All about the umbilical cord: normal values, functions during pregnancy and appearance

A mother and her unborn child’s umbilical cord is an essential part of their relationship during pregnancy. Because it gives the unborn child all the vital nutrients and oxygen it needs to develop inside the womb, it’s frequently referred to as the baby’s lifeline. The umbilical cord, despite its apparent simplicity, is an intricate and vital component of a baby’s development.

Parents can prepare themselves by being aware of the normal values for the umbilical cord, such as its length and thickness. It’s also critical to understand the appearance and functions of a healthy umbilical cord during pregnancy.

Everything parents need to know about the umbilical cord will be covered in this article, from how it supports a baby’s health to what it should look like at birth.

Aspect	Details
Normal Length	A typical umbilical cord is about 50-60 cm long, but it can vary.
Function During Pregnancy	The umbilical cord delivers oxygen and nutrients from the placenta to the baby.
Appearance	It is a whitish, rope-like structure with three blood vessels inside.
Normal Thickness	The cord is usually around 1-2 cm in diameter.
Common Concerns	Short or long cords may cause complications, but most cords are healthy.

What is it?

The umbilical cord, which joins the placenta and the small embryo, is referred to by medical professionals as the umbilical cord. The mother’s body is linked to the child’s through this unique "bridge." This kind of relationship starts almost in the very beginning of pregnancy and continues all the way to labor.

The fact that animals other than humans have umbilical chords is intriguing. All vertebrates have an organ similar to this one, where embryonic membranes develop during pregnancy. But the human umbilical cord is not structured the same way. In comparison to other mammals, it is far more complex.

The umbilical cord is bifurcated. The fetus’s abdominal wall has one of them attached, and the placental tissue has the other. Later on, the baby will have a well-known "mark" in the area where the umbilical cord is connected to its stomach: the navel. It will become visible after the baby is delivered and the umbilical cord is cut by the doctor using a specialized tool. Histologically, connective tissue makes up the majority of the umbilical cord. Along with other components, it also includes remnants of the previous embryonic membranes and the amniotic cover.

Appearance

A characteristic feature of the umbilical cord is how it looks. The umbilical cord is a fairly long "cord" that can form loops. The longer the umbilical cord, the more loops it can form. The umbilical cord, as a rule, has a gray-blue color. The presence of a blue tint is due to the fact that there are veins inside the umbilical cord. The umbilical cord is a truly unique organ, since it appears only during pregnancy. After the baby is born, the umbilical cord is cut. The outer surface of the umbilical cord is quite smooth and even. The mucous membranes are quite shiny in appearance. The umbilical cord has good elasticity. This can be felt after the birth of the child when the umbilical cord is cut. The density of the umbilical cord is somewhat reminiscent of soft rubber.

Structure

The umbilical cord may have the appearance of a straightforward lace, but its anatomical "structure" is actually quite intricate. Thus, in addition to other anatomical components, blood vessels pass through the umbilical cord. Every one of them serves specific purposes and has unique structural characteristics.

Arteries

The fetal blood, which is rich in carbon dioxide, travels to the placental tissue through the umbilical arteries. Metabolites that were produced by the child’s body are also present in this blood. The mother’s internal iliac arteries give rise to the umbilical arteries. Researchers have found that a specific volume of blood passes through the umbilical cord during each stage of pregnancy. As a result, by the 20th week of pregnancy, the umbilical arteries are passing through 35 ml of blood every minute. The amount of blood that exits the veins is equal to the amount that enters the arteries. This biological principle governs how a child’s body functions.

The amount of blood going to the placenta rises gradually. This means that by the last few weeks of pregnancy, this rate has already reached 240 ml/min. More blood passes through the umbilical blood vessel system as the baby gets bigger. The umbilical arteries are only active during gestation. Following the child’s birth, they "close" and transform into unique strands. They are also known as medial umbilical folds (ligamenta medialis umbilicalis) by specialists. These scar fibers travel beneath the peritoneum’s parietal leaflet on the side of the bladder’s anterior abdominal wall. It reaches the navel where the medial umbilical folds end.

