When the baby is born, the cord is clamped and cut. Recent Canadian research has shown that there are health benefits to delaying the cutting of the cord for about two minutes. The uterus contracts a few times following the birth of the baby to expel the placenta sometimes called the afterbirth. All about the placenta and umbilical cord How do they grow?
Answers to all your questions about your baby's support system. What are the placenta and umbilical cord? How do they grow? What can a mother do to keep the placenta healthy? What happens after the birth?
Joseph Communications uses cookies for personalization, to customize its online advertisements, and for other purposes. At full term, an umbilical cord is about half a meter long, a length that allows the baby to move around safely.
It is made up of two small arteries and one larger vein. The arteries carry blood from the fetus to the placenta, while the vein delivers blood from the placenta to the fetus. Small blood vessels carry the fetal blood through the placenta, which is filled with maternal blood.
After the baby is born and the umbilical cord is cut, there is blood leftover in the umbilical cord and placenta.
The baby no longer needs this extra blood. Cord blood contains all the normal elements of blood, but it is also rich in stem cells similar to those found in bone marrow. Even if the blood vessels do not tear, the baby may suffer from lack of oxygen due to pressure on the blood vessels.
Vasa previa occurs in 1 in 2, births 4. When vasa previa is diagnosed unexpectedly at delivery, more than half of affected babies are stillborn 4. However, when vasa previa is diagnosed by ultrasound earlier in pregnancy, fetal deaths generally can be prevented by delivering the baby by cesarean section at about 35 weeks of gestation 4.
Pregnant women with vasa previa sometimes have painless vaginal bleeding in the second or third trimester. A pregnant woman who experiences vaginal bleeding should always report it to her health care provider so that the cause can be determined and any necessary steps taken to protect the baby.
About 25 percent of babies are born with a nuchal cord the umbilical cord wrapped around the baby's neck 1. A nuchal cord, also called nuchal loops, rarely causes any problems.
Babies with a nuchal cord are generally healthy. Sometimes fetal monitoring shows heart rate abnormalities during labor and delivery in babies with a nuchal cord. This may reflect pressure on the cord. However, the pressure is rarely serious enough to cause death or any lasting problems, although occasionally a cesarean delivery may be needed.
Less frequently, the umbilical cord becomes wrapped around other parts of the baby's body, such as a foot or hand. Generally, this doesn't harm the baby. About 1 percent of babies are born with one or more knots in the umbilical cord 1. Some knots form during delivery when a baby with a nuchal cord is pulled through the loop. Others form during pregnancy when the baby moves around. Knots occur most often when the umbilical cord is too long and in identical-twin pregnancies.
Identical twins share a single amniotic sac, and the babies' cords can become entangled. As long as the knot remains loose, it generally does not harm the baby.
However, sometimes the knot or knots can be pulled tight, cutting off the baby's oxygen supply. Cord knots result in miscarriage or stillbirth in 5 percent of cases 1. During labor and delivery, a tightening knot can cause the baby to have heart rate abnormalities that are detected by fetal monitoring. In some cases, a cesarean delivery may be necessary. Umbilical cord cysts are outpockets in the cord.
They are found in about 3 percent of pregnancies 2. Studies suggest that both types of cysts are sometimes associated with birth defects, including chromosomal abnormalities and kidney and abdominal defects 2.
When a cord cyst is found during an ultrasound, the provider may recommend additional tests, such as amniocentesis and a detailed ultrasound, to diagnose or rule out birth defects. The March of Dimes continues to support research aimed at preventing umbilical cord abnormalities and the complications they cause.
One grantee is studying the development of blood vessels in the umbilical cord for insight into the causes of single umbilical artery and other cord abnormalities. The goals of this study are to:. March of Dimes leads the fight for the health of all moms and babies. We support research, lead programs and provide education and advocacy so that every family can have the best possible start.
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