The umbilical cord: 7 common questions
Practical guide — your newborn's umbilical cord
- What is the umbilical cord and what does it do?
- When and how is the umbilical cord cut?
- How long does the cord take to fall off after the birth?
- How do you care for the umbilical cord?
- How do you recognize an infection of the umbilical cord?
- When should you seek help for a problem with the cord?
- Can you keep the cord or the placenta? What does the law say?
What is the umbilical cord and what does it do?
The umbilical cord is that vital link — in the literal sense — between mother and baby throughout the pregnancy. It connects the fetus to the placenta and, through this "cord of life",
nutrients
oxygen
everything the baby needs to grow.
After the birth, the cord still plays a few crucial roles ✨: it also contains valuable stem cells, which in some settings can be collected and stored.
Once your baby has arrived, that same cord is clamped and then cut — symbolically (and physiologically) severing the link of dependence and turning your child into an independent newborn.
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When and how is the umbilical cord cut?
When and how the cord is cut is a matter for discussion and personal choice, both in hospitals and in the context of doula support.
Right after birth, the cord quickly stops pulsing, signalling that the main transfer of placental blood to the baby is complete. Many professionals now recommend "delayed clamping " of the cord: you wait 1 to 3 minutes (sometimes longer) so the newborn gets all the remaining blood. This simple gesture is linked to a better transition for the baby — a better hemoglobin level.
Here's a summary of when the cord is cut under current practices:
| Cutting practice | When it's cut | Main benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate clamping | Within the first minute | Matches the older protocols; lowers the risk of jaundice |
| Delayed clamping | 1 to 3 minutes after the birth | Better iron stores, a smoother physiological transition |
| Lotus birth | No cutting; the cord falls off naturally (3 to 7 days) | A gentle transition, spiritual meaning, no extra handling |
How long does the cord take to fall off after the birth?
Once it's cut, a small stump of a few centimetres remains, sometimes called the cord "tail". This bit of cord dries out and eventually falls off on its own. The process takes on average 5 to 20 days.
Exactly how long it takes depends on many factors, including how the stump is cared for and, above all, the absence of infection or maceration (lingering moisture).
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How do you care for the umbilical cord?
Caring for the cord causes a lot of worry among new parents. Believe me, keeping it simple usually wins 💧!
Here are my basic recommendations:
🌬️ Leave the cord open to the air as much as you can
💦 Clean it gently with lukewarm water as needed (no routine alcohol, unless a health professional says otherwise).
🌞 Dry the stump well, patting gently.
👶🏼 Fold the diaper down below the cord to avoid rubbing and moisture.
🧴 Avoid ointments, powders or lotions that haven't been prescribed.
If you notice anything unusual (a strong smell, persistent oozing, marked redness, heavy bleeding…), contact your doctor or your birth doula without delay.
How do you recognize an infection of the umbilical cord?
It pays to stay alert — although infections (omphalitis) are rare these days, spotting them early means avoiding any trouble! Here are the signs worth paying attention to:
🚨 Redness spreading across the abdomen
👃 A persistent foul smell
💦 Yellow or greenish oozing
🩸 Bleeding that's hard to stop
🙁 A baby who seems uncomfortable or has a fever
I'll say it again: if you're at all unsure, see your health professional promptly.
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When should you seek help for a problem with the cord?
Most stumps fall off without any trouble, but a few signs mean you should get it looked at right away:
A stump that hasn't fallen off after 21 days
Pus, severe redness, a strong smell
A baby who is irritable, listless, or has a fever
Bleeding that continues despite gentle pressure
If you notice any of these signs, get in touch with a health professional or your birth doula.
Can you keep the cord or the placenta? What does the law say?
This question is coming up more and more with families who care about a physiological welcome! If you'd like to keep a memento, in most maternity units in Quebec you can ask to keep the dried cord, or even the placenta.
In Quebec, unless there's a medical reason not to (if tests are needed), the placenta does indeed belong to the family. Do be careful about eating it (encapsulation) or using it medicinally, though — those practices have no scientific oversight.
Remember that every pregnancy is unique
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