Veins

The umbilical veins are paired at birth. The right umbilical vein eventually becomes obliterated (closed). Oxygenated and nutrient-rich blood from the placental tissue passes through them. A particular venous duct called the Arnatius duct allows a significant portion of blood to enter the inferior vena cava system. Less of it gets into the bloodstream through the portal. The umbilical vein and the left branch of the portal vein anastomose to allow for this to occur. The liver tissue’s blood supply depends on this blood.

Urachus

The placenta and bladder are connected by this unique, thin duct. Upon the baby’s birth, the urahus closes completely. It becomes a scar cord known as the ligamentum medianum umbilicale, or median umbilical ligament. It is a lengthy strip that crosses the abdominal cavity midline. In actuality, there are instances in which the urachus does not shut entirely. The likelihood of pathology developing in such a scenario is fairly high. A pathological condition where this embryonic duct does not close completely is called a urachus cyst.

Vitelline duct

This anatomical feature is an elongated cord that joins the yolk sac and the embryo’s intestines. Nutrients necessary for intrauterine development are found in the yolk sac. The egg stores them prior to fertilization. In this instance, lecithin is the primary nutrient. Only during the first trimester of pregnancy is this anatomical component preserved. The yellow duct then starts to progressively overgrow. There may also be associations with specific pathologies. Thus, failure to close it by a specific time may result in the pathological condition known as Meckel’s diverticulum formation.

Wharton"s jelly

This anatomical component is crucial. It carries out a wide range of tasks essential to the fetus’s complete intrauterine development. Connective tissue is Wharton’s jelly’s foundation. This anatomical element has an unusual appearance. Its consistency is gelatinous or jelly-like, and mucopolysaccharides make up the majority of its chemical makeup. Wharton’s jelly’s primary purpose is to shield the blood vessels inside the umbilical cord from different mechanical stresses. Additionally, the umbilical arteries and veins are shielded from various kinks and compressions by the gelatinous fluid.

Wharton’s jelly has its own blood vessels, it should be noted. They are highly responsive to oxytocin, a crucial pregnancy hormone. This sensitivity is particularly noticeable when giving birth. Blood vessels in the warton jelly start to constrict when the baby is born because the female body’s oxytocin levels drop after delivery. The result of this reaction is that the umbilical cord atrophy happens very fast. Only a limited amount of time is spent with blood flowing through it.

The length is normal

There may be variations in this indication. The umbilical cord’s length is a unique measurement. The umbilical cord can differ in length even between pregnancies in the same woman. Researchers have found that the umbilical chord typically measures between 40 and 70 centimeters in length. The umbilical cord must be this long in order for the baby to be able to move freely and actively. Both the number and amplitude of the child’s movements increase dramatically during intrauterine development.

Dangerous pathologies can result from both an excessively long or short umbilical cord and active motor activity.

There are several causes of elongation. According to medical professionals, genetic predisposition may even have an impact on the length of the umbilical cord. Based on statistical data, it is possible for the umbilical cord to grow longer during a second pregnancy than it did during the first. The umbilical chord may elongate during pregnancy for a variety of reasons. In every particular instance, they are unique. Some pathologies of pregnancy can arise from excessive elongation of the umbilical cord. In this instance, medical professionals closely monitor the pregnancy’s progress.

Functions

The main function of the umbilical cord is to provide the fetus with all the nutrients and oxygen for its vital functions. The baby cannot eat on his own during his life in the mother"s womb. It “feeds” on proteins, fats and carbohydrates, which it receives through the blood from its mother. The fetus feeds in this way throughout its intrauterine life. The umbilical cord is also a kind of “bridge” between the mother and the baby. During the intrauterine life of the fetus, not only a biological but also a mental connection is formed between it and its mother. Many scientific studies have proven that at a certain stage of its development, the baby is able to feel the mother’s experiences and even react to changes in her mood.

