The Benefits of Delayed Cord Clamping

Pregnancy can be one of the most exciting times in a woman’s life, and preparing for the actual labor and delivery can practically feel like a full-time job. There are so many choices to consider. Natural or medicated delivery? Midwife or doctor? Birthing center or hospital? The list goes on and on. One particular birthing decision that has become a fairly popular one in recent years concerns whether or not to delay cord clamping after birth.

More and more moms are educating themselves on cord clamping to make the decision that is best for their personal situations, and the medical community has also stepped up to share their opinions. As of 2014, the World Health Organization (WHO) now recommends that the umbilical cord should not be clamped earlier than necessary. They specifically recommend that the cord clamping be delayed at least one to three minutes. Many women choose to delay cord clamping until the cord actually stops pulsing though.

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