Delayed Cord Clamping: Benefits, Risks, and When Medical Errors May Occur
Delayed cord clamping is now considered standard practice in many hospitals across the United States, but in some situations, the timing is critical. Failing to clamp the umbilical cord at the appropriate moment can lead to serious health complications. In 2026, most obstetric providers now follow updated guidelines from ACOG, which recommend delaying clamping for at least 30 to 60 seconds after birth in most situations.
What happens when delayed cord clamping goes wrong, and your baby is injured as a result? Learn more about delayed cord clamping, how it works, and when problems may occur. If your baby was injured during labor and delivery in Ohio, learn more about your legal options by contacting Crandall & Pera Law, LLC.
What is delayed cord clamping?
Delayed cord clamping refers to the practice of waiting to clamp and cut the umbilical cord after a baby is delivered. In the past, it was common for doctors to clamp and cut the cord within 10 to 15 seconds of delivery. The current standard is to leave the cord attached for 30 to 60 seconds, and sometimes even longer if the baby is doing well.
During this time, blood continues to transfer from the placenta to the newborn. That extra blood volume can increase a newborn’s iron stores and support early circulation.
Why is delayed cord clamping recommended?
Medical organizations, including the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (more commonly referred to as ACOG), now recommend delaying cord clamping for full-term babies and preterm infants who are stable at birth. Some of the benefits of delayed cord clamping that have been documented in research include:
- Higher iron levels
- Lower risk of anemia
- Improved circulatory transition
- Lower risk of intraventricular hemorrhage in preterm babies
- A reduced need for blood transfusions for premature infants
When a baby is stable after delivery, a brief delay in cord clamping can lead to measurable short-term benefits. In many cases, this doesn’t involve introducing serious risks.
When is delayed cord clamping not recommended by medical professionals?
While delayed cord clamping may be suitable for most newborns, it isn’t always safe or recommended. Some of the situations where doctors are a little more cautious about immediate cord clamping include:
- Baby is not breathing and requires resuscitation (if resuscitation with intact cord is not feasible)
- Severe fetal distress
- Placental abruption
- Significant maternal hemorrhage
- The cord prolapses or is compromised
- Ruptured vasa previa
- Twins born with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome
- The umbilical cord is bleeding or damaged
Many of these cases involve life-threatening conditions or complications that require immediate medical care for the mother, baby, or both. In these situations, prioritizing delayed cord clamping can mean a delay in lifesaving medical care.
Can delayed cord clamping cause harm?
In most routine births with healthy infants—even if they are preterm—delayed cord clamping is considered safe and is unlikely to cause a birth injury. However, that isn’t always the case.
In some of the situations described above, leaving the cord attached can cause actual harm to the baby. In babies born with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, delayed cord clamping may worsen preexisting blood volume imbalances. This increases the risk of brain injury for the twin who loses blood volume. In the case of ruptured vasa previa, immediate delivery and cord clamping are recommended, per clinical literature in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Even when delayed cord clamping is used only when clinically appropriate, issues may still arise. Potential negative consequences include:
- Excessive red blood cell levels, or polycythemia
- Increased bilirubin levels, which increase the risk of jaundice
- Prioritizing delayed cord clamping ahead of lifesaving resuscitation
The greatest risk is when a physician chooses to delay cord clamping instead of prioritizing immediate resuscitation of a baby who is obviously struggling. In other cases, the risk may only be minimal. For example, an increased risk of jaundice is minor for most babies. Delayed cord clamping is associated with a small increased risk of jaundice requiring phototherapy, but it is typically manageable with appropriate monitoring. However, if resuscitation is inappropriately put off due to delayed cord clamping, the baby’s brain could suffer oxygen deprivation. This can lead to permanent disabilities, developmental delays, and death.
The link between delayed cord clamping and oxygen deprivation
A number of birth-related brain injuries are the result of hypoxia, or a lack of oxygen to the brain. If fetal heart monitoring shows concerning signs of fetal distress, providers may take steps to speed up delivery—either Pitocin or a C-section, depending on the severity of the fetal readings. Even with prompt action, a baby may be born showing clear signs of distress and compromised health.
In this situation, every single second matters. An OB/GYN following the standard of care for their specialty must assess the baby’s breathing, evaluate their heart rate, and initiate resuscitation if necessary.
When this happens, delayed cord clamping is not the priority—immediate resuscitation is. Putting off resuscitation to increase blood flow to the baby ignores the much greater benefit of treating oxygen deprivation. In some cases, resuscitation is possible with the cord intact—when it’s not, immediate clamping is crucial.
Note that in these cases, the issue isn’t actually delayed cord clamping. It’s how practitioners fail to properly prioritize resuscitation.
When medical negligence may be involved
While side effects of delayed cord clamping are fairly uncommon, they do occur—and they’re not always medical malpractice. Negligence may be a concern when providers ignore clear signs of fetal distress, delay resuscitation needlessly, do not follow delivery protocols, or use delayed cord clamping when a baby has a condition that would make delayed cord clamping unsafe.
When a doctor goes against the standard of care and a baby suffers preventable harm as a result, the parents may be able to take legal action against them with the help of a birth injury attorney.
Advocate for your baby with Crandall & Pera Law, LLC
If your baby suffered complications due to delayed cord clamping, it’s time to discuss your case with our team. Connect with us online to schedule a consultation.