The normal umbilical cord of newborn is one of the most important factors in maintaining the newborn’s safety, as the fetus is nourished through this cord throughout the pregnancy, and during birth, it must be separated precisely, so as not to cause any harm to the newborn.
Doctors point out that the normal umbilical cord of newborn, which is the part that remains in the baby’s body after birth, is somewhat pale yellow, and some arteries may appear on it. This umbilical cord should usually dry up and fall off the baby’s body on its own within 5 to 15 days at most of the newborn’s life, with the necessity of constantly cleaning it; so that it does not cause any infection or harm to the baby.
The umbilical cord’s primary function during pregnancy is to work alongside the placenta to nourish the fetus.
More clearly, the placenta can be considered the fetus’s lungs, digestive system, and heart during embryonic development, while the umbilical cord serves as the link between the fetus and the placenta, delivering blood, nutrients, and oxygen.
The umbilical cord also transports deoxygenated blood, which is loaded with carbon dioxide and waste, from the fetus to the placenta and so on.
The umbilical cord forms in the mother’s uterus during the first trimester of pregnancy, connecting the developing fetus to the uterine wall.
One end of the umbilical cord is connected to the mother, always located in the center of the placenta, while the other end, is connected to the fetus in the abdominal region, specifically in the area that will later become known as the navel (belly button).
When looking at the appearance of the normal umbilical cord of newborn, we find that it is a rather thick cord with coils along its length. Scientists have indicated that these coils facilitate the cord’s expansion as the fetus grows without putting pressure on it. It is also surrounded by a white, gelatinous connective tissue known as Wharton’s jelly to enhance the cord’s protection and flexibility.
The umbilical cord contains 3 blood vessels that are divided into one vein and two arteries, as follows:
No, because the umbilical cord does not contain any sensory nerve cells, and therefore, the baby does not feel pain when the umbilical cord is cut during birth, nor when the umbilical cord dries up and falls off after birth.
After birth, there will be no need for the umbilical cord, so the part remaining in the fetus’s body after the umbilical cord has been cut will begin to dry out and gradually shrink, and the normal umbilical cord of newborn fall off spontaneously within 5 to 15 days after birth.
The normal umbilical cord of newborn usually dries up and falls off within two to three weeks after birth. However, suppose the umbilical cord stump remains intact and does not fall off after three weeks or more. In that case, it is important to consult a doctor, as this may be a sign of a medical condition that requires urgent medical newborn baby care.
Usually, the stump of the umbilical cord will turn from greenish yellow to brown and then black as it dries up and falls off, and this may take from 1 to 2 or 3 weeks at most
If you are wondering how to take care of a newborn, especially the umbilical cord, be sure that the healthcare provider will guide any mother or father on the correct way to take care of the umbilical cord stump so that it does not cause any infection or harm to the newborn until it falls off.
Generally, you should pay attention to the following tips to maintain normal umbilical cord of newborn:
When the normal umbilical cord of newborn dries spontaneously and falls off properly, you may notice a little blood. You can gently clean the blood off, but if there is significant bleeding, you should consult a pediatrician or seek home health care services.
You should also contact your pediatrician if the umbilical cord falls off incorrectly and causes severe bleeding, and the baby cries continuously.
The baby’s umbilical cord area (Belly Button) can be gently cleaned using a wet cotton swab, and avoid using chemicals such as soap, creams, and alcohol to avoid causing any health problems for the baby.
This varies from one baby to another, but in most cases, a newborn’s (Belly Button) navel is expected to heal within just 7 days.
It is important to monitor the newborn’s Belly Button for any signs of infection, whether swelling, redness, discharge, odor, or bleeding. If this is observed and is accompanied by high temperature, contact a center that provides comprehensive emergency obstetric and newborn care to help you protect and treat your newborn.
Common umbilical cord warning signs that require immediate medical attention, newborn care providers, or home nursing services for newborns include:
Certainly, these signs don’t appear in cases of normal umbilical cord of newborn
Common conditions that may negatively affect the function of the umbilical cord and its role in delivering nutrients to the fetus during pregnancy include:
If you notice that your newborn’s umbilical cord stump hasn’t dried out or fallen off spontaneously, even after more than three weeks have passed since birth.
If you also notice bleeding, pus, discharge, redness, or swelling in the navel area, either before or after the umbilical cord stump falls off.
And if you don’t know things to do while babysitting to protect your newborn’s umbilical cord stump,
Especially if this is accompanied by a high temperature, refusal to breastfeed, or possibly yellowing of the newborn’s skin and eyes, requires care of newborn with hyperbilirubinemia
Certainly, all of these cases require immediate contact with your pediatrician or healthcare provider.
Some of the most important tips to maintain a normal umbilical cord of newborn include:
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The normal umbilical cord of newborn is yellow-green after birth, then it begins to dry out and turns brown, and then black. It resembles a rope with coils extending along its length.
Harmless yellow granulation tissue may grow in place of your baby’s navel after the umbilical cord falls off, sometimes oozing a yellowish color onto the skin.
However, in general, if you notice a change in your baby’s color, you should consult your pediatrician.
After the umbilical cord stump falls off, slight bleeding, redness, and some minor discharge may occur in the navel area. However, this should completely disappear and heal within two weeks at most. If it does not heal within this period, consult your doctor.
The normal umbilical cord of newborn may take 7 to 14 days for complete healing
They include: Infection, pus discharge, bleeding, and high body temperature.
Sources:
https://med.stanford.edu/newborns/professional-education/photo-gallery/umbilical-cord.html
