In fetus, much of the blood pumped by the heart comes from the placenta, via a shunt bypassing the lungs. At birth, the shunt closes and baby’s physiology changes as blood begin passing through the lungs, which becomes the primary source of blood for the heart to pump. But the blood can only be passed effectively through the lungs once they start functioning properly. Blood supply from the placenta ceases after the umbilical cord is cut. By delaying, cord clamping until a baby start breathing will reduce the pressure on the heart to pump the blood. Reduced blood flow from the heart combined with oxygen restriction can result in brain damage, other tissue damage or death. In low resource setting area, the likelihood of the baby dying or being admitted to intensive care will reduce significantly. - Professor Stuart Hooper