Delayed umbilical cord clamping (DCC) is the practice of waiting longer than the traditional immediate clamping before cutting the umbilical cord, typically from 25 seconds to 5 minutes after birth. This delay allows more blood to transfer from the placenta to the baby, boosting blood volume and iron levels.

Doctors recommend delaying because it has been shown to increase hemoglobin levels in newborns, improve iron stores in preterm infants, and reduce the risk of iron deficiency. For preterm babies, it can lead to better circulation, fewer transfusions, and lower chances of complications like necrotizing enterocolitis and intraventricular hemorrhage.

Concerns have been raised about potential risks like polycythemia (too many red blood cells), hyperbilirubinemia (high bilirubin levels leading to jaundice), and respiratory distress. However, research does not support an increased risk of these conditions with DCC compared to immediate cord clamping.

Some worry about an increase in postpartum hemorrhage with delayed clamping, but studies show there's no significant difference in blood loss greater than 500ml between early and delayed cord clamping. Thus, DCC is not associated with an increased risk of excessive blood loss in mothers.

Immediate clamping may be necessary if the baby needs urgent medical attention that cannot be provided with the cord intact, such as resuscitation. Safety concerns for the baby or conditions like abruption of the placenta, where the placenta detaches early, might also necessitate quicker clamping.

Delayed cord clamping may reduce the amount of blood available for collection and storage in cord blood banks. However, the priority is the health benefits for the newborn. Families interested in cord blood banking should discuss their options and the timing with their healthcare provider to make the best decision for their situation.