What is delayed cord clamping and why is it important for newborn babies?

What exactly is delayed cord clamping and why is it important?

I'll be honest, it wasn't something I had even heard about until very recently but then it got me wondering, why haven't I heard about it? I've had two children but I've never come across the term before or even knew that it was an option and I'm guessing that I'm not alone. Doula Care Ireland explains delayed cord clamping as a way of making sure that all of the blood that your newborn needs transfers to them before their cord is clamped. Also known as optimal cord clamping it is becoming a more common practice in Irish maternity hospitals.

"At any one time up to one third of your baby's blood is in the system of their cord and placenta. If the cord is clamped straight after birth, they begin life without this blood. "

With delayed or optimal cord clamping now on the rise it is a good idea to discuss this with your care provider and possibly include it in your birth preferences. If you would like to know more about delayed cord clamping or birth doula support you can book a Skype consultation with Doula Care Ireland to create your birth preferences or get in touch by email at info@doulacare.ie.