We have seen that the umbilical cord It may not be pinched immediately after delivery. There are powerful reasons against such practice. While the cord can the placenta continue to breathe blood into the baby's body. This blood is rich in nutrients and provides a iron reserve to the kid. If he does not receive it, the child will have a deficit of iron stores and may suffer from anemia, which is why mothers are urged to start supplementary feeding very soon.
But there are more benefits. The placenta continues with its oxygenator function of the baby's body as long as it continues to transmit blood. And this, at the moment immediately after birth, is a life insurance against postnatal anoxia. If it is not pinched and not cut, it can continue to provide the newborn with a second source of oxygen. Your lungs can take your time to start working perfectly. It will not be necessary to force them, or make the baby cry, or give a blow on the back to breathe. He will do it little by little, being during those minutes protected by the oxygen that continues to arrive. Nature has foreseen that birth does not imply a race against death. You just have to let it act.
If you have patience the umbilical cord it will collapse on its own, and sometimes it only takes 3 minutes, and sometimes it takes 15 0 20. Once that happens if it can be pinched and cut. If done before, it can cause anoxia and even irreversible damage due to lack of cerebral oxygen in some babies, especially those born with acute fetal distress and need more than any that the placenta continues to pass blood for a few minutes with oxygen. This is equally important or more in the case of premature babies, who need the extra supply of oxygen and all the blood full of nutrients and iron they can receive.
