What is the importance of the cord that connects you to your baby?
                     What is The Importance Of The Cord 
That Connects You To Your Baby?
Cord blood stem cell preservation
Introduction
 Some poets have taken the poetic liberty 
to phrase the umbilical cord as “the 
string of life”. We don’t deny that either. 
That’s because, during pregnancy, it is 
this cord that connects the mother to the 
baby physically and emotionally. 
 And undeniably, this is the route to love 
and nurture, while the baby is still slowly 
growing inside.
 But, the functions of the cord don’t end 
here only.
The Umbilical Cord is a Tube-Like Structure
 The umbilical-cord is a tube-like 
structure, which is formed during the 
early phases of the embryological 
development.
 Made up of two small arteries and one 
long vein, it connects the foetus with the 
placenta and becomes the supply line of 
blood and food for the developing baby.
The Umbilical Cord is a Tube-Like Structure
 The cord becomes progressively 
longer until the 28th week and 
reaches an average length of 22 to 
24 inches. The length of the of the 
cord, depends upon the 
measurement of the embryo and the 
foetus, which is known as “crown-
rump length”. 
 Therefore, the umbilical cord in its 
full-term is usually about 50 
centimetres long and 2 centimetres 
wide.
The Umbilical Cord is Also Known as “The Supply 
Line”
Since it carries the blood back and 
forth between the baby and the 
placenta through the three vessels; 
two arteries and one vein, the 
umbilical cord is also known as “The 
Supply Line”. While the arteries carry 
the blood away from foetus, the vein 
the carries blood towards the foetus’ 
heart.
The Umbilical Cord is Also Known as “The Supply 
Line”
 Going deeper, we found out that the 
blood in the umbilical arteries has 
impurities and waste products, like 
carbon dioxide. It carries the waste 
or impure products across the 
placenta to the bloodstream and 
finally to the lungs. It likewise 
allows all the impurities to be 
breathed out from the lungs, 
without affecting the growing baby 
even by an inch.
The Umbilical Cord is Also Known as “The Supply 
Line”
 Once the impurities from the blood is 
released, the umbilical vein during 
such time helps in transporting the 
oxygenated blood and the much-need 
nutrients from the mother’s food to the 
placenta and finally to the baby, 
thereby nurturing it.
 The cord is not directly connected to 
the mother’s circulatory system, but 
transfers materials to and from the 
maternal blood without direct mixing.
The Umbilical Vessels are Protected
Since these vessels are working so 
hard behind nurturing a small life 
inside with all the love and care, it 
needs to be sheltered too. Isn’t it? 
Therefore, a gelatine-like substance 
known as the “Wharton’s Jelly” 
protects the functional characteristics 
of the umbilical vessels. The cord is 
coiled like spring around this jelly, 
encouraging the baby’s movement. 
The coiling pattern establishes itself by 
the ninth week.
Umbilical Cord Abnormalities
Some of the common umbilical cord 
abnormalities are:
 Length: The cord may be too long or short.
 Placenta Insertion: The cord may not 
connect to the placenta properly
 Cord Compression: Nuchal cord or 
entanglement of the umbilical cord around 
the fetal neck.
Cord abnormalities may lead to problems 
during pregnancy or during labor and delivery.
Slight Delay in Clamping Won’t Harm!
Since are no nerves in the cord, 
cutting the cord is a painless and a 
quick process. After delivery the cord 
vessels close down on their own. While 
the arteries close first and save the 
blood loss to the placenta from the 
baby, the vein closes slightly later, 
allowing the blood to continue to 
return to the baby. As a result, slight 
delay in clamping won’t cause any 
harm.
Time to Preserve Your Baby’s Umbilical Cord
 But after clamping, the cord is not 
treated as a medical waste by the 
health practitioners anymore. Being 
aware of the fact that both the umbilical 
blood and tissue is rich in stem cells like 
Haematopoietic (HSCs), Mesenchymal 
(MSCs) and Epithelial (EpSCs), today 
there is an option for cord blood 
banking. However, as parents, you 
should carefully assess multiple  factors 
before you zero down on the cord blood 
banking company whom you will 
entrust to secure your baby’s precious 
stem cells.
About CordlifeIndia
 CordlifeIndia provides services like advantages of umbilical cord stem cells, 
stem cell preservation.
 CordlifeIndia is a consumer healthcare company catering to the mother and 
child segment. 
 We provide reliable healthcare solutions through innovation, technological 
advancement and commitment to quality .
References
 https://www.cordlifeindia.com/blog/importance-cord-connects-ba
by/
 http://familyeducation.com/pregnancy/fetal-growth-
development/role-umbilical-cord
 http://sciencing.com/organs-make-up-circulatory-system-
8566255.html
 http://marchofdimes.org/pregnancy/umbilical-cord-
abnormalities.aspx