Delayed Cord Clamping: Safety, Benefits, And Side Effects

A minute more with the cord — worthy of a lifetime of benefits.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Swati Chitnis, MS, DNB Dr. Swati Chitnis Dr. Swati ChitnisMS, DNB MomJunction on FacebookFollow MomJunction on LinkedinFollow MomJunction on Instagram Specialty: Obstetrics & GynecologyExperience: 8 years
Written by , BDS, CLC Dr. Ritika Shah BDS, CLC Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Dental and General Health, LactationExperience: 10 years
Edited by , BSc Rebecca Malachi BSc Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Pregnancy, Health and WellnessExperience: 12 years
Fact-checked by , M.Pharm, PhD Dr. Joyani Das M.Pharm, PhD Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Pharma, Health and WellnessExperience: 3.5 years
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A baby with a cord clamping

Image: iStock

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 premature 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.

In This Article

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.

How Does Delayed Cord Clamping Work?

Umbilical cord clamping after it turns white

Image: IStock

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 a baby was born. However, with increasing evidence about delayed cord clamping, a baby’s 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).

protip_icon Research finds
About 80% of newborns in the US have their umbilical cords clamping delayed by more than one minute (17).

What Are The Benefits Of Delayed Cord Clamping?

With delayed cord clamping, you are providing several benefits to your newborn.

  • Reduces anemia risk

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 (6). The extra blood flow 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 (7).

  • Alleviates the risk of bleeding in the brain

Research indicates that preterm babies are at a higher risk of intraventricular hemorrhageiA 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 (8).

  • Improves myelin content

Researchers have observed that when monitored at 12th months old, babies who had delayed cord clamping exhibited higher myeliniAn 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 (9).

  • 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 (10).

protip_icon 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 (18).

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 bilirubini. Research highlights that bilirubiniA yellowish compound produced by the liver to break down old red blood cells and aid in the digestion of food . is harmful to fetal development and brain functioning. DCC may lead to neonatal jaundice. PhototherapyiAn intentional exposure of babies’ skin to bright light for the treatment of jaundice since their birth helps in treating babies with increased bilirubin levels (11).

Jaundice in newborns

Image: Shutterstock

  • 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 (11).

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 (11).

Respiratory distress in term and preterm infants

Image: Shutterstock

protip_icon 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 (18).

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 are approaching your delivery date, you can consider opting for DCC after getting your healthcare provider’s consent.

Do note the procedure can be subject to various factors noted by the doctor during childbirth. For instance, your doctor may abandon delayed cord clamping and clamp the cord immediately if your baby is born sick and needs prompt medical attention. The doctor will suggest whether it is safe based on your and your baby’s health during childbirth.

protip_icon Did you know?
Contrary to popular belief, DCC does not increase women’s chances of developing postpartum hemorrhageiA serious medical condition characterized by excessive vaginal bleeding that may be fatal when left untreated. (PPH) (11).

Frequently Asked Questions

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 (12).

2. Can I 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 (13)

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 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 (14).

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 (15).

6. What is the difference between delayed cord clamping and cord blood banking?

In delayed cord clamping, cutting the umbilical cord is delayed by a few minutes. It acts like a physiological blood transfusion for the newborn providing enough iron reserves for the initial days. Whereas, cord blood banking is when blood is collected and stored from the umbilical cord after delivery. The blood is collected right after the umbilical cord is cut. Cord blood is a rich source of stem cells that may be used to treat certain serious diseases. It is usually donated to public or private cord blood banks. Cord blood can be life saving for someone requiring a stem cell transplant (1) (16).

Doctors and obstetricians across the globe promote delayed cord clamping. Several reputed associations, such as WHO and ACOG, support delayed cord clamping for its evidence-based 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 protocol in your birth plan. (17)

Infographic: When To Avoid Delayed Cord Clamping For Your Baby

Despite the proven advantages of delayed cord clamping, there may be some health conditions where the doctor may recommend opting out of the procedure for the health of the baby and the mother. Check out this infographic, where we outline various conditions of pregnancy where delayed cord clamping might do more harm than good.

conditions to avoid delayed cord clamping (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Discover the benefits of delayed cord clamping for newborns. Discover how it can improve their health and well-being from a neonatalogist in this video.

