What Every Expectant Mum Should Know About Delayed Cord Clamping

Bringing your baby into the world is a moment full of joy, and decisions. One of those decisions is when to clamp and cut your baby’s umbilical cord. You might hear terms like delayed cord clamping, optimal cord clamping, or physiological cord clamping. While it might sound technical, the basic idea is simple: wait before clamping the cord to let extra blood flow from the placenta to your baby.

This isn’t just tradition research shows real benefits for babies when cord clamping is delayed compared with clamping straight away.

What is Delayed Cord Clamping?

Delayed cord clamping (DCC) means waiting a period of time after birth before clamping and cutting the umbilical cord, usually at least 1–3 minutes, and in many birth settings until the cord stops pulsating.

It takes time for the placenta to transfer blood to your baby after birth, a process called placental transfusion, which supports your baby’s blood volume and iron stores.

Why Delay? The Benefits for Your Baby

1. More blood and better iron stores

When the cord isn’t clamped too early, extra blood full of iron-rich red cells continues to flow into your baby. This boosts their iron stores for months, reducing the risk of iron deficiency and anaemia in early infancy.

Iron is vital for healthy brain development and growth, especially in the first year of life. Babies born with more iron may be better protected against developmental delays associated with iron deficiency.

2. Stronger transition after birth

Studies show that this continued blood flow supports your baby’s circulation and oxygenation as they adjust to life outside the womb. In both term and preterm babies, DCC supports breathing and cardiovascular stability as the lungs take over from the placenta.

3. Reduced complications in preterm babies

If your baby is born early, delayed cord clamping becomes even more important:

• It reduces the risk of brain bleeding (intraventricular haemorrhage).

• It cuts the need for blood transfusions and lowers neonatal mortality.

  
  

These are meaningful long-term benefits shown in robust research and reflected in clinical guidelines worldwide.

How Long Should You Wait? Is Longer Better?

Most professional bodies (including NICE and the RCOG) recommend waiting at least 60 seconds before clamping the cord in healthy births unless there’s an urgent medical reason not to.

But research also suggests that:

• Waiting longer - until the cord turns white - can allow even more placental transfusion, pushing iron stores higher. Most of the placental blood transfer happens in the first few minutes.

• Midwives and birthing advocates often support keeping the cord intact until pulsations stop or the placenta is delivered.

• There is no evidence to suggest that waiting longer will cause any harm.

What About Jaundice or Other Concerns?

It’s reasonable for parents to ask about possible downsides:

• Jaundice: Babies who receive a large placental transfusion can have slightly higher jaundice levels, but in most cases jaundice remains mild and manageable with standard care.

• Maternal bleeding: Research does not show increased postpartum haemorrhage with delayed clamping.

  
  

Your maternity team will always balance benefits with safety especially if there is a medical reason to clamp earlier.

Talking with Your Midwife or Doctor

If you'd like delayed clamping on your birth plan, you could say something like:

“If it’s safe for me and my baby, I’d like the cord left intact and clamped after at least 2–3 minutes, or until it stops pulsating and turns white”

This lets caregivers know your preference while leaving room for medical judgement if needed.

In Summary

✨ Delayed cord clamping:

• Boosts your baby’s iron stores and blood volume for months after birth.

• Helps their transition to breathing and stable circulation.

• Offers real gains for preterm infants, including lower mortality and fewer complications.

• Is safe and supported by major UK and international guidelines.

• Can be extended and still be safe, many practitioners will leave the cord intact until pulsations cease.

  
  

If you want this included in your birth plan, have a chat with your maternity team most are happy to support this preference when it’s safe to do so.

References

NICE (2015) Quality statement 6: Delayed cord clamping. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/qs105/chapter/quality-statement-6-delayed-cord-clamping (Accessed: 20 January 2026).

RCOG (2026) Clamping of the umbilical cord and placental transfusion. Available at: https://www.rcog.org.uk/guidance/browse-all-guidance/scientific-impact-papers/clamping-of-the-umbilical-cord-and-placental-transfusion-scientific-impact-paper-no-14/ (Accessed: 20 January 2026).

World Health Organization (2023) Optimal timing of cord clamping for the prevention of iron deficiency anaemia in infants. Available at: https://www.who.int/tools/elena/interventions/cord-clamping (Accessed: 20 January 2026).

Right Decisions (NHS Scotland) (2024) Deferred cord clamping – summary of evidence. Available at: https://rightdecisions.scot.nhs.uk/media/a2rg5qdp/deferred-cord-clamping-dec-2024.pdf (Accessed: 20 January 2026).

Sara Wickham (2022) Delaying cord clamping for six minutes is safe, Research update. Available at: https://www.sarawickham.com/research-updates/delaying-cord-clamping/ (Accessed: 20 January 2026).