I fully agree and have ensured this was the case with all of my four live births. Unfortunately in a system where the placenta is artificially managed this often doesn't happen. There seems to be a rush to disconnect the baby and mother and placenta. This I believe stemmed from the need to 'get on with things' that in the past (and still in many) in many hospitals was deemed necessary.

More and more women now though are asking for the cord to remain intact. As you will have seen many practitioners are quick to cut a cord that is looped around a baby's neck rather than gently manipulating it to leave the baby's cord in tact. (Please, I am not suggesting that there is not occasion where this is necessary!) Two of my four live births have had cords around their necks, with an experienced midwife to pop it over the cord was left undamaged as was my request.