Umbilical Cord Clamping: How Timing Affects Infant Health Outcomes

The timing of umbilical cord clamping is commonly seen as an innocuous act. Many providers simply cut the cord as soon as they see fit without consideration as to what the impacts of this may be. Early umbilical cord clamping was initially considered a preventative measure for postpartum hemorrhage, but this myth has since been debunked. Now, the practice is still commonly implemented, but for reasons unknown. Delaying the clamping of the umbilical cord is thought to not only provide no risk to the mother but provide benefit to the newborn in relation to their fetal to adult physiologic transition. While this technique may not be beneficial to all neonates, putting it into practice in those who would benefit and implementing it into standard hospital and clinic protocol could prove to have benefit in neonatal health outcomes