Cord clamping is part of the third stage of labor, i.e., the time between delivery of the infant and delivery of the placenta, and is usually achieved by applying two clamps. The cord is cut between the clamps thereby avoiding blood loss in either the infant or the mother through the placenta.

The optimal timing of cord clamping has been a controversial issue for decades; there are no formal practice guidelines. In developing countries, there is a trend toward delayed cord clamping (with a resulting increase in blood and iron received by the infant at birth) to counter the higher incidence of anemia during infancy in these countries. In the western hemisphere, the umbilical cord tends to be clamped soon after birth. There is huge variability between centers worldwide.

Before the clamps are applied, the infant can be placed on the mother's abdomen (above the level of the placenta), between the mother's thighs (at the level of the placenta) or held below the level of the placenta. Blood flow from the placenta to the infant will depend on which position is used, but there are no clear data suggesting an optimal position for infants in the first few minutes of life. Some birth attendants also “milk” the cord towards the infant before clamping, as it contains up to 20 ml of placental blood, although there is no consensus on whether this useful.