Cord Clamping

The baby's umbilical cord carries blood containing nutrients and oxygen to and from the placenta during pregnancy. After birth, it is typical to clamp and cut the cord, which later falls off by itself in the first week after birth.  

Clamping and cutting the baby's umbilical cord at birth can be a special moment for you and your family. It's a time for celebration of the hard work you've done in labour and the transition you and your baby are making. Sometimes a special person is chosen to assist with the cutting.

Research shows that waiting to cut the cord, if possible, rather than cutting it in the first few seconds after the birth, can be important to the well-being of your baby. Delayed cord clamping allows the baby to retain more of his or her blood and leaves less blood behind in the placenta.

You can talk to your health care provider about planning to cut the umbilical cord - who will do it? and when? See the resources below for more information.

• The MotHERS Program - Delayed cord clamping

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• CBC - Delaying umbilical cord clamping better for baby: McMaster expert

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• YouTube - Penny Simkin on delayed cord clamping

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• PHAC - Family Centred Maternity Care Guidelines - Umbilical Cord Clamping

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• The MotHERS Podcast - Delayed Cord Clamping (featuring Dr. Sarah McDonald)