by Angela S. Young

Created on: November 19, 2011   Last Updated: November 24, 2011

For many years, doctors in developed countries have clamped and cut the umbilical cord almost immediately after birth before delivering the placenta.  New research questions this practice and offers the possibility that allowing time for the placenta blood to enter the child before cutting has many benefits to the child.  While more research is needed, findings so far lend credence to delaying umbilical cord cutting for at least 3 minutes. The following are some reasons why delayed cord cutting may be beneficial.

1.  Improved iron levels.  One benefit to the child with delayed cord cutting is improved iron levels.  Medical News Today cites a study conducted in Sweden using 400 full term babies who were born to women with low-risk pregnancies.  Some of the babies had their cord cut quickly and others were given at least 3 minutes before their cord was cut.  At the conclusion of the study, it was found that at 4 months of age the delayed cut infants’ iron levels were better than the quick cut infants.  Researchers also noted fewer cases of neonatal anemia with delayed cord cutting.

2. Better blood counts.  Allowing all the placenta blood time to enter the child before the cord is cut has another benefit, it gives the baby better blood counts.   A higher blood count offers the infant better immunity health.  Studies are needed to see if this benefit continues long term, but at the baby’s most vulnerable time, early infancy, it offers a boost.

According to a HealthDay article, some are concerned with the practice of saving umbilical chord blood for future need of the child.  The blood is rich in beneficial stem cells that could be used later should the child get cancer.  Some proponents suggest that allowing this stem cell rich blood to enter the child at birth would be a much better use and more healthy in the long run.  In an article on the subject, Gloria Lemay states, “That blood is designed by Nature to go into that child’s body at birth, not 30 years later!”

3.  Better bonding.  Not cutting the pulsing cord may also “slow down the ‘fire drill’ energy” of those attending to the birth. In the rush to make sure everything gets done, the focus becomes on completing all the tasks instead of allowing baby and parents time to bond first.  Lemay says this leaves “undisturbed bonding time without a ‘project’ going on.” 

4.  Changing the Rh negative problem.  While many attribute delayed cord cutting with the possibility of baby’s blood entering mom’s blood stream and causing problems, Robert S Mendelsohn, M.D. “blames the whole Rh neg problem on too quick clamping of the chord” in his book “How to Have a Healthy Child In Spite of Your Doctor.” While this has yet to have enough studies to prove it, it is worth looking into as a benefit for delaying umbilical cord cutting.

“Delayed chord clamping was not connected with any health side effects,” according to the Sweden study.  Preliminary studies have shown benefits for baby and mom in delaying chord cutting after birth, but more research is needed before this becomes standard practice.  Studies have not shown benefits for high-risk pregnancies where the activity at birth needs to go quickly, but for the average, healthy birth, leaving the pulsing cord attached to baby for at least 3 minutes could have long-term health benefits for the newborn.

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