In my 3 years of birth photography and videography experience, I have been drawn to so many elements presented before me in the birth space. Because of my decision to niche and only offer my services for home births, I frequently see similar birth plan decisions play out in the birth space. One of those being delayed cord clamping. I have yet to see any babies not delayed. I wondered what the benefits were, as this wasn’t a known thing when I had my own babies in 2009 + 2012. As a person with a BS in developmental psychology, anything that affects a baby’s health or development interests me. I thought I would share with you what I found.
According to the American College of obstetricians and gynecologists, here are 4 benefits of delayed cord clamping.
#1 Blood Benefits
In full term newborns, delayed cord clamping increases hemoglobin levels at birth and improves iron stores in the first months of life, which in turn can affect development. I know both of my boys had “low hemoglobin” and I remember wondering how and why, as I was nursing. My 2nd baby, I even went so far as to serve him liver for one of his first foods and he still had this issue.
#2 Circulation + preterm babies
Delaying cord clamping was associated with SIGNIFICANT neonatal benefits in PRETERM babies. It improves their circulation, then better establish red blood cell volume.
#3 Premature Babies Benefit
In Premature babies, there is a lower incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (a severe complication within the intestines in premature babies).
#4 Reduced risks for preterm babies
Delayed Umbilical Cord Clamping also decreases the need for a blood transfusion and decreases risk of intraventricular hemorrhage in preterm infants.
If I were having a baby today, I would have a doula ready to keep the hospital from clamping too early especially if I went into labor early.
If you are thinking about having your birth filmed and photographed, please reach out!
