Purpose of the Umbilical Cord

The umbilical cord sustains a baby’s life, growth and development in the womb. However, once the baby is born and can breathe and consume milk, the cord becomes unnecessary. “Your baby’s umbilical cord is a tube-like structure that contains three blood vessels,” said Amber Samuel, M.D., a maternal-fetal medicine specialist and medical director at Obstetrix® Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialists of Houston, part of Pediatrix® Medical Group. “These blood vessels consist of two uterine arteries that carry waste from your baby back to the placenta, along with one vein that carries food and oxygen from the placenta to your baby.”

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