Final answer:
Cord clamping should generally be delayed for 1-3 minutes after birth in healthy newborns to allow the transfer of placental blood, providing numerous health benefits. This delay is shorter than the natural occlusion process, which takes about 20 minutes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question of how long clamping of the umbilical cord should be delayed in a healthy baby is currently guided by research and professional recommendations. Standard practice advises delaying cord clamping for at least 1-3 minutes after birth in healthy term and preterm infants. This delay allows for a transfusion of placental blood to the infant, which can provide hemodynamic stability and improve iron stores. The process of the umbilical cord naturally sealing on its own occurs within 20 minutes of birth, as the umbilical blood vessels collapse due to Wharton's jelly swelling in response to external temperatures and vascular constriction. Once the newborn's body is born, the umbilical cord is double-clamped and cut between the clamps, completing the second stage of childbirth.