When is it appropriate to clamp and cut the umbilical cord of a newborn?

Clamping and cutting the umbilical cord is typically performed after it has stopped pulsating, which indicates that blood flow from the placenta to the newborn has significantly decreased. This process is essential for ensuring that the newborn receives the maximum amount of blood from the placenta, which can help improve the infant's blood volume, iron stores, and overall transition to extrauterine life.

This practice aligns with the recommendation to allow for delayed cord clamping, which supports healthier outcomes for the newborn. It is vital to ensure that the cord is no longer pulsating before cutting, as this indicates that the newborn has started its transition to breathing air and that the physiological process of transferring blood from the placenta has mostly completed.

In contrast, clamping the cord immediately following delivery or before the newborn takes its first breath may not provide the newborn the full benefits of placental blood flow. Cutting the cord after the placenta has delivered is unnecessary since the focus should be on the newborn's immediate needs post-delivery. Each step must prioritize both the safety and health of the infant to avoid complications.