The umbilical cord is the lifeline that connects a mother to her baby during pregnancy. It carries oxygen and nutrients from the mother to the developing baby and allows the baby’s blood to flow back to the placenta. Cutting the umbilical cord is an important part of the birthing process and marks the baby’s transition to life outside the womb. However, some parents are choosing to delay or forgo cutting the cord immediately after birth for various reasons. This article will explore why some people opt out of this common practice.
Belief in letting cord pulsate
One of the main reasons parents may choose not to cut the umbilical cord right away is the belief that allowing it to remain intact and pulsating for a period of time after birth provides health benefits for the newborn. Proponents of delayed cord clamping argue that keeping the intact cord allows a continued blood flow between mother and baby, which can help the baby transition to breathing air and circulatory changes after birth.
Some key potential benefits of waiting to cut the cord include:
- Increased blood volume – Allowing more blood to transfer from the placenta to the baby may help prevent anemia in infancy.
- Higher iron stores – The additional blood can provide more iron reserves for the baby.
- Improved cardiovascular function – The added blood volume may support better heart and lung function.
- Decreased risk of brain hemorrhage – Allowing a gradual transition may reduce the risk of bleeding in the baby’s brain.
Doctors typically recommend waiting at least 30 seconds to 3 minutes before clamping the cord if there are no urgent medical concerns requiring immediate action. This brief delay allows the baby to receive the full volume of blood from the placenta before the vessels are sealed off.
Connection between mother and baby
Another reason some parents choose not to cut the umbilical cord right after delivery is the desire to maintain the physical bond between mother and baby. The umbilical cord is a powerful symbolic connection, representing the remarkable in-utero nurturing relationship. Delaying clamping and cutting allows parents to honor this attachment.
Parents report feeling emotionally supported by seeing, touching, and cradling their newborn while still attached by the cord. The process fosters bonding, affection, and a gentle transition for both mom and baby. Families may feel cutting the cord too hastily severs the maternal connection before they are ready. Leaving the cord intact with pulsating blood flow gives families time to pause, reflect on the birth, and adjust to their new family dynamic.
Cord closure as a natural process
Some parents choose to leave the umbilical cord entirely intact after birth and allow the cord to stop pulsating and eventually dry up and detach from the newborn’s belly button naturally. Reasons for keeping the cord connected may include:
- Avoiding pain or stress of cord cutting – Keeping the cord intact prevents the baby from experiencing pain or discomfort from clamping and cutting procedures.
- Allowing full blood transfer – Leaving the cord attached until it stops pulsating lets all existing blood move from placenta to baby.
- Protection from infection – An intact cord creates a closed system that serves as a temporary protective barrier against germs entering the newborn’s body.
- Symbolic meaning – Parents may find spiritual or emotional significance in allowing the cord to detach naturally.
In these cases, the cord eventually dries up and falls off within 3-10 days after birth, releasing the baby from the placenta. Proper cord care is still important to avoid infection.
Belief in lotus birth
A small minority of parents practice “lotus birth” – leaving the placenta attached to the newborn until the umbilical cord falls away naturally. Supporters of lotus birth believe the placenta retains vital energy and should remain connected. The placenta is kept near the baby and treated with salts and herbs to dry and shrink it. After several days, the cord detaches and the placenta is buried or treated ritually.
Reasons for lotus birth may include:
- Honoring the placenta’s role – The placenta nourished the baby for 9 months and is seen as a living organ deserving respect.
- Letting detachment occur naturally – Forcing separation is viewed as disruptive versus allowing the natural timing.
- Energy flow – Keeping the placenta attached maintains a perceived energetic flow and bond with the mother.
- Rite of passage – The complete release marks a significant milestone of separating from the womb.
Despite techniques to dry the placenta, some doctors voice concerns about increased infection risk with lotus birth. But parents may prioritize spiritual beliefs over medical advice.
Home birth setting
Families who choose home birth or birth at freestanding birth centers may be more likely to delay cord clamping or leave the cord intact after delivery. These settings provide more flexibility in procedures and rituals compared to typical hospital protocols.
Key factors include:
- Less rushing – No urgent medical transports mean more time for an unhurried transition.
- Intimate setting – Home environment allows parents to bond and care for baby while still attached.
- Alternative beliefs – drawn to more holistic, natural philosophies of birth.
- Greater role in decisions – Parents can decline procedures they aren’t comfortable with.
