid in the digestion of food . Research highlights that bilirubin is harmful to fetal development and brain functioning. DCC may lead to jaundice in newborns. PhototherapyiXAn intentional exposure of babies’ skin to bright light for the treatment of jaundice since their birth helps in treating babies with increased bilirubin levels (13).
- Respiratory distress in term and preterm infants
A full-term baby will have fluid filled in the lung. As soon as they begin breathing, some fluid gets pushed out, absorbed, or coughed out by the baby. The excess blood volume from DCC may reduce the free space available to accommodate this fluid. Some studies say this may cause respiratory distress, but it may be far-fetched to say that it causes breathing trouble in the baby (13).
There are speculations that DCC can cause breathing difficulties in preterm infants as their respiratory system may be underdeveloped. However, the available research is inconclusive (13)
Point to consider
DCC reduces the available blood volume for cord blood banking. However, the benefits of transfusion at birth outweigh the benefits of cord blood banking. You should consult your doctor to make an informed decision (12)
Can You Add DCC As Part Of Your Birth Plan?
The benefits of delayed cord clamping significantly outweigh the risks associated with it. Hence, if you will deliver your baby anytime soon, you can consider opting for DCC after getting your doctor’s consent. The doctor will suggest whether it is safe for you based on your and the fetus’s overall health.
Did you know?
Contrary to popular belief, DCC does not increase women’s chances of developing postpartum hemorrhageiXA serious medical condition characterized by excessive vaginal bleeding that may be fatal when left untreated. (PPH) (13)
1. Can I have delayed cord clamping with a cesarean section?
Small-scale research has shown that it is safe for you to have a cesarean section and delayed cord clamping for your baby (14).
2. Can I still preserve blood from the cord for medical research?
It is possible to preserve the blood from the cord after delayed cord clamping for medical research. However, delayed cord clamping may reduce the blood volume needed for collection. The bank and the hospital team need to collect the blood as soon as possible for a higher volume (15)
3. Does delayed cord clamping increase birth weight?
The current research does not support or establish any link between cord clamping and birth weight.
4. Can I still have delayed cord clamping if I am HIV-positive?
The WHO recommends that all mothers, including HIV-positive mothers, can opt for delayed cord clamping. The placental blood transfer during DCC is the same as during pregnancy and it is not found to increase the baby’s risk of contracting HIV from the mother (16).
5. What is the difference between delayed cord clamping and milking the cord?
Delayed cord clamping passively transfers blood from the cord and placenta to the baby without any physical intervention from medical professionals. In the milking of the cord, medical professionals use their fingers to push the blood out of the cord for a quicker and more efficient transfer. It is a relatively safe technique to save time (17).
Doctors across the globe promote delayed cord clamping. Several reputed associations, such as WHO and ACOG, support delayed cord clamping for its benefits for the baby. It carries minimal risks, and the benefits outweigh the risks considerably. Discuss it with your doctor during prenatal visits and tell them if you wish to include DCC in your birth plan. (18)
Key Pointers
- Delayed cord clamping transfers blood and iron from the maternal circulation to the newborn’s circulation.
- Reduced chances of anemia, need for blood transfusion, prevention of intraventricular hemorrhage, and necrotizing enterocolitis are some significant benefits.
- DCC may increase bilirubin levels leading to jaundice; however, phototherapy can help combat the condition.
- You can include it in your birth plan after consulting your doctor during prenatal visits.
References:
MomJunction’s articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.Was this article helpful?The following two tabs change content below.Dr. Ritika Shah is a certified lactation counsellor (CLC) from iNational Health Care Academy, Singapore and a dental surgeon with more than seven years of clinical experience across various cities in India. She did her graduation in Dentistry from KM Shah Dental College. During her clinical practice, pediatric dentistry was her particular area of interest, and she constantly thrived to…
View Profile ›
