Delayed cord clamping (DCC) means waiting a short while after birth to clamp and cut the baby’s umbilical cord, instead of doing it right away. This short pause can offer many benefits for newborns, including higher blood volume, better iron levels, and improved early development. For many years, doctors clamped cords quickly, mostly out of habit and limited research. Now, with more studies showing the positives of waiting before clamping, delayed cord clamping is becoming more common. This article explains what DCC is, how long you should wait, its main benefits for both full-term and premature babies, and looks at possible risks or situations where it may not be advised.
What is delayed cord clamping?
Delayed cord clamping (DCC) means leaving the cord connected between the mother and baby for a short time after birth, instead of cutting it right away. During this waiting period, blood from the placenta continues to move into the newborn, giving the baby important red blood cells, iron, and stem cells. This final transfer, called “placental transfusion,” has often been missed in the past when cords were clamped too quickly.
For a long time, most birth attendants clamped the cord within 10 to 30 seconds after delivery. This was mainly because of a tradition and a focus on getting the baby examined quickly, especially if doctors expected any problems. Research now shows that clamping the cord so fast can make the baby miss out on a good amount of blood and its benefits.
How does delayed cord clamping work?
The main idea behind delayed cord clamping is to keep the link between the baby and placenta a little longer after birth. While in the womb, the cord brings the baby oxygen and nutrition. After the baby is born and starts breathing, the placenta still holds a lot of blood left for the baby. If doctors wait to clamp the cord, this blood flows into the newborn.
According to studies:
- Clamping the cord within 10-15 seconds gives the baby about 67% of the possible cord blood.
- Waiting until the baby is one minute old increases this to about 80%.
- Most of the transfer happens in the first three minutes, and the baby’s first breaths help pull blood from the placenta.
Standard timing versus delayed cord clamping
Earlier, “early clamping” meant cutting the cord within one minute, while “late clamping” meant waiting more than five minutes. Today, new advice suggests at least 30-60 seconds before clamping. Immediate clamping used to be popular for quick baby care, but waiting has now shown more health benefits. Delaying allows the baby to get the full supply of blood nature meant it to have, helping the baby adjust better to life outside the womb.
What is the recommended timing for delayed cord clamping?
Researchers and health groups have looked at when is best to delay cord clamping. While times can vary depending on the situation, most experts agree on a minimum delay of 30-60 seconds after birth for healthy babies who don’t need immediate help.
| Organization | Recommended Delay | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ACOG (USA) | 30-60 seconds | For most full-term and preterm babies who are breathing well |
| WHO | Minimum 1 minute | Unless the baby requires immediate help |
| American Academy of Pediatrics | 30-60 seconds | Unless urgent care is needed |
| Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists | 2-5 minutes | Longer delays are often suggested |
| American College of Nurse-Midwives | 2-5 minutes | May wait until the cord stops pulsating |
Timing for term and preterm babies
The length of the delay can be changed based on the baby’s condition. For healthy, full-term babies, waiting at least 30-60 seconds helps raise blood and iron levels, which can prevent iron deficiency later. For premature babies, even a short 30-60 second wait can help lower risks of serious conditions by improving circulation, giving more red blood cells, and lowering the need for transfusions. The doctor and birth team will always decide the safest approach in each case.
How does delayed cord clamping benefit newborns?
Delaying cord clamping gives babies a strong start by allowing more blood to move from the placenta to them after birth. This simple step improves several areas of the baby’s health and development.
- Higher blood volume and iron: The baby gets up to a third more blood, boosting red blood cells and iron, key for healthy growth.
- Less risk for anemia: Babies with more iron from DCC have a much lower chance of getting iron deficiency anemia, which can slow mental and physical development.
- Better brain development: More iron supports healthy brain growth. Some research suggests children with DCC do a little better in social and motor skills as they grow.
- Bigger benefits for premature babies: For preterm infants, DCC can cut the risk of needing a blood transfusion, gut problems like necrotizing enterocolitis, and brain bleeds.
- Helps early breathing: The extra blood helps the baby’s lungs get ready to take in oxygen, making it easier for them to breathe on their own and lowering chances of breathing problems soon after birth.
Are there benefits of delayed cord clamping for mothers?
Most of the advantages of DCC are for the baby. Some mothers once worried that waiting might raise their risk of heavy bleeding after birth. But many studies with thousands of women now show that waiting to clamp the cord does not result in more bleeding or lower iron levels for the mother.
Other points for mothers
- DCC does not stop doctors or nurses from giving medicines to help the mother’s uterus contract and limit bleeding.
- Mothers do not have higher rates of needing blood transfusions or developing anemia after birth when DCC is done.
- DCC works alongside standard care for mothers in the final stage of labor.
What are the possible risks or limits of delayed cord clamping?
Even though DCC has many pluses, there are a few things to watch out for. Doctors will always decide what is best for mother and baby in each case.
- Jaundice risk: There is a slight chance of more babies needing treatment for jaundice (yellowing of the skin). This is because the baby gets more red blood cells, and their breakdown creates bilirubin, which can build up. But babies are closely watched for jaundice anyway, and treatment is simple with special lights if needed.
- Not suitable for all births: If the baby needs immediate help at birth and is not breathing, the cord may have to be clamped quickly for doctors to start life-saving treatment. If the mother is at high risk for heavy bleeding or has problems like placenta previa, doctors may also need to clamp the cord sooner to focus on her safety.
Does delayed cord clamping affect cord blood banking?
Some parents want to save cord blood for possible future medical use. Since DCC lets more blood go to the baby, this often means there is less left to collect for banking after a delay.
Choosing between delayed clamping and cord blood banking
Families need to know that waiting to clamp the cord will usually lower the amount of blood-and stem cells-left for banking.
| Cord Clamping Type | Amount of Cord Blood for Banking | Immediate Benefits for Baby |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate | More blood/stem cells for banking | Misses placental transfusion |
| Delayed (30-60 sec or more) | Less blood/stem cells for banking | Full placental transfusion; more health benefits for baby |
Most doctors and scientists advise that, unless there is a specific reason for cord blood banking (like a sick sibling), the proven, immediate health gains from DCC for the newborn are much more important than saving cord blood for uncertain, future use. If families are thinking about cord blood banking, they should talk with their healthcare provider about these tradeoffs.