The umbilical cord clamp is a small, plastic medical device applied after birth to seal the remaining portion of the umbilical cord. This temporary device ensures the closure of the blood vessels, preventing blood loss from the newborn. The clamp is a standard procedure that allows the baby’s body to safely transition away from its connection to the placenta. It precedes the natural drying and eventual detachment of the short stump that remains attached to the baby’s abdomen.
The Purpose and Timing of Umbilical Clamping
The primary function of the umbilical clamp is to prevent hemorrhage by stopping blood flow in the major umbilical vessels. Clamping is performed regardless of whether the cord is cut immediately or after a delay. Delayed cord clamping, recommended to last at least 30 to 60 seconds after birth, increases the infant’s iron stores and blood supply.
Once the cord is clamped and cut, the clamp is placed on the short segment of the cord, known as the stump, near the baby’s belly button. Since the stump contains no nerves, the procedure causes no pain to the newborn. The clamp remains in place to mechanically seal the vessels while the natural clotting and drying process begins.
The clamp is typically removed once the cord tissue has sufficiently dried and withered, usually within the first 24 to 48 hours after birth. This timing often coincides with the family’s discharge from the hospital or birth center. Removing the clamp at this stage allows the drying process of the stump to accelerate, though the stump itself will not detach for another week.
Who Should Remove the Umbilical Clamp
The removal of the umbilical clamp should be performed by a qualified healthcare professional, such as a registered nurse, midwife, or physician. The procedure is usually completed before the baby is discharged from the birth facility. The professional uses specialized, sterile scissors or a specific tool to safely open and remove the plastic clamp. This ensures the process is done under sterile conditions and that the underlying cord tissue is adequately dry and sealed.
Parents should never attempt to remove the umbilical clamp on their own, as this poses a significant risk of injury or infection if the cord is not fully sealed. Premature removal could cause the vessels to reopen, leading to bleeding. Any instance where a parent is instructed to remove a clamp at home must only be followed under the explicit guidance of a medical provider. The general safety rule is to leave the clamp alone and allow the healthcare team to manage its removal.
What Happens After Clamp Removal
Once the plastic clamp is removed, attention shifts to the care of the remaining umbilical stump, which needs to dry out, shrivel, and detach naturally. This process usually takes between 5 and 15 days after birth. The stump will gradually change color, moving from a pale shade to a dark brown or black before it finally separates.
To promote healing and prevent infection, the stump must be kept clean and dry using dry cord care practices. Parents should fold the front of the diaper down to ensure the stump is exposed to air and not covered by moisture or waste. Sponge baths are recommended until the stump has fallen off and the skin underneath is fully healed, as submerging the area in water can slow the drying process.
It is normal to see a small amount of clear or blood-tinged fluid around the base of the stump, especially just before it detaches. However, parents must be vigilant for signs of potential infection, which requires immediate medical attention.
Signs of Infection
Warning signs include increasing redness, swelling, or warmth of the skin around the stump. Other indicators of infection are a foul odor, persistent bleeding, or a thick, yellow discharge from the area. If the baby also develops a fever, becomes irritable, or feeds poorly, a healthcare provider should be contacted right away.