Let's learn about your baby's umbilical cord! The amazing bond between mother and baby!

If you are a mother-to-be, or if you have just welcomed a new baby into your home, this talk will be very important to you. Today we are going to talk about that amazing, life-giving connection between a mother and her unborn baby - the Umbilical Cord . It is like a lifeline between mother and baby, a very miraculous thing, isn't it?

What is the umbilical cord? What happens to it?

Simply put, the umbilical cord is a flexible, slightly fatty tube that connects you to your growing baby. It carries everything your baby needs to survive and grow throughout pregnancy. Think of it like a special system of communication wires from your mother to your baby.

What is the function of the umbilical cord?

The umbilical cord and the placenta work together to maintain proper blood circulation to the baby. In fact, when the baby is developing in the womb, many of the baby's functions, such as the baby's lungs, heart, and digestive system, are carried out through this placenta. The umbilical cord is what connects the baby to this placenta.

You can think of it this way: The umbilical cord is like a two-way street.

• On the one hand, blood filled with oxygen and nutrients flows from the placenta to the baby through the umbilical cord. This is what gives the baby the energy to grow well.
• On the other hand, the oxygen-poor blood, which is full of waste products like carbon dioxide produced by the baby's body, is carried back to the placenta through the umbilical cord. Your body then removes those waste products.

This two-way blood flow continues until the baby is born. After the baby is born, the baby no longer needs the placenta and umbilical cord to provide nutrition and oxygen. This is because the baby's own organ systems (such as the lungs and intestines) take over and start doing those things on their own.

Where is the umbilical cord located? What does it look like?

The umbilical cord develops inside your uterus, during the first three months of pregnancy. It connects the developing baby to the placenta. The placenta is a temporary organ that attaches to the wall of your uterus.

Normally, the umbilical cord is attached to the middle of the placenta on one side and to the baby's abdomen (where the navel will later develop) on the other side.

The umbilical cord looks like a thick rope, and it is constantly twisted and coiled . These coils make the cord stronger and protect it from being crushed as the baby grows in the womb. A white, jelly-like connective tissue – called Wharton's jelly – surrounds the cord, which protects it.

The umbilical cord is usually about 19.6 to 23.6 inches (50 to 60 centimeters) long by the end of your second trimester. Its thickness (diameter) is less than an inch (about 1 to 2 centimeters).

What are the blood vessels in the umbilical cord?

Three blood vessels in a normal umbilical cordThere are. Imagine, these are like three little pipes.

• One umbilical vein: This is where oxygen-rich, clean blood is carried from the placenta to the baby. It is this blood that helps the baby grow.
• Two umbilical arteries: These two carry the baby's oxygen-poor, waste-laden blood back to the placenta, like a waste disposal system.

What are the possible problems with the umbilical cord?

Sometimes, there can be some problems with the umbilical cord. The main risk of this is that the baby's blood supply is reduced. This can affect the baby's growth and development. But remember, many of these things are very rare , or rarely cause serious complications. Your doctor will monitor you throughout your pregnancy. Ultrasound scans can show the umbilical cord very clearly, so doctors can usually identify any abnormalities. If there is any, they will let you know if you need further tests or monitoring.

Here are some of the situations that can arise:

• Abnormal cord coiling: The cord can be either too coiled (hypercoiled) or too coiled (hypocoiled). This can be caused by things like changes in blood flow and baby's movements. Sometimes, it can be related to complications during pregnancy.
• Marginal cord insertion: Normally, the umbilical cord is inserted in the middle of the placenta. In this case, the umbilical cord is attached to one side or edge of the placenta.
• Nuchal cord: This is where the umbilical cord wraps around the baby's neck. Most of the time, it's harmless if it's in the nipple. However, sometimes, if it's tightly wrapped, it can cause minor complications during pregnancy or when the baby is born.
• Single umbilical artery / two-vessel umbilical cord: This is when the umbilical cord has only one artery and one vein (normally there should be two). This can be a sign of certain genetic conditions, such as trisomy . It is also sometimes associated with structural changes in the baby's organs, such as the heart.
• True knot: The umbilical cord actually forms a knot. If this is a tight knot, complications such as reduced blood flow to the baby can occur.
• Umbilical cord cysts: Fluid-filled cysts can develop in the umbilical cord. Most of the time, these are harmless. However, sometimes, a cyst can compress the umbilical cord and block blood flow.
• Umbilical cord prolapse:The umbilical cord comes down through the cervix before the baby is born. This is a medical emergency , and usually requires a cesarean section (C-section) .
• Vasa previa: An unprotected passage of blood vessels from the umbilical cord through the opening of the cervix. The pressure of the baby's birth can cause these blood vessels to rupture, causing excessive bleeding. Early detection and delivery by cesarean section can prevent serious complications or even death.
• Velamentous cord insertion: In this case, the umbilical cord does not attach to the placenta properly. Instead of attaching to the placenta itself, it attaches to membranes outside the placenta. This can cause other complications, such as slow growth of the baby.

