As your baby's shoulders are being born, you will be given an injection of a hormone called oxytocin, or a combination of oxytocin and a medicine called ergometrine. Within about 2 minutes, these cause your womb to contract strongly to help reduce serious bleeding. The umbilical cord is clamped and cut as soon as your baby is born. The midwife or doctor will then deliver the placenta by pulling gently with one hand on the part of the umbilical cord that is still attached to it.
Attribution: BUPA