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The umbilical cord is the connection between the fetus and the placenta. However, this is not its only role: the umbilical cord actively participates in the development of the fetus – it supplies it with oxygen and nutrients needed for the growth and development of organs. Irregularities in its structure and functioning may contribute to serious problems in the child’s development.
Umbilical cord – anatomy
While the feature umbilical cords it is so important, its construction is not complicated. There are 2 arteries, umbilical vein and Wharton’s jelly. It is a specific type of connective tissue, and its task is to protect against formation umbilical cords around the limbs or neck of the fetus. In the place where umbilical cord connects to the placenta, the already mentioned umbilical vessels divide into smaller ones, turn into branches and finally surround the placenta in a dense weave. After giving birth umbilical cord is cut and the tip is untied to form a navel. However, this treatment should be done in a timely manner because it is cut too early umbilical cords can lead to ischemia or damage and dysfunction to the baby’s brain.
Umbilical cord – functions
We can say that umbilical cord it is a kind of intermediary between the mother’s and child’s organism and the place of substance exchange. It is this way that the mother’s blood, rich in oxygen and nutrients necessary for proper development, reaches the baby. When it is brought to the placenta, it penetrates into its structures and allows the baby to breathe. By the umbilical cord waste products are also removed from the baby’s body and the mother’s kidneys expel them from the body. Unfortunately, every, even the smallest disturbance in structure and functioning umbilical cords poses a serious risk to the unborn child. Bends umbilical cords can obstruct the veins and arteries, which can disrupt the supply of food and oxygen to the placenta. Such incidents are prevented by the presence of Wharton’s jelly. In cases where umbilical cord wraps around the baby’s body, there are complications in childbirth. Wrapping is especially dangerous umbilical cords around the baby’s neck – this can lead to hypoxia. Cord blood is a very important factor – rich in stem cells helps diagnose and treat numerous disorders.
What does the umbilical cord look like and when does it fall off?
How it looks umbilical cord? It has a length of 50 to 70 cm – its incorrect length can also cause problems: too long can increase the risk of it wrapping around the baby’s limbs, too short – promotes premature detachment of the placenta. Research shows that they often hold babies in the womb the umbilical cord in the hand – for this reason, imitation toys are recommended for the youngest the umbilical cord in the first months of life and to replace it. When it comes off umbilical cord? This usually happens within the first two weeks of your baby being born – umbilical cord stump heals by itself and then comes off. If umbilical cord is thick, the process can take longer – up to a month