In this episode of The POPPED Podcast, Dr. Emily Muery explores a critical — and often overlooked — moment in birth: when to cut the cord.

She unpacks the physiology behind delayed cord clamping, why those extra minutes matter, and what happens when we rush a process the body isn’t done with. From oxygenation to iron levels, stem cell transfer to emotional bonding, the umbilical cord is still hard at work after birth — and honoring that process can change everything about your baby’s transition to life.

Whether you're planning a hospital birth, home birth, or cesarean, this episode gives you the tools to ask better questions, build a birth plan that reflects your values, and understand the science behind one of the first decisions made after delivery.

You’ll also learn:

• What the cord actually does after birth (and why it keeps pulsing)
• How early clamping became routine in modern medicine
• What the research says about delayed clamping and long-term outcomes
• How to advocate for your preferences in different birth settings
• What to do if early clamping is necessary — and how to support your baby afterward
• Plus: Lotus birth, cord burning, and why this moment means more than we think

If you’ve never heard of delayed cord clamping — or thought it was just for “crunchy” parents — this episode will shift your perspective and leave you feeling informed, confident, and connected to your baby’s beginning.

This episode is sponsored by The Final Punctuation

Visit thefinalpunctuation.com