Flag as Not Acceptable?
We review flagged content and enforce our Terms of Use, in which content must never be:
- Profane or sexually explicit
- Disrespectful or abusive
- Infringing of copyright
Parentpedia
Umbilical Cord
Like a deep-sea explorer inside a diving bell, unborn babies rely on a lifeline to the outside world. The umbilical cord connects a baby to its mother's placenta, facilitating a life-giving exchange. Two arteries remove waste and one vein brings in nutrients and oxygen-rich blood.
The cord forms from the same sperm and egg that form the placenta and fetus, usually appearing by the fifth week of fetal development. It replaces the yolk sac and reaches a length of roughly 20 inches. By the seventh week, it is clearly visible on ultrasound.
Cutting the Cord
You will deliver the placenta and umbilical cord soon after the baby, usually within 30 minutes of birth. The cord normally collapses on its own and has a natural clamping mechanism, but healthcare providers now clamp it manually within a few minutes of birth.
Some fathers are allowed to cut the umbilical cord themselves, which can be a powerful experience that helps them feel a part of the birth. Nervous dads needn't worry: The cord is made up of something called Wharton's jelly and has no nerves, so cutting it is not painful for the mother or baby.
The remaining stub takes about two to three weeks to dry up and fall off. It leaves a small scab that may take a few days to heal.
Complications
Several umbilical cord complications can arise during pregnancy, ranging from false knots, kinks in the umbilical cord vessels that are harmless, to vasa previa, which often is fatal to the unborn baby.
In vasa previa, which strikes about one in 2000 to one in 5000 pregnancies, the fetal blood vessels cross the cervical opening. These vessels typically tear when the mother's water breaks and the baby hemorrhages.
Vasa previa can often be detected by ultrasound before birth. This information can help your doctor provide a safe delivery.
* IMPORTANT NOTICE: Parentpedia contains the opinions and views of other users and not of Disney or its affiliated companies. Given the interactive nature of Parentpedia, we cannot endorse, guarantee or be responsible for the accuracy, efficacy or veracity of any content on this site, including the content generated by users, article authors or article reviewers.The contents of Parentpedia are intended for informational purposes only. Such contents provide general information that is not specific to any individual. The contents are not intended to, and do not, substitute for or constitute medical or healthcare advice, diagnosis or treatment, and may not be used for such purposes. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition and before acting on information obtained from this site. Never disregard professional medical or healthcare advice or delay in seeking it because of something you read on this site. Parentpedia does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on this site. Reliance on information presented on Parentpedia is at your own risk.
Thank You!
Thank you for helping us maintain a friendly, high quality community at Family.com. This comment will be reviewed by a community moderator.
