The umbilical cord serves as a vital connection during pregnancy, delivering oxygen and essential nutrients from the placenta to the developing fetus. After birth, this connection is no longer needed, leading to its cutting. Many wonder if this procedure causes pain.
Why Neither Mother Nor Baby Feels the Cut
The primary reason neither the baby nor the mother feels the umbilical cord being cut is its unique anatomical structure. The umbilical cord does not contain pain-transmitting nerves. Instead, it is primarily composed of two umbilical arteries, one umbilical vein, and a protective gelatinous substance called Wharton’s jelly.
This absence of nerve endings means the baby has no sensory perception in the cord itself. Any crying observed in newborns immediately after birth is typically a response to the sudden change in environment, the sensation of air on their skin, or the physiological adjustments involved in independent breathing, rather than pain from the cord being severed.
For the mother, the umbilical cord is not directly connected to her nervous system. It is physiologically and genetically part of the fetus and the placenta. After the baby is born, the placenta detaches from the uterine wall, with the umbilical cord remaining attached to the placenta. Any sensations experienced by the mother at this time are typically related to uterine contractions or the emotional significance of the moment, not physical pain from the cord.
What Happens After the Cord is Cut
Immediately after birth, the umbilical cord is clamped in two places and cut between these clamps. This routine procedure separates the newborn from the placenta, as the baby is now ready to breathe and obtain nutrients independently. In many cases, healthcare providers may practice delayed cord clamping, waiting for one to three minutes, or until the cord stops pulsating, before cutting. This allows for an additional transfer of blood from the placenta to the baby, which can increase the baby’s blood volume and iron stores.
After the cord is cut, a small segment, known as the umbilical stump, remains attached to the baby’s abdomen. This stump undergoes a natural process of drying, shrinking, and changing color, typically transitioning from yellowish-green to brown and then black. The stump usually detaches on its own within one to three weeks after birth, with many falling off between five and fourteen days.
Proper care of the umbilical stump involves keeping it clean and dry to prevent infection. This often includes folding the baby’s diaper below the stump to expose it to air and opting for sponge baths instead of full tub baths until it falls off. A small amount of discharge or slight bleeding as the stump heals and detaches is considered normal. Once the stump falls off, the area heals, forming the baby’s navel or belly button.