The umbilical cord may be one of the things about having a baby that confuses many people. Whether you want to know so you can answer questions of little ones, or simply to satisfy your own curiosity, you may be surprised at some of the answers.

Features

The umbilical cord connects the fetus to the placenta. According to the March of Dimes, it begins to form about five weeks after conception takes place, and will grow to be about 22 to 24 inches long. It normally contains three blood vessels: one vein and two arteries.

Function

The umbilical cord is a carrier from the placenta, which gets nutrients from the mother's blood supply, to the baby. The baby gets his oxygen and nutrients through the cord through one artery, and the cord also carries waste from the baby to the placenta through the other artery.

Potential

The umbilical cord has the potential to be useful in stem cell research and may be stored and used for that purpose.

Cord Blood

Umbilical cord blood may be saved in a blood bank for future use. If there is a case of leukemia or another need for blood or marrow in the family, the cord blood may be used.

Potential Problems

According to the March of Dimes, there are different problems that can occur with the umbilical cord, including size problems, which can cause difficulty during pregnancy or delivery. There are also other abnormalities possible, such as single umbilical artery or cord prolapse.

Source:

March of Dimes: Umbilical Cord Abnormalities

Mayo Clinic: Umbilical Cord Care