The umbilical cord

The umbilical cord is cut at birth. What purpose does it serve? When and how is it cut? Is it true that the father can do it? Here are the answers to your questions about the umbilical cord.

What is the umbilical cord for?
The umbilical cord feeds the child in the mother’s stomach, linking the foetus to the placenta. It contains three blood vessels: one vein and two arteries. At the placenta, the vein collects nutrients and oxygen from the mother's blood and brings these to the foetus. The two arteries take away waste.

What is the umbilical cord like?
It’s a gelatinous, whitish cord that measures 50-60cm long and is 2cm thick. It’s twisted because the two arteries are wound around the vein. At one end it spreads itself out at the placenta, and at the other end it is connected to the belly button of the foetus.

When and how is the umbilical cord cut?
When the baby is born, the cord is cut with special tongs. But it is also possible to place the baby on the mother’s stomach and let the parents see their baby before the cord is cut a few minutes later. Sometimes the father is asked if he would like to cut the cord himself, as a symbolic act. At the baby’s first health check, the doctor will re-cut the cord 1cm from the belly button and make sure that the arteries and vein are still intact.

What happens when the cord is cut?
The first breath and clamping of the umbilical cord changes the newborn’s blood circulation: the dual circulation essential for life takes over and the baby is able to breathe air.

Removal of the remains of the umbilical cord
After the cord is cut, the stump is disinfected and protected with a sterile bandage. You’ll be shown how to do this at the maternity ward. It’s not difficult to do and doesn't hurt baby. After 6 to 8 days the remains of the cord dries and falls off. Continue to disinfect and protect the belly button until it heals. This takes between 12-15 days. If the cord takes longer to fall off, consult a doctor.

Problems linked to the cord
One of the biggest risks linked to the cord is that it can be squashed, which prevents blood transfer from the mother. This can happen when the waters break prematurely and the cord slips out through the opening cervix and down into the birth canal (prolapsed cord). Medical surveillance is important. Umbilical prolapse can lead to the need for a Caesarean birth. The umbilical cord can also get wrapped around the baby’s neck. Doctors can move the cord, or if it poses a risk it may be cut before the birth (in which case the birth will be carried out without delay).

The symbolism of the umbilical cord
In the West we usually throw away the umbilical cord, but in some cultures it is said to have magical powers and is used in certain rites. Find out more about the symbolism of the cord in our article on childbirth around the world. One expression still used is 'cut the cord' as in 'cut the apron strings' and stop being so dependent on your mother!