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.
  1. Delayed umbilical cord clamping for improved maternal and infant health and nutrition outcomes.
    https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/148793/9789241508209_eng.pdf
  2. Delayed Cord Clamping.
    https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/labor-and-birth/delayed-cord-clamping/
  3. 4 Reasons to Consider Delayed Cord Clamping.
    https://www.muhealth.org/our-stories/4-reasons-consider-delayed-cord-clamping#:~:text=Delayed%20cord%20clamping%20means%20that
  4. Delayed (optimal) cord clamping.
    https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/giving-birth/delayed-cord-clamping-optimal#:~:text=It%20is%20normal%20practice%20to
  5. Skin-to-Skin Bonding (Kangaroo Care).
    https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/conditions-services/pregnancy-childbirth/postpartum-recovery-bonding/skin-to-skin-kangaroo-care#:~:text=If%20you%20choose%20delayed%20cord
  6. Raju Tonse NK and Nalini Singhal; (2012); Optimal timing for clamping the umbilical cord after birth.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3835342/#:~:text=In%20term%20infants%2C%20one%2Dminute
  7. Lemyre Brigitte et al.; (2015); Minimizing blood loss and the need for transfusions in very premature infants.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4699539/
  8. Vesoulis Zachary A. Steve M. Liao and Amit M. Mathur; (2019); Delayed cord clamping is associated with improved dynamic cerebral autoregulation and decreased incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage in preterm infants.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6692745/
  9. Mercer Judith S. et al.; (2022); The effects of delayed cord clamping on 12-month brain myelin content and neurodevelopment: a randomized controlled trial.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32702760/#:~:text=Conclusion%3A%20At%2012%20months%20of
  10. Delayed Umbilical Cord Clamping After Birth.
    https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2020/12/delayed-umbilical-cord-clamping-after-birth
  11. Regenerative medicine.
    https://www.aabb.org/news-resources/resources/cellular-therapies/facts-about-cellular-therapies/regenerative-medicine
  12. Sun Meiling et al.; (2017); Delayed umbilical cord clamping in cesarean section reduces postpartum bleeding and the rate of severe asphyxia.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29714858/
  13. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and Committee on Obstetric Practice; (2020); Delayed umbilical cord clamping after birth.
    https://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/Fulltext/2020/12000/Delayed_Umbilical_Cord_Clamping_After_Birth__ACOG.37.aspx
  14. Delayed clamping of the umbilical cord to reduce infant anemia.
    https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/120074/WHO_RHR_14.19_eng.pdf;jsessionid=B937EB98AE77EFC0ACF379974F4E29B9?sequence=1
  15. Katheria
    Anup C. et al.; (2015); Umbilical cord milking versus delayed cord clamping in preterm infants.
  16. Cord Blood Banking.
    https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/23981-cord-blood-banking
  17. Prevalence of Delayed Cord Clamping Among U.S. Hospitals by Facility Characteristics.
    https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/111333/cdc_111333_DS1.pdf
  18. What You Should Know About Delayed Cord Clamping After Birth.
    https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-you-should-know-about-delayed-cord-clamping-after-birth/#:~:text=Bilirubin%20can%20be%20harmful%20for

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Dr. Swati Chitnis
Dr. Swati ChitnisMS, DNB
Dr. Swati Chitnis is a gynecologist and endoscopic surgeon with over 8 years of experience. She did her bachelor in medicine at BJ Medical College & Sassoon Hospital, Pune, India  and MS at the prestigious King Edward Memorial Hospital, Mumbai.

Read full bio of Dr. Swati Chitnis
Dr. Ritika Shah
Dr. Ritika ShahBDS, CLC
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.

Read full bio of Dr. Ritika Shah
Rebecca Malachi
Rebecca MalachiBSc
Rebecca is a pregnancy writer and editor with a passion for delivering research-based and engaging content in areas of fertility, pregnancy, birth, and post-pregnancy. She did her graduation in Biotechnology and Genetics from Loyola Academy, Osmania University and obtained a certification in ‘Nutrition and Lifestyle in Pregnancy’ from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU).

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Dr. Joyani Das
Dr. Joyani DasM.Pharm, PhD
Dr. Joyani Das did her post-graduation from Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra and PhD in Pharmacology. Previously, she worked as an associate professor, faculty of Pharmacology, for two years. With her research background in preclinical studies and a zeal for scientific writing, she joined MomJunction as a health writer.

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