Cord Clamping: The Difference A Minute Can Make

Research confirms that delaying the clamping of the umbilical cord is the best practice, as it increases the fetal blood volume, decreases the rate of fetal iron deficiency, enhances motor development, as well as increases myelination at a younger age. Ultimately, the outcome of delayed cord clamping versus immediate cord clamping improves outcomes for the newborn without placing the mother at risk during the postpartum period. Timing of when to clamp the umbilical cord is a topic that is ambiguous in the obstetrical community. Currently, there is no agreement among obstetricians, midwives, neonatal nurse practitioners, or nurses concerning the best time to clamp the umbilical cord after the birth of a newborn. After examining multiple research articles, findings have shown that delaying the clamping of the umbilical cord is a practice that needs to be incorporated within a policy at every hospital