Can my husband cut the cord?

Midwife Katie replies: Cutting the umbilical cord is very easy and most midwives will encourage the baby’s father to do it. However, the few minutes after the baby’s birth are an emotional time and the cord can be clamped and cut sometimes before parents realise it’s happened. So I’d suggest that you tell the midwife about your wish as soon as you can after your arrival at hospital. There are rare occasions when a baby needs urgent medical attention, in which case the baby’s cord may be clamped and cut quickly and there may not be time for the father to do it.

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