Umbilical cord - Definition & Explanation for Mothers

Table of Contents

Definition

The umbilical cord is a tube-like structure that connects a developing fetus to its mother’s placenta during pregnancy. It delivers nutrients and oxygen from the mother to the fetus, and also carries waste products away from the fetus. After birth, it is cut and a small section remains attached to the baby, forming the navel once it dries and falls off.

Key Takeaways

The umbilical cord is a vital lifeline between the mother and the fetus in the womb. It transports nutrients and oxygen from the mother to the fetus and carries waste products from the fetus’s blood to the mother’s blood.
The umbilical cord is typically about 20 inches long and is made of three blood vessels—two arteries that carry blood to the placenta and one vein that returns blood to the fetus.
Shortly after birth, the umbilical cord is clamped and cut. This procedure is painless. The remaining part of the cord, still attached to the baby, dries out and falls off in about one to two weeks, leaving a belly button.

Importance

The term “umbilical cord” is central to motherhood as it plays a vital role in the development and survival of the unborn baby.

The umbilical cord, which connects the baby to the mother’s placenta in the womb, is the baby’s lifeline during gestation.

It carries oxygenated blood and nutrients from the mother to the fetus and returns deoxygenated blood and waste products from the fetus to the mother for disposal.

Consequently, the umbilical cord contributes to building the baby’s immune system, providing growth factors and stem cells, besides enabling the healthy growth of the baby’s organs.

Thus, the term umbilical cord is a critical one in motherhood, as it signifies this crucial link between the mother and her unborn child.

Explanation

The umbilical cord serves as the lifeline between the mother and the fetus during pregnancy. It is a long, tube-like structure that emerges from the baby’s abdomen and attaches to the placenta within the womb. It consists of three vessels: two arteries, which carry blood from the baby to the placenta, and one vein, which carries blood from the placenta back to the baby.

The blood from the placenta is rich in oxygen and nutrients, which are essential for the baby’s growth and development. In addition to supplying blood, oxygen, and nutrients, the umbilical cord also transports waste products from the baby back to the placenta. This waste is then taken up by the mother’s circulatory system and eliminated from her body.

After the baby’s birth, the umbilical cord is clamped and cut. This procedure is painless as the cord lacks any nerves. It eventually dries up and falls off, leaving behind what is known as the belly button or navel.

Thus, the umbilical cord plays a crucial role in the survival, growth, and development of the fetus in the womb.

Examples of Umbilical cord

Maternal-Infant Bonding: The umbilical cord serves as an example of the early and important connection between a mother and her child. This cord is literally the life-line between the two during gestation, providing oxygen, nutrients, and immunity from the mother to the fetus.

Medical Practices: In the real world, the umbilical cord plays a significant role in medical practices such as stem cell research and treatment. After childbirth, the umbilical cord is often collected and stored in stem cell banks because of the valuable and versatile cells it contains, which can be used to treat various illnesses in the future.

Cultural Practices: In many cultures around the world, the umbilical cord holds significant symbolic value. For instance, in some societies, the cord and placenta are buried as part of a sacred ceremony, symbolizing the bond the newborn has with the earth and the beginning of their life journey.

Frequently Asked Questions about Umbilical Cord

What is the function of the umbilical cord?

The umbilical cord is a tube that connects an expecting mother to her unborn baby and carries oxygen and nutrients to the baby. It also transports waste away from the baby.

How long is the umbilical cord?

The umbilical cord is typically about 20 inches long, providing the baby sufficient space to move around without tangling.

What happens to the umbilical cord after birth?

After birth, the umbilical cord is cut, leaving a small stump on your baby’s belly. This stump will dry and fall off within one to three weeks.

How to care for the baby’s umbilical cord stump?

The stump should be kept dry and clean. It’s recommended to give sponge baths instead of tub baths to avoid getting the stump wet until it falls off and heals completely.

What is umbilical cord blood and why is it significant?

Umbilical cord blood is the blood left in the umbilical cord and placenta after birth. It contains stem cells that can treat several types of disorders, illnesses, and disabilities, and can be saved and used for stem cell therapies or medical research.