✂️ Why it matters to wait to Cut the Umbilical Cord ✂️
- Anne Matei
- Sep 12
- 4 min read
Big disclaimer here, I am not a medical professional! I am basing the information below on research from trusted sources and official recommendations, cited below. As a doula, I often encourage families to learn about delayed cord clamping VS immediate cord clamping. Get informed, so that you can form your preferences, for your birth, and your baby!
In modern times, we started to cut the cord immediately after birth, although this practice is not evidenced based at all! On the flip side, delaying the cord clamping has been now deeply studied and evidence is very clear: it is very beneficial to the baby, both for preterm babies and full term babies.
What Is Delayed Cord Clamping?
Delayed cord clamping (DCC, or Spätes Abnabeln in German) means waiting before cutting the cord. Instead of clamping immediately, we allow time usually or until the cord has stopped visibly pulsing—for more essential blood to flow from the placenta to the baby.
The placenta and cord are part of your baby’s circulatory system, and waiting lets them receive their full blood volume.
Why It Matters
Big disclaimer here, I am not a medical professional! I am basing the information below on research from trusted sources and official recommendations, cited below.
Think about it this way... about 1/3 of your baby's blood is still in the placenta and cord...
Cutting the cord early means depriving the baby from their precious blood containing crucial elements, including iron and stem cells that support early development.
A Gentler Transition
That blood volume that is in the placenta and cord helps stabilize your baby’s breathing and circulation during the dramatic shift from womb to world. In preterm babies, delayed clamping lowers the risk of brain bleeds and gut complications.
Also, even if your baby needed to be resuscitation, this may be done next to the mother with an intact cord: BUT, this is really dependent of the situation. Talk to your birth team about this and discuss what their thoughts and possibilities are for this, if this is your preference. Understand risk/benefits/alternatives.
More Iron, Less Anemia
Babies who experience delayed cord clamping have higher hemoglobin at birth and better iron stores for months afterwards. Iron is critical for brain development, and iron deficiency anemia in infancy is linked to developmental delays.
Long-Term Benefits
Some follow-up studies even suggest better motor and social development in children who had delayed cord clamping as infants. It’s a small act at birth with potential long-lasting effects.
What About the Risks?
Research indicates that the main trade-off is a higher chance that the baby may develop jaundice needing phototherapy. In most settings, this is easy to monitor and treat.
In rare cases of complications with the placenta, clamping earlier may be necessary.
Statements such as the idea that a baby’s blood would flow back into the placenta if the cord isn’t cut right away are scientifically unfounded.
What Do the Guidelines Say?
Here’s what leading health organizations recommend:
World Health Organization (WHO): Don’t clamp earlier than 1 minute; ideally wait 1–3 minutes unless urgent resuscitation is needed.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG): Wait at least 30–60 seconds for vigorous term and preterm babies.
German Guidelines (DGGG, S3-Leitlinie Vaginale Geburt am Termin):
The cord should not be clamped earlier than 1 minute after birth unless there is a medical emergency.
Ideally, clamping should happen within 5 minutes.
Waiting until the cord stops pulsating is explicitly supported as a valid alternative, especially if parents wish this - according to the official German guideline from DGGG.
In practice, this means that in many German hospitals, delayed cord clamping of at least 1 minute is the standard. Families who prefer to wait longer up to 5 minutes or until the cord stops pulsing, should express that preference.
How to Include This in Your Birth Plan
If delayed cord clamping is important to you, make sure you have this conversation with your care team:
Talk with your provider ahead of time. Ask what their usual practice is and whether they support waiting until the cord stops pulsing.
Include it in your birth plan. A simple line such as: “We would like the cord to remain intact until it stops pulsating, unless there is an urgent medical reason to clamp earlier.”
„Wir möchten, dass die Nabelschnur intakt bleibt, bis sie aufgehört hat zu pulsieren, es sei denn, es besteht ein dringender medizinischer Grund, sie früher abzunabeln.“
Pair it with skin-to-skin. While you hold your baby on your chest, the placenta continues to share its rich supply of blood and oxygen.
What about for a C-section?
Some places still offer delayed cord clamping with C-sections, not always.
This is definitely something to discuss ahead of time with your care team to understand possibilities, risk/benefits. There is a lot of evidence showing how this practice of waiting to cut the cord is especially beneficial to C-section babies.
A Natural, Powerful Gift
Birth is full of decisions, big and small. Delayed cord clamping is one of the simplest, most natural ways to give your baby an extra start in life.
✨ As a doula, I believe that informed choices empower families. If this resonates with you, I encourage you to explore the research, talk with your care team, and decide what feels right for your family.✨
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