What is the umbilical cord? 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 does
the umbilical cord look like? The umbilical cord is a flexible,
tube-like structure that has a spongy appearance. The cord is
surrounded in a jelly-like substance. After childbirth, the cord
is either clamped or tied off before it is cut, leaving a stump
behind. In most nurseries, an antibacterial dye (usually blue in
color) is applied to the stump, which may temporarily stain the
cord and surrounding skin. Some drainage and bleeding may occur
from the stump. However, it will soon dry, and it is normal for
the withering cord to go through color changes, from yellow to
brown or black. The stump will fall off within 1-3 weeks. How do
I take care of my newborn’s umbilical cord? It is important to
keep the cord clean and dry while it is healing. In order to
keep the cord