The umbilical cord is the literal connection between you and your baby, developed throughout pregnancy to help your baby (and yourself) thrive. Cutting this cord has emotional and physical significance, so how you choose to do it matters. Here is what to know before cutting the umbilical cord so that your family can make the choice that fits your needs.
Delaying Cord Cutting Isn’t Just a Fad
For some time, clamping and cutting it almost immediately after birth was standard practice in the US. To this day, it is an important bonding practice to have the other parent or a loved one help cut the cord right away.
However, more and more practices are subscribing to the idea that delaying clamping for up to 10 minutes allows babies to continue to receive nutrients after birth. This is especially vital for babies at risk of anemia or preterm infants who can benefit from the extended connection.
Consider discussing delayed clamping with your birthing team to see if it fits your health needs, and include it in your birth plan so that your doulas and delivery team are ready when you go into labor.
Your Birthing Team Will Help You
New parents spend a lot of time preparing and practicing for the day their baby is born. The idea of cutting the umbilical cord can be frightening for those who don’t know what to expect. If you’re concerned that something might go wrong, know that your birthing team is there to help you.
If you would like a loved one to cut the umbilical cord, your birthing team will clamp the cord and prepare it so that all that person needs to do is use the scissors to make the cut. Right afterward, your physicians, nurses, and doula will all continue their work to ensure that your baby is happy and healthy.
The Cord Has Value Even After Birth
While nutrients will eventually stop flowing, and your baby will begin to tackle oxygen and nutrition without their tummy attachment, the umbilical cord still has value and could continue to have value decades into the future.
Cord blood and tissue both contain stem cells that your child or your community could benefit from, as you can bank or donate these cells for stem cell therapies in the future. If you do wish to save your cord blood, discuss this choice with your birthing team beforehand.
Among the things to know before cutting the umbilical cord is that the tissue has no nerve endings, so no matter when you make the cut, neither you nor your baby will feel it happen. How you choose to handle the umbilical cord is deeply personal, so ask yourself what method of handling the cord feels best to you, and coordinate with your physicians to make it possible.
