Umbilical cord purpose?

Garethgrew

What is the purpose of the umbilical cord? I read that the baby is swallowing embriotic fluid for nutrients and this goes out of its bladder when it pees and then it drinks it again and again, around and around it goes.

when a baby is born sometimes is does a poo on the way out, it's first ever poo the midwife said.

So before that does the poo go out of the umbilical cord?

GwylimT

Wow, i'm actually amazed.

bossymoo

GwylimT wrote: »

Wow, i'm actually amazed.

Made me smile this morning:D

Garethgrew

What's the answer? What happen to baby poo ?

BrassicWoman

is google broken again?

ognum

Garethgrew wrote: »

What is the purpose of the umbilical cord? I read that the baby is swallowing embriotic fluid for nutrients and this goes out of its bladder when it pees and then it drinks it again and again, around and around it goes.

when a baby is born sometimes is does a poo on the way out, it's first ever poo the midwife said.

So before that does the poo go out of the umbilical cord?

Google is your friend

unforeseen

It tethers the baby in until it is ready to be born, otherwise it would pop out every time you cough

Laconic

Really? Ok. Here's a fantastic lay explanation, that's actually interesting even if Google is your friend: http://www.askdramy.com/Chap28.html

To answer the other question about poo, a foetus does not derive its sustenance by eating -- metabolic waste is removed in part through the umbilical cord and in part through the kidneys as they develop. However, it does swallow amniotic fluid (and everything floating in it) and digest them, which is normally kept back until after the baby is born. If it's passed before birth, it means either that they are distressed or are post-dates, neither of which is good!

kingfisherblue

Just to complicate matters, some babies are born without a fullly developed oesophagus, meaning that they cannot swallow. It is called oesophageal atresia. Although it isn't common, it occurs in around one in 3500 births:

http://www.tofs.org.uk/home.aspx

Fortunately, it is repairable after birth, but can lead to other complications (feeding difficulties, speech delay, choking, reflux). Mums who have a baby with OA frequently have polyhydramnios (too much fluid) because the baby cannot swallow anything whilst in the womb.

meer53

Garethgrew wrote: »

What is the purpose of the umbilical cord? I read that the baby is swallowing embriotic fluid for nutrients and this goes out of its bladder when it pees and then it drinks it again and again, around and around it goes.

when a baby is born sometimes is does a poo on the way out, it's first ever poo the midwife said.

So before that does the poo go out of the umbilical cord?

I hope you aren't expecting a baby because i really don't think you're quite ready.

fierystormcloud

meer53 wrote: »

I hope you aren't expecting a baby because i really don't think you're quite ready.

Bit unfair. The OP is just genuinely not sure.

What's more, my eldest sister didn't know how to change a nappy when she had her first baby, and had to get the midwife to show her. She had also no clue how to breastfeed; again the midwife showed her. She still ended up being one of the best mothers ever - and still is.

There are lots of things that some may deem silly or daft to ask, but the fact is that in many cases, you don't know about something unless you ask. One girl I work with asked if they use English money in Liverpool. She was laughed at for weeks, but she didn't know (she was only 17.)

unforeseen wrote: »

It tethers the baby in until it is ready to be born, otherwise it would pop out every time you cough

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::T:T:T:T

I am not laughing at the OP, because as I said, some people just don't know certain things, but that did make me giggle!