Delayed cord clamping is defined differently from hospital to hospital and even compared to home birth. It is the process of postponing cutting and clamping the umbilical cord after childbirth for anywhere from thirty seconds to a minute after birth to upwards of hours after the baby is born.
For a long time, delayed cord clamping was avoided because it was thought that the blood from the baby could be lost through the placenta if the cord was connected for extended amounts of time. Another reason some hospitals still don't practice delayed cord clamping is that research finds that a small number of infants need phototherapy lights for higher bilirubin levels when delayed cord clamping is practiced. Although phototherapy is not ideal, it would appear that the benefits of delayed cord clamping highly outweigh the risks.
The Benefits
Some benefits of delayed cord clamping include infants having higher hemoglobin and iron levels after birth that last through the first few months of life. Other benefits include improving the infant's transition from life in the womb to life here on earth, specifically if the infant needs resuscitation efforts. This is because, until the cord stops pulsing, the placenta can remain a lifeline as the newborn transitions from relying solely on it to living in a world without it. Another way delayed cord clamping has been seen as beneficial is how vigorous newborns are after birth, with an extension of connection and less need for blood transfusions or hemorrhage.
How Long Can You Keep It Connected?
Although most hospitals will only allow for delayed cord clamping for thirty to sixty seconds, research shows that leaving the newborn connected to the placenta until the cord stops pulsing is the most effective way to see many of the benefits listed above. It is common for most community midwives to leave newborns connected for a few hours while the new parents enjoy the golden hour and bonding time. Some parents even practice something called a Lotus Birth, which is where you leave the newborn connected to their placenta until the cord disconnects naturally. This typically takes seven to ten days and requires specific herbs to keep the placenta from decaying. You may have to put in some effort, but if you can advocate for your care providers to keep your newborn connected to the placenta until the cord is white and has completely stopped pulsing, that is a great place to start. I even knew a mom who was going in for a repeat cesarean section and told her care provider that she wished to have a lotus birth for religious reasons. Her baby was kept connected to the placenta, and once she was in the postpartum unit, she requested that they cut and clamp the umbilical cord. This gave her baby an entire three hours still connected to their placenta.
Should You Try It?
I firmly believe in weighing the risks and benefits of delayed cord clamping in each situation. If there is no way for your provider to give resuscitation efforts or oxygen to your baby without cutting the umbilical cord, then I am a big proponent of cutting and clamping right then and there. On the other hand, if your provider can do the resuscitation next to you while your baby stays connected, having that connection could make the resuscitation more effective. Another example is if you are hemorrhaging at a fast pace due to retained placenta and your provider needs to go in manually, I am once again concerned about disconnecting the baby from a very not gentle procedure. With all that said, I believe that most births are normal and natural, and, in most cases, babies can benefit from staying connected with their placentas.
Whatever you decide to do, make sure that it is what feels best to you, and do not be afraid to change your decision at any time. Only when we can see our situation clearly can we make an educated choice about how to best care for our newborn. Trust your gut, trust your research, and remember that birth and postpartum are great introductions to the work of being an advocate for your child.
