Delayed Cord Clamping: Every Expecting South Jersey Mom Should Know This
When I process placentas, I can always tell if the care provider delayed clamping or cut the cord immediately. Translation: Was the provider patient? Do they follow research-backed practices? Did they actually respect my client’s wishes?
More than a few times, a mom has told me she asked for delayed cord clamping, and then here I am holding a cord and a placenta full of blood. And every single time, I cringe as I wash it down my drain. Because all that blood belonged to her baby.
You might be surprised to learn that about a third of your baby’s blood is still in the placenta at birth. For perspective, that’s about 3.5 ounces for a 7-pound baby. Imagine donating a third of your blood all at once… you’d feel dizzy, wiped out, shaky, and weak.
Add an epidural into the mix, and that exhaustion can be even more pronounced. Epidurals relax the uterus, which slows the final placental transfusion. Babies whose mothers had an epidural are more likely to have lower muscle tone and weaker reflexes, making it harder to latch or stay awake during those crucial first feedings. That final transfusion is so important for giving your baby iron, oxygen, and energy right before they separate from you.
I wish we’d make a bigger deal out of this part of birth. When the cord is cut, so many folks focus on who is cutting it (usually as a way to involve the dad) rather than honoring that incredible moment of separation. Ten months you and your baby were one. This is it. The moment of separation. It deserves to be recognized.
The point is that delayed cord clamping isn’t just a trendy request. Waiting for your baby to get their blood back is an important, simple step that can give your baby a stronger, healthier start. And if you’re getting your placenta encapsulated, those nutrients and hormones will make your pills even more potent.
That blood matters. Every drop of it.
And, don’t worry, if you’re getting your placenta encapsulated, your pills will be just as potent, since all those hormones and nutrients are still intact and ready to support you in the days after birth.
The Benefits of Delayed Cord Clamping
If you want delayed cord clamping for your baby, it should be a simple ask. Just let your care provider know that you’d like them to wait at least 30–60 seconds—or longer if possible. (Sometimes it takes the cord 30 minutes or more to stop pulsing on its own, but in the uber-medicalized world of New Jersey birth, finding a provider who’ll wait that long is tough—unless you’re talking real, old-school home-birth midwives.)
That’s it. But those 30–60 seconds are pure magic.
Let your placenta finish its job. Let that oxygen-rich, nutrient-packed blood flow back to your baby, where it belongs.
The benefits are huge for something so simple:
Better iron stores → supports brain development and helps prevent anemia
Extra stem cells → aid organ growth, immunity, and long-term health
Improved regulation → temperature, oxygen levels, and even blood pressure in those critical first hours
Stronger feeding and alertness → babies tend to feed better and cry less lethargically because they’re not drained from losing a third of their blood
In short: your baby gets a head start on life—and you get a healthier, more engaged newborn.
Why So Many Providers Skip It
Even though both the World Health Organization (WHO) and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommend delayed cord clamping, many hospitals still cut the cord immediately, or too soon.
Why? Some hospitals run births like a factory line. Old-school training prioritizes speed over physiology. And some providers just don’t want to wait or don’t like being told what to do. The result is that babies lose a massive chunk of blood that could have helped them feel stronger right out of the womb.
How to Make Sure Delayed Cord Clamping Happens
Bring it up at prenatal appointments
Include it in your birth plan
Have your partner remind the care team after birth
Even with a C-section, ask for at least 30 seconds of delay or “cord milking”
Remember: it’s your baby’s blood. You decide what happens with it.
Placenta Encapsulation: The Postpartum Boost You Didn’t Know You Needed
Here’s where things get really cool. The placenta doesn’t stop working when your baby is born.
Delayed cord clamping ensures your baby gets what they need. Placenta encapsulation ensures you get what you need.
The organ that nourished your baby for nine months is rich in iron, to rebuild your blood and keep your energy up. Additionally, low iron mimics depressive symptoms, so often when moms feel low, it’s because their iron is low. The iron from your placenta is all narual – made by you and for you – so its easily absorbed by your body, which means all the good stuff with none of the negatives of store bought iron supplements like constipation.
Your placenta is full of B vitamins, for energy, brain, and mood support. As well as hormones like progesterone and estrogen, to ease mood swings and support milk production.
So while your newborn is getting a jumpstart on life, placenta capsules help you recover faster, feel stronger, and protect your mood. Naturally.
South Jersey Moms: Here’s How to Get It Right
If you’re giving birth anywhere in Central or South Jersey — Virtua Voorhees, Cooper Hospital, Inspira Mullica Hill, the Jersey Shore, Philly, or Delaware… or at home with a midwife — you deserve a birth that respects your physiology, your baby, and your postpartum recovery.
Ask about delayed cord clamping.
Include it in your birth plan.
Consider hiring a doula — continuous labor support reduces the likelihood of unnecessary interventions, including cesareans.
And when your baby’s placenta comes out, let me turn it into capsules that will help your body heal, balance hormones, and get your energy back.
Because the world is messy, but your postpartum doesn’t have to be — and your placenta still has work to do.
Bonus: Break Free from White-Coat Syndrome
The Single Most Important Job: Advocate for Your Baby
Even in a hospital, you’re in charge. Yes, you.
Side Quest: How to Break Free from White-Coat Syndrome
Write it down. Questions, preferences, reminders—bring them all with you. Don’t rely on memory.
Ask, then pause. Give your provider space to answer. Repeat if needed.
Bring backup. Partner, friend, or doula—someone who can speak up if you freeze.
Trust your instincts. Your body, your baby, your rules. Period.
Stay persistent. Keep asking until you understand. Keep advocating until you’re heard.
Ask for the evidence. Studies, guidelines, anything that backs your choices—don’t settle for vague “it’s fine” answers.
White-coat syndrome is real, especially for neurodivergent moms—but it doesn’t have to control your birth. With preparation, support, and persistence, you can make sure your baby gets the start they deserve and your voice is heard.
I’m Tiff, The Placenta Girl and I’m dedicated to helping new and expecting moms navigate the challenges of the fourth trimester with confidence and support. Curious about how placenta pills can support your recovery, energy, and overall postpartum experience? Click here to learn more and see how placenta encapsulation can help you feel stronger, calmer, and more prepared.
