When should we cut the umbilical cord?

Research has proven that immediate clamping and cutting of the umbilical cord causes newborn anemia, contributing to diminished health and perhaps even diminished intelligence.

Delayed umbilical cord clamping is associated with significant neonatal benefits in preterm infants, including improved transitional circulation, better establishment of red blood cell volume, decreased need for blood transfusion, and lower incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis and intraventricular hemorrhage. - ACOG, Number 814 1.

After 40 years in practice and through her research Midwife Robin Lim, LM has found that Placentas respond to stimulus after the birth indicating that they are living for up to 5 hours after the birth. She has witnessed neo natal resuscitation by simulating the placenta. This means that a non-responsive baby will come to life if the placenta is stimulated through hot water and palpation . This evidence is supported by clinical trials involving neonatal resuscitation while the newborn is still attached to the umbilical cord. 2.

Stem cells from cord can live for up to 25 years after harvesting therefore, one might deduce that they will continue to travel to the baby as long as they stay in tact with their cord and placenta after birth.

What benefits lie within cord tissue?

Apart from what is in the cord blood, let’s look at was is in the cord tissue and Wharton’s Jelly alone that is still supplying the baby after birth while they remain attached.

Found in the outer lining of the cord are Epithelial Stem Cells

ESCs found in cord tissue can form new1,2:

• Skin Cells

• Cornea Cells

• Liver Cells

• Insulin Producing Cells

• Inner Ear Cells

Found within he inner lining (Wharton’s Jelly) of the cord tissue are Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

MSCs found in cord tissue can form new1,2:

• Fat Cells

• Cartilage Cells

• Heart Cells

• Bone Cells

• Nerve Cells

Stem cells from cord tissue have the power to regenerate other cells, as well as structural and connective tissue. Because of this versatility, many diseases are being researched with cord tissue as a potential treatment including:

• Liver Fibrosis

• Lung Cancer

• Sports injuries (cartilage)

• Type 1 diabetes

• Wounds, burns, and ulcers

• Parkinson’s Disease

• Rheumatoid arthritis

• Diseases of the Eye

• Heart and Vascular Disease

• Gastrointestinal Disease

So how long should the cord stay attached? When is the best time to cut the umbilical cord?

Typically hospitals will clamp the cord within 30 seconds after the birth, if not immediately. This is practice resulted from the medicalization of birth about 80 years ago. Women who received pain drugs were, and are, birthing more sluggish babies who don’t initiate breath right away. This doesn’t mean they aren’t receieving oxygen or suffocating. Remember they receive oxygen through the placenta and umbilical cord which is still pumping and attached. Doctors, functioning in an emergent mindset, want to hear vigorous baby cries so historically they cut the cord (baby’s oxygen supply) immediately to jump start the lung mechanism. This immediate cord clamping is a practice that is hardly relevant for every birth, if any. As a side, if you want to avoid breathing issues, avoid epidurals which contain fentanyl (known to depress lung function).

After the baby is born you can consider a half or full lotus birth where the cord, baby and placenta stay attached anywhere from 1 hour to 5 days. Here are some of the benefits.

1. Your baby receives all of the placental blood as the umbilical cord is left

2. Promotes a time of rest and peace allowing new parents and their baby to adjust

3. Mother and baby stay together, enhancing the bonding process.

4. Mothers are more likely to rest and recover from birth as they are encouraged to stay with their babies as much as possible.

5. Babies are less likely to be disturbed by being “passed around” as visitors are more likely to be like-minded about lotus birth.

6. Babies are observed by their parents to be calmer and more peaceful than those who have their cords cut immediately after birth.

7. The process and practice honors the connection the baby has had with the placenta that has nourished her for nine months and values the transition stage between womb and world.

All this being said, the parents get to choose when the cord is clamped and cut- and by who. In rare cases where the cord detaches from the placenta on its own during the birth, there is no choice there. I recommend parents do their due diligence when it comes to the risks associated with immediate cord clamping and learn about the various biological and psycho-spiritual benefits of keeping baby, cord & placenta attached.

For a deep dive read, “Placenta :The Forgotten Chakra” by Robin Lim, LM.