UMBILICAL CORD
- Apr 26, 2023
- 1 min read
Updated: Feb 28, 2025
The umbilical cord is a soft tube-like organ that connects you and your baby through your placenta from the early stages of pregnancy. This vital organ can be 19 to 23 inches in length. The umbilical cord is responsible for transferring oxygen and nutrient-rich blood from you to your baby.
The umbilical cord also removes waste from your baby. When your baby is born, your provider or your support person will cut the umbilical cord, leaving a small piece, called a stump behind. The stump will fall off within your baby’s first 1-3 weeks of life.