How it attaches to the placenta?

One crucial clinical criterion is the placenta’s attachment to the umbilical cord. The way the umbilical cord attaches to the placental tissue even affects the baby’s intrauterine development. The umbilical cord’s attachment to the center of the placenta is the most physiological choice. Physicians refer to this option as central. The likelihood of experiencing any pregnancy-related complications in this case is very low.

Nonetheless, there are instances in obstetric practice where the placenta and umbilical cord are connected "incorrectly." The membranes or even the vicinity of the edge may become attached. In this instance, harmful pregnancy-related issues may arise and jeopardize the health of the unborn child.

Various pathologies

An extremely vital organ is the umbilical cord. The baby, who "lives" in the mother’s womb, is guaranteed full growth and development by its physiological structure. Defects in the umbilical cord’s structure have the potential to contribute to the development of serious diseases.

Entanglement

A rather unfavorable pathology that can develop during pregnancy is the entanglement of the umbilical cord around the baby"s neck. Usually, this situation develops if the length of the umbilical cord exceeds 70 cm. A too long umbilical cord begins to curl into loops that entangle the child. Loops of the umbilical cord can be wrapped not only in the neck, but also the stomach, as well as the limbs of the fetus. The forecast of the course of pregnancy and the upcoming birth depends on how the loops of the umbilical cord on the child are located. So, if the umbilical loop is in the cervical furrow of the baby and squeezes it strongly, then this can lead to the development of asphyxia during a natural birth. If there are several loops, then in this case this situation can be extremely dangerous. As a rule, with a strong multiple entanglement, doctors try to prevent a natural birth, but plan to conduct a cesarean section in advance. The umbierior of the umbilical cord is not always an absolute indication for the surgical method of obstetric care. Caesarean section with such a pathology is carried out if the risk of developing various injuries and damage during natural independent genera is quite high.

Nodes

Knots on the umbilical cord are an additional potential pathology that could cause an interruption to a typical pregnancy. Specialists identify multiple categories of these structures. Nodes can therefore be true or false. Typically, during the first half of pregnancy, true nodes form. The child is still very small and active at this age. The umbilical cord may "get tangled" and develop nodules as a result of the baby’s intense motor activity.

This kind of pathology may have various outcomes. The development of intrauterine hypoxia is facilitated by the presence of numerous nodes on the umbilical cord, which can cause an interruption in the blood supply that supplies oxygen and nutrients to the child’s body. The child’s internal organs are not able to function to their full capacity in this situation, which leads to the development of pathologies. Furthermore, genuine nodes may present a particular "obstacle" during a natural childbirth. Such knots on the umbilical cord can become very tight during the baby’s passage through the birth canal, potentially endangering the child’s life.

Doctors must perform emergency surgery in this kind of circumstance. Every minute that passes between receiving medical attention is sometimes crucial.

Obstetric practice also encounters false knots. The umbilical cord’s diameter grows in this instance. When there are false knots on the umbilical cord during pregnancy, the prognosis is typically good.

Prolapse

The biomechanics of labor has strict sequential stages. Due to the fact that the child gradually moves along the birth canal, its birth is not accompanied by the development of any injuries or dangerous damage. However, if the biomechanics of labor is disturbed, then in such a situation, very dangerous conditions can develop during labor. One of them is the prolapse of the umbilical cord loops. In this case, the umbilical cord penetrates the cervix and even the vagina immediately with the discharge of amniotic fluid. In such a situation, dangerous conditions may arise when the fetus moves through the birth canal. The baby can simply squeeze the umbilical cord, which will lead to a sharp decrease in the oxygen level in its blood. Oxygen deficiency in this case will lead to the development of hypoxia, which can ultimately even lead to cardiac dysfunction in the fetus.