With medical personnel less involved, parents may take more time to stimulate the baby or watch for natural separation cues before cutting the cord.
Concerns about early cord clamping
Increased awareness of the potential benefits of delayed cord clamping may also lead some parents to avoid prematurely cutting the umbilical cord. Common concerns with early clamping include:
- Less blood volume for baby – Clamping before pulsations cease reduces blood transfer to baby.
- Lower iron stores – Less placental blood may result in anemia.
- Poor circulation – Early clamping causes a sudden halt in blood flow through the cord.
- Brain oxygen deprivation – Immediate clamping reduces oxygenation during the sensitive transition to breathing.
Parents seeking the advantages of extra blood volume and iron stores will request clinicians delay clamping and cutting the cord until after it stops pulsing.
Religious or cultural beliefs
Certain religious, ethnic, or cultural traditions place significance on leaving the umbilical cord intact for periods after birth. Examples include:
- In Balinese Hinduism, the placenta and cord are seen as the baby’s guardian angel and protector of the soul. The placenta is buried with honor once the cord falls off days later.
- In Tibetan Buddhist traditions, the placenta is believed to connect the newborn to the past lives. Burning the detached placenta is thought to sever remaining links.
- In lotus birth stemming from Native American culture, the placenta is kept attached to nurture the spirit and allow transition from the spirit world.
- In traditional Chinese medicine, retaining a natural cord separation allows life force energy to flow into the newborn for optimal health.
Honoring these long-held philosophies takes priority over medical recommendations. Parents relying on faith, ritual, and ancestral guidance may decline cord cutting.
Preference for natural timing
Some parents wish to avoid any unnecessary medical interventions during childbirth. They argue human newborns managed for centuries without rushed clamping and cutting procedures. They see value in being patient and allowing the cord to stop pulsing and naturally separate when the baby is ready.
Reasons for deferring to natural timing include:
- Avoiding disruption of physiological changes right after birth.
- Preventing pain or stress responses in newborns.
- Promoting bonding by keeping new family together during transition.
- Trusting innate biological processes guiding separation.
These parents believe nature should take its course rather than imposing rigid timeframes for cord detachment.
Cases requiring urgent cord clamping
While delayed cord clamping offers benefits for healthy full-term babies, there are situations where urgent clamping and cutting is medically necessary:
- Premature births may require resuscitation with limited cord blood volume.
- Breeched presentation prevents delayed transfer of cord blood to baby.
- Babies needing breathed for meconium or lack of breathing need resuscitation.
- Mothers with blood clotting disorders or severe bleeding after delivery.
- Nuchal cords wrapped tightly around the baby’s neck.
- Placental abnormalities such as abruptions require removal.
In these cases, doctors will recommend immediate cord clamping to address urgent needs of mother or baby. The benefits must be balanced with safety when complications arise.
Parent preferences require discussion
If delayed cord clamping appeals to expecting parents, they should discuss options with their doctor prenatally and during labor when feasible. Doctors can advise on best timing based on the mother’s and baby’s status. While most support some deferred clamping, special requests like lotus birth may be outside their typical advice. Talking through beliefs, concerns, and preferred procedures allows parents and clinicians to find alignment on when to cut the cord.
How to delay cord cutting
Parents desiring to postpone cord clamping can discuss the following with their medical team:
- Waiting at least 60 seconds before clamping if mother and baby are stable.
- Clamping after cord pulsations cease, around 3 minutes or longer.
- Cutting the cord once it’s completely white and limp.
- Massaging the placenta side of cord to speed blood transfer.
- Keeping the intact cord below baby to allow gravity drainage.
- Holding the baby skin-to-skin for natural transition time.
Monitoring baby’s condition and acting if any signs of distress will remain top priority. With supportive care, patients and clinicians can identify the ideal timing.
Conclusion
The decision of when to cut the umbilical cord after birth is influenced by many factors. Allowing a delay, compared to immediately clamping and cutting, provides health advantages of increased blood volume and iron stores. Some parents also find emotional, spiritual, and relational meaning in maintaining the connection between mother and baby. However, urgent medical circumstances can necessitate prompt cord severance. Through respectful communication and shared understanding, families and doctors can determine optimal cord clamping timing for each unique situation. Honoring natural processes while ensuring safety and health allows the umbilical cord to serve its symbolic and biological purpose.