Keeping the umbilical cord on until it falls off naturally can be cumbersome, though. Most parents have the cord cut shortly after birth; they don’t feel comfortable with the idea of carrying the placenta with their baby until the umbilical cord separates. If you plan to bank your baby’s cord blood, the cord will need to be cut. [6] X Research source Since the umbilical contains no nerves (like hair, for instance), neither the mother nor the baby will feel the cut. [7] X Research source

Many physicians feel that delayed clamping is a more natural process, and provides better circulatory support during the baby’s transition out of the womb. At birth, a significant amount of the baby’s blood is still in the placenta and umbilical cord. Delayed clamping allows the baby’s circulatory system to recover of much more blood, often as much as ⅓ of the baby’s total blood volume. [10] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Similar to the procedure in immediate clamping, the newborn should be held slightly below the level of the mother to enable some of that blood to return to the baby.

Premature infants whose clamping is delayed have a 50% lower chance of an intraventricular hemorrhage, or bleeding into the fluid cavities in their brain. [12] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Keep in mind that skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby should not be postponed with delayed clamping. [13] X Research source

An antibacterial solution. Sterile surgical gloves, if available. A clean cotton pad or (preferably) sterile gauze. A sterile clamp or strip of woven umbilical tape. A sterile sharp knife or pair of scissors.

With your baby’s first breaths in the first few seconds after delivery, your baby’s circulation shifts away dramatically from the placenta. In fact, flow of your baby’s blood through the placenta usually completely stops within the first 5 to 10 minutes of birth. You can determine when blood flow through the umbilical cord has stopped when you can no longer detected the umbilical cord’s pulse (similar to what the pulse in your wrist or neck feels like).

While these clamps are very secure, they are bulky and catch easily on clothing. If you are using sterile woven umbilical tape, make sure it is at least ⅛ inches wide. You can find this product online in single use lengths.

Keep in mind that some brands require additional equipment to place the band on the umbilical cord. One type that requires no additional equipment is the AGA umbilical cord ring.

Avoid using thin, strong materials such as dental floss, which could rupture the cord if it is tied too tightly.

Keep in mind that although a pulse in the umbilical cord may stop shortly after delivery, significant bleeding may still occur if the cord is not clamped or tied.

This step should be done especially if delivery occurs in a public or unhygienic setting.

If the blade or pair of scissors you are using are not sterile, clean them thoroughly with soap and clean water, and then immerse them in alcohol (70% ethanol or isopropyl alcohol) for 2 to 3 minutes.

The newborn baby’s risk of hypothermia is more of a concern, especially in the first few days of life, than any issues with the cord stump. [16] X Research source

Effective and easily available antibacterial solutions include triple dye and chlorhexidine. [24] X Research source Iodine tincture and povidone-iodine are less effective. Alcohol (ethanol and isopropyl alcohol) should be avoided. The antibacterial effect of alcohol is brief and can be harmful to the baby. It can also delay the usual 7-14 days of cord drying and separation by a day or two.

Long term cord blood frozen storage can be a source of stem cells that may be used for future treatment of your child or another child. Currently, the diseases that may benefit from cord blood are limited and rare. However, as medical science advances, other future uses for cord blood are very likely. [26] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Medical School Harvard Medical School’s Educational Site for the Public Go to source

Even after the transfer of blood from placenta to baby, additional blood can be acquired from the placenta for storage, if desired.