Delayed umbilical cord clamping – benefits and risks

Abstract

Delayed umbilical cord clamping is a standard procedure for active management of the third stage of labor.  There are benefits associated with more than a 30 second delay, but one minute is usually recommended.  For newborns, increased iron reserves are important, having a positive impact on further development. A reduction in the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis and intraventricular hemorrhage is often reported in preterm births. In delayed umbilical cord clamping, no increased maternal blood loss was recorded, even in multiple pregnancies and caesarean sections.