Obstetricians and gynecologists observe that premature births complicated by presentation carry a significant risk of umbilical cord loop prolapse. This is something that a pregnant woman may encounter outside of a hospital. Amniotic fluid rupture accompanied by prolapse of the umbilical cord loops can happen anywhere, such as in a park, on the street, at home, or at a dacha. In this case, you ought to dial an ambulance right away.

An immediate hospital admission is necessary for a pregnant woman who has experienced early prolapse of the umbilical cord loops.

Cysts

It usually becomes possible to identify a cystic formation in the umbilical cord only, as a rule, when the child is born. Unfortunately, even modern ultrasound machines do not allow doctors to find out about the presence of this pathology during pregnancy. Diagnostics of umbilical cord cysts is quite difficult. According to statistics, cysts in the umbilical cord most often form in Wharton"s jelly. The number of cystic formations can be different. Thus, there may be only one or several cysts. Note that not always with a cyst in the umbilical cord a pregnant woman experiences any complications during pregnancy. Quite often with a small and single cyst, the expectant mother and her baby do not experience any adverse symptoms.

The child will experience uncomfortable symptoms if there are numerous cysts that compress the blood vessels in the umbilical cord. As a result, the baby’s motor activity or heart rate could fluctuate. Specialists differentiate between various clinical forms of cysts. They may thus be both true and false. There is no capsule on a false cystic formation found in Wharton’s jelly. Scientists are still figuring out exactly what causes them to appear. The yolk duct’s components frequently combine to form a true cyst. It often comes in a capsule. A true cyst can range in size from a few millimeters to 1.5 cm.

Differentially diagnosing a true cyst from a false one is frequently very challenging. Only after the baby is born, when the umbilical cord is sent for a histological analysis, can this be completed.

Vascular thrombosis

Detection of this pathology during pregnancy has become possible thanks to modern ultrasound techniques. During an ultrasound, a doctor can determine thrombosis (blockage) of the umbilical vessels. The cause of such occlusion is a thrombus that blocks the lumen of the umbilical cord blood vessel. Some scientists believe that diabetes mellitus, which the expectant mother suffers from during pregnancy, can lead to the development of this pathology. Also, the risk of developing umbilical cord thrombosis is high in women who suffer from blood clotting pathologies. According to statistics, thrombosis most often develops in the umbilical vein. The prognosis for pregnancy development with such a pathology is usually unfavorable. The development of further pregnancy largely depends on how large the thrombus is and how severe the functional disorders are.

Cord blood analysis

Cordocentesis may be necessary in some pregnant cases. Blood is drawn from the umbilical cord’s blood vessels as part of this diagnostic procedure. The process of cordocentesis is intrusive. This indicates that there is a significant chance of potential complications occurring. Fetal infection is one of them. Cordocentesis is only carried out under strict medical guidelines due to the risk of such serious complications.

During pregnancy, the umbilical cord is vital because it connects the fetus to the mother, transfers waste products out of the body, and provides vital nutrients and oxygen. It’s critical to comprehend normal ranges, normal functions, and normal appearance to make sure the baby is developing normally. Parents may feel more prepared and self-assured if they know what to anticipate.

After childbirth

Following the baby’s birth, medical professionals need to evaluate the umbilical cord. To "separate" the infant from its mother, the umbilical cord must be severed. Previously, this was only done by doctors. If the father is present in the delivery room when the baby is born, he can now also cut the umbilical cord. These days, more and more parents are seizing this exceptional chance. When the umbilical cord is cut, the father of the child typically experiences genuine pride, joy, and tenderness.

The umbilical cord, which serves as a lifeline between the mother and child, is essential to a developing baby during pregnancy. It eliminates waste and gives the baby the vital nutrients and oxygen it needs to grow.

Parents can feel more at ease during pregnancy if they know what is deemed normal in terms of the cord’s length, appearance, and function. Small differences are typical and frequently cause no concern, but routine check-ups with a medical professional guarantee that everything is developing as planned.

The umbilical cord becomes inactive after birth and eventually falls off, leaving the belly button as a memento of the baby’s special bond with its mother.

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