Understanding the Importance of the Umbilical Cord

Abstract

The umbilical cord represents the physical as well as emotional bond that occurs between mother and child. This design enables oxygen and nutrients to flow from the maternal circulation to the fetal circulation, as well as waste products to be removed from the fetal circulation and returned to the mother. Despite our awareness of abnormalities and associated pathology, there is “no evidence that early cord clamping is desirable, and neither immediate nor delayed cord clamping causes long-term harm. Instead of messing with the delicate, nuanced, and only partially understood design of the physiologic infant transition, it is wiser to emulate nature until we have sufficient evidence to indicate otherwise”.