Can your umbilical cord save your life?

But did you know that even then, your baby’s umbilical cord can still save lives? Blood from the umbilical cord contains a special type of blood cells. These hematopoietic stem cells are used to treat and cure blood disorders, immune deficiencies, metabolic diseases and even some cancers.

Does the umbilical cord carry nutrients?

The umbilical cord carries nutrients and oxygen from your placenta into your baby’s body, and then carries waste material out. The umbilical cord has two arteries and one vein. The vein’s job is to transport oxygen and nutrients from your placenta, to your baby.

Why is the umbilical cord considered a lifeline?

The umbilical cord is the baby’s lifeline to the mother during pregnancy. The cord transports nutrients to the baby and also carries away the baby’s waste products. It is made up of two arteries and one vein.

What are the benefits of keeping the umbilical cord?

The umbilical cord fluid is loaded with stem cells. They can treat cancer, blood diseases like anemia, and some immune system disorders, which disrupt your body’s ability to defend itself. The fluid is easy to collect and has 10 times more stem cells than those collected from bone marrow.

How do you make umbilical cord keepsake?

Making your own Cord Keepsake: Place the cord onto a small piece of non-stick parchment or greaseproof paper. Shape the cord into your desired keepsake shape. Hearts and spirals are the most preferred shapes, but if your cord is long you can also make words like ‘love’ or your baby’s initials or name.

What happens to the umbilical cord inside the baby?

Now to your question, what happens to the cord? It is expelled from the mother within a half-hour after birth. It is still attached to the placenta, which is commonly called “the afterbirth.” With its function completed, it is no longer needed and so is discarded by the mother’s body.

What is umbilical cord made of?

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.

Why does the umbilical cord smell?

While the stump is drying up and just after it falls off, you might notice some oozing around baby’s belly button. This might be clear, sticky or brownish, and it might leave a mark on your baby’s clothes or nappy. It might also smell a little. This is part of the healing process.

Can I cover umbilical cord?

Keep the umbilical cord stump clean and dry. Experts recommend “dry cord care,” which means allowing air to reach the cord stump and not covering it in water or ointments.