90 Seconds to Change the World

90 Seconds to Change the World

Tick tock. Tick tock. TICC TOCC.


Unless the cord is clamped too quickly.




What can we do? It’s simple – improve the health of billions by spreading an idea.

Wait 90 seconds – until the cord stops actively pumping fetal blood into the baby, unless there is a strong reason otherwise. This has been studied all over the world and has been shown to be both safe and effective at significantly reducing the risk of iron deficiency. Other benefits may include reducing birth asphyxia (inadequate oxygen to the brain) and cerebral palsy. The health benefits from receiving the cord’s pluripotent stem cells may be the most significant impact, but has yet to be understood.

It’s time for TICC TOCC (Transitioning Immediate Cord Clamping to Optimal Cord Clamping).

Spreading an idea that makes intuitive sense, is cost effective and a simple first step to addressing a major global health problem.

Not only have people around the world traditionally waited for the cord to stop pulsing until the 20th century innovation, every other mammal studied instinctively waits for the cord to stop pulsing as well. More than a quarter million babies will be born today.

The clock is ticking.

Dr. Alan Greene


  1. “Wait 90 seconds – until the cord stops actively pumping fetal blood into the baby,..”

    What’s this 90 seconds business? What’s the hurry? Medical staff should observe the cord and not impose their own time limit on a natural event. Nature knows best!

    The cord should in my estimation not be clamped until the placenta has been delivered. There is in fact no need to clamp the cord at all, as the cord dries and then falls off of its own accord after about two days (look up ‘Lotus Birth’). .

  2. Chris Lucenti

    Thank you for the profoundly important message!


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