Please remember, an infant placed on his/her mother's abdomen after birth is
HIGHER than the placenta and uterus.  The blood will drain away from the
infant causing anemia - which is why most OBs cut the cord so quickly.  In
order for the "natural" process to occur, the infant and placenta must be
level.  Kathy D : is there any cross cultural or historic data on cord cutting
rituals?
Nancy Wight MD, FAAP, IBCLC
Noenatology