the Umbilical Cord: From Structure to Potential Complications. Discover everything you need to know about the umbilical cord during pregnancy. Learn about its structure, function, and potential complications in this comprehensive guide.
the Umbilical Cord: From Structure to Potential Complications
At birth, the umbilical cord plays a vital role
in delivering oxygen and nutrients to a baby in the womb. It's an essential
part of the pregnancy process, but how much do you really know about it? we'll
take an in-depth look at the umbilical cord, covering everything from its
structure and function to common conditions and potential complications.
What is the Umbilical Cord?
The umbilical cord is a flexible tube-like
structure that connects a developing fetus to the placenta, the organ that
provides nutrients and oxygen to the baby. It's made up of two arteries and one
vein, which are encased in a jelly-like substance called Wharton's jelly. The
umbilical cord is approximately 50-60 centimeters long and about 2 centimeters
thick.
Functions of the Umbilical Cord
The primary function of the umbilical cord is
to transport oxygen and nutrients from the placenta to the developing fetus and
to remove waste products, such as carbon dioxide. The umbilical cord is also
responsible for delivering important hormones and immune cells to the baby.
Umbilical Cord Conditions and Complications
While the umbilical cord is an essential part
of a healthy pregnancy, certain conditions and complications can arise. Here
are a few to be aware of:
1.
Umbilical cord prolapse: This occurs when the umbilical cord slips into
the birth canal before the baby, which can cause compression and restrict
oxygen flow to the baby.
2.
Umbilical cord compression: This happens when the cord becomes
compressed or twisted, which can also restrict oxygen flow.
3.
Nuchal cord: This occurs when the umbilical cord becomes wrapped around
the baby's neck.
4.
Umbilical cord cyst: This is a fluid-filled sac that develops on the
umbilical cord and may require medical attention.
How to care for the Umbilical Cord
After birth, the umbilical cord will be clamped
and cut, leaving a small stump that will eventually fall off within a week or two.
Here are a few tips for caring for your baby's umbilical cord stump:
1.
Keep the area clean and dry.
2.
Use a clean, damp cloth to gently clean the area around the stump.
3.
Avoid covering the stomp with tight clothing or diapers.
4.
If the stump becomes infected or shows signs of bleeding or discharge,
contact your pediatrician immediately.
Conclusion
The umbilical cord is a fascinating and crucial
part of a healthy pregnancy. By understanding its structure, function, and
potential complications, you can take better care of yourself and your baby
throughout pregnancy and beyond. If you have any concerns about your baby's
umbilical cord, be sure to speak with your doctor or midwife.
The following is an explanation of the umbilical cord during pregnancy and its development during the first weeks:
The umbilical cord is an essential structure
that connects the developing fetus to the placenta during pregnancy. This
structure is a long, flexible stalk that contains two small arteries and a
large vein. Deoxygenated fetal blood flows through the umbilical arteries to
the placenta, where it picks up oxygen and nutrients and drops off carbon
dioxide. Oxygenated blood then flows back towards the fetus's heart through the
umbilical vein.
During the second week of development, the
blastocyst has two parts: the inner embryo blast and the outer trophoblast,
which develops into the cytotrophoblast and syncitiotrophoblast. The embryo
blast contains the amniotic fluid and the hypoblast, which contains the yolk
sac that nourishes the embryonic cells. The epiblast layers differentiate into
extra-embryonic mesoderm cells that line the inside of the cytotrophoblast and
syncitiotrophoblast to form the chorion.
Within three weeks of development, the embryo
folds in two directions in the longitudinal plane, forming a cranial and caudal
fold. The folding shapes part of the yolk sac into a gut tube, and the mid-gut
is open to the yolk sac via a connection called the vitelline duct, which is
the second structure in the umbilical cord. Around the same time, the hindgut
grows a little outpocketing called the allantois, which drains the bladder and
is the third structure in the umbilical cord.
By the fourth week of development, the amniotic
cavity folds down and around the embryo, and the body stock, vitelline duct,
and allantois get pushed together to form the umbilical cord, which emerges out
of the umbilical ring on the abdominal wall. The cells lining the amniotic
cavity generate amniotic fluid, causing the amnion to swell and take over most
of the space in the chorionic cavity.
In rare cases, the vitelline duct won't regress
all the way, leaving behind a tiny remnant called Meckel's diverticulum. The
allantois continues developing into the bladder and leaves behind a remnant
called the urachus in the fetus, which is then renamed as the median umbilical
ligament once the baby's born. After birth, the umbilical vein becomes the
liver's round ligament, and the umbilical arteries become the medial umbilical
ligaments. All that remains in the umbilical cord after birth is the umbilical
vein, the two umbilical arteries, and a gelatinous substance called Wharton's
jelly, which protects the umbilical vessels.
Sources:
1.
American Pregnancy Association. (n.d.). Umbilical Cord: Function,
Complications & More.
https://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-complications/umbilical-cord/
2.
Mayo Clinic. (2021, January 30). Umbilical Cord: What You Need to Know.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/umbilical-cord/art-20045997
3.
National Institutes of Health. (2021, January 14). Umbilical Cord.
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002395.htm