UMBILICAL CORD
What Exactly Is the Umbilical Cord?
During pregnancy, this serves as a lifeline between you and your baby. Your baby receives oxygen and nutrient-rich blood through the cord. The cord also transports the waste products of the baby. The umbilical cord, which contains two arteries and one vein, connects your baby to your placenta. Your baby no longer requires this after birth. Your provider will cut the umbilical cord, leaving a short piece of it attached to your baby’s belly button, known as a stump. Within a few weeks of birth, the stump will naturally dry up and fall off.
How Does The Umbilical Cord Appear?
This is a spongy-looking flexible tube-like structure. The cord is surrounded by a jelly-like substance. Following childbirth, your provider will clamp and then cut the cord, leaving a stump (umbilicus) behind. The stump will dry up and fall off in one to three weeks. Before falling off, the stump shrinks and changes color from yellowish-green to brown to black as it dries.
Who Will Own An Umbilical Cord?
Every newborn has an umbilical cord.
What Is The Significance of Umbilical Cord Care?
As the caregiver for your newborn, you must keep the cord clean and dry so that it can fall off naturally. Your baby is at risk of infection if the umbilical cord stump is not properly cared for.
What Happens To Baby’s Umbilical Cord After Birth?
Your baby is ready to breathe and eat on their own after birth, so they no longer require the umbilical cord. Your provider will clamp and cut your baby’s umbilical cord. This prevents oxygen and nutrient-rich blood from flowing from you to your baby.
Is There Sensation In Baby’s Umbilical Cord?
Because the this issue lacks nerves, your baby has no sensation in the cord. When the doctor cuts the cord, your baby feels no pain. As the cord dries, shrinks, and falls off, it causes no harm to your baby.
How Should Care for Newborn’s Umbilical Cord?
- Following your baby’s birth, you’ll need to take steps to care for the umbilical cord. It is critical to keep the cord stump clean and dry to avoid infection. You can care for your newborn’s umbilical cord by doing the following:
- Allowing the cord to dry naturally. It should not be dried with topical substances such as alcohol.
- When diapering your baby, fold the front of the diaper down below the cord and in toward your baby’s tummy to allow the cord to dry. Some newborn diapers have a cord cut-out area. Pulling on the cord may cause excessive bleeding and harm to your baby.
- Bathe your baby with a sponge. Wrap your baby in a towel and wash each part of his or her body with a sponge or washcloth. Do not bathe your baby in a bathtub until the cord has been severed. Wiping the cord with plain water and letting it air dry on occasion does not increase the risk of infection or make the cord fall off more slowly. This may be required if your baby pees or poops on the cord.
- While waiting for the stump to fall off: The stump will fall off on its own. Although it may appear to be a good idea to assist your baby’s stump in coming off sooner, do not pull it off on your own, even if it appears to be dangling or hanging by a thread.
- Keep an eye out for signs of infection, such as redness and swelling. There may be fluid discharge, a foul odor, or bleeding in some cases. If you suspect an infection, contact your baby’s provider right away.
How Should Care for Baby’s Belly Button After The Mentioned Thing Has Been Removed?
When the cord is cut, your child’s belly button may bleed slightly. Light bleeding is normal and is similar to a scab falling off. If your child’s cord falls off and they continue to bleed, take them to the emergency room.
Continue giving your baby a sponge bath for a few days after the stump falls off to ensure that the entire cord has been removed and there is no bleeding from the area. Then you can give your baby a bath in a tub.