What happens to the umbilical cord when the baby is born?

After your baby is born, doctors will cut the umbilical cord and separate it from the placenta. The reason is that the baby is now ready to breathe and eat on its own. So, it no longer needs the umbilical cord. Only a small piece remains in the baby's belly, which we call the umbilical cord stump . This will dry up in a few weeks and fall off on its own. That's when your baby's beautiful belly button will appear. Cutting the umbilical cord is a very simple, normal procedure, and it won't hurt the baby .

Does it hurt when the baby's umbilical cord is cut?

Not at all. There are no nerves in the umbilical cord. Therefore, the baby has no sensation in the umbilical cord. The baby does not feel any pain when the doctor or nurse cuts the umbilical cord. Also, the baby does not feel any pain or discomfort when the remaining part of the umbilical cord dries, shrinks, and falls off. So, don't worry about it, okay?

How to care for the stump of a newborn baby's umbilical cord?

When you get home, your doctor or nurse will give you instructions on how to care for your baby's umbilical cord stump. In general, the most important thing is to keep the stump clean and dry . This will help prevent infection (especially omphalitis) .

Here are some things that will help:

• Give sponge baths until the scab falls off: This means that instead of bathing your baby in a basin of water, you simply wipe the baby's body with a soapy cloth. Leave the scab to air dry. After it falls off, you can start bathing normally in two to three days.
• Fold the diaper down: When putting on your baby's diaper, fold the front of the diaper under the remaining part of the umbilical cord, towards the baby's stomach. This will help prevent urine and poop from getting on the remaining part. Some newborn diapers even have a special cutout for this umbilical cord.
• Clean if necessary: ​​urineIf the remaining part of the umbilical cord gets dirty, clean it with a damp cloth. Then, leave it exposed to air to dry.
• Wait for the rest to fall off on its own: it will happen automatically.

The most important thing is to wait until the remaining part of the umbilical cord falls off on its own. Even if it is hanging by a thread, do not pull on it. Doing so can cause unnecessary bleeding and may harm the baby.

• Watch for signs of infection: Redness, swelling, pus-like discharge, a foul odor, or bleeding could be signs of infection. If you see any of these , call your pediatrician immediately .

Is it okay to put alcohol on the remaining part of the umbilical cord?

It's actually not a good idea . In the past, new parents used rubbing alcohol to clean the umbilical cord stump after bathing or changing the baby's diaper. But recent research has shown that doing so can kill the healthy bacteria that help the stump fall off naturally.

So instead of using alcohol, gently wipe the remaining part of the baby's umbilical cord with a damp sponge or cloth and leave it exposed to air to dry.

When does the remaining part of the umbilical cord fall off?

The remaining part of the umbilical cord usually dries out and falls off within one to three weeks after birth . If it's still attached after three weeks, see your pediatrician. It could be a sign of an underlying medical condition.

As the remaining part dries, it shrinks and changes color. It turns from yellow-green to brown, then black, and then falls off on its own. After it falls off, you can remove it.

Is it normal for the area under the navel to be yellow after the umbilical cord falls off?

If you notice any changes in your baby's skin, it's always best to talk to your pediatrician. What you may be seeing is a lump of normal, harmless scar tissue called an umbilical granuloma . This can develop on your baby's belly button after the remaining part of the umbilical cord has fallen off. This granuloma may also ooze a light yellow fluid.

Usually, this type of granuloma on the breast will heal on its own in about a week. If it's still there after a week, your pediatrician can remove it with simple treatments that can be done in their office.

What should you do when the remaining part of the baby's umbilical cord falls off?

When the umbilical cord falls off, your baby may bleed a little . It's normal to bleed a little. Gently wipe away the blood. But if you continue to bleed even after wiping, call your pediatrician.

Also, if the baby's umbilical cord is accidentally pulled off, there may be bleeding. In that case, the advice is the same: wipe away the blood, and if the bleeding continues, seek medical advice.

When should you seek medical advice?

Call your pediatrician if you notice any of the following things about your baby's umbilical cord stump:

• If it doesn't fall off after three weeks.
• If pus or other fluid is oozing.
• If there is swelling or the surrounding area is red/discolored.
• If the bleeding doesn't stop.

Also, see a doctor if your baby has any of these symptoms:

• If you have a fever.
• If you don't drink milk normally.
• If you seem more sleepy or lethargic than usual.
• If your baby cries when you touch the remaining part of the umbilical cord or the skin around it.

Finally, something to remember

The umbilical cord is a very important thing during pregnancy, saving lives. And, you may feel like it's a symbol of the bond between you and your baby. So, cutting that cord when your baby is born can be a bit of a sad, sweet moment. But, that cute little thing that makes you laugh every time you change your baby's diaper? It'll be there forever, reminding you of that special bond that only exists between the two of you. Isn't it beautiful?

` Umbilical cord, pregnancy, newborn, placenta, umbilical cord care, infections, baby's health