You’re here because you want to know what it’s like to cut the cord. 1 questions you might have is what it feels like to cut the umbilical cord. I’ve been through it twice and it’s definitely one of the most rewarding things for a dad to do other then holding your baby of course.
What Is The Umbilical Cord?
The umbilical cord is a flexible cord that contains blood vessels and attaches the baby to the placenta through the babies stomach. It carries nutrients and oxygenated blood to the baby from the placenta. In turn it also carries waste products and deoxygenated blood from the baby to the placenta. After cutting the umbilical cord the nub gradually dries up becoming hard and stiff, kind of like a scab. It’ll fall off in about a week or two.
What You Are Doing?
In cutting the cord it detaches baby from mom. The baby will no longer be attached to the placenta, which is still in the uterus. The placenta will be delivered soon after the baby is born.
Do You Have To Cut The Umbilical Cord?
No, it’s not necessary. Some parents choose not to cut the umbilical cord. Leaving the umbilical cord attached to the placenta and their baby to allow it to fall off naturally. From what I have read doing so can become cumbersome. Also, some parents don’t feel comfortable with carrying the placenta around with their baby. Note: If you plan to do cord blood banking then it will need to be cut.
Do You Request To Do It?
I always made sure the nurses or the doctor knew i wanted to cut the cord. In all honesty there isn’t a whole lot for us husbands to do in the room. We are the support and we help with breathing, but truthfully the baby is coming either way. Know that there will be times where you might not be able to get the chance to cut the cord. If there is an emergency or C-section, due to contamination, you won’t be able to. Don’t worry though at that point you’ll be more happy that your wife and baby are ok.
Why Do They Clamp It?
The umbilical cord is clamped in two spots to stop the blood flowing from the fetus to the placenta. After, you are able to cut the umbilical cord in between the two clamps. From my research if the cord is not cut it will naturally seal off after about an hour after birth. There are two types of clamping “immediate clamping” and “delayed clamping”. Immediate clamping is used especially if the baby is high risk or premature to be evaluated directly after birth. With delayed clamping the doctor will wait 1-3 minutes to clamp the umbilical cord. Doing so allows more blood to transfer from the placenta to the baby. With everything in life there are pros and cons with whatever you choose. Your best bet would be for you and your wife to talk with your doctor about what is best for both the baby and the mother.
Why Do Dads Do It?
It’s a modern thing for fathers to cut the cord. The goal is for the fathers to feel more involved in the delivery. There is talk that it is a meaningless custom JUST to allow men to feel involved and that’s it. I call BS. To me it is totally meaningful. Saying that a father cutting the umbilical cord is meaningless is like saying that anyone can do skin to skin with the baby. That’s true anyone could take a shirt off, hold the baby to their skin and it’s considered bonding with the baby. There is somethings different when mom or dad does it. It means more because they’re doing something that helps them bond and feel more attached to the baby. Just like me cutting the cord it instantly made me feel more attached to this baby I just meet.
Why You Should Do It?
You should do it as a way to welcome your son or daughter into the world. It’s also a sign to yourself as something of a “welcome to fatherhood”. Other then taking care of your wife when she was pregnant, it will be the first thing you get to do to care for your child. You will remember and cherish this forever.
Why Has The Tradition Continued?
I think the tradition has continued because men are now expected to be in the room and have an active roll in helping the mom. You will be helping with breathing, getting ice and water for her, dealing with nurses, rubbing her back or feet. Whatever she needs, you are there to help. Years ago, it was uncommon for husbands to be in the birthing room and more common for them to be in the waiting room with the rest of the family. Not only are husbands expected to be in the room, we are expected to have a much more active roll.
What Does It Feel Like?
I cut both of my son and daughters umbilical cord and it feels like a combination of cutting a hard rubber like hose with the texture of calamari. My suggestion is, if you decide to cut the umbilical cord, cut more firmly and with more pressure then you’d expect to, it’s much tougher then you would think.
Can You Mess It Up?
From my research yes you can, but it’s highly unlikely in a hospital setting as long as you cut it in the right place. If you cut the umbilical cord on the wrong side of the clamp, or before the natural sealing off of the cord, then the baby could exsanguinate aka bleed out. Like I said though, highly unlikely. I wouldn’t worry about that, as the highly trained doctor and nurses are there watching closely. Just remember cut between the clamps or directly were the doctor tells you to cut and you will be good to go.
Does It Hurt/Can They Feel It?
The cord contains no nerve endings. With no nerve endings, there is no way of feeling it. So like clipping your finger nails, or getting a haircut. The baby and mother wont feel anything.
So that’s all the questions I think that I had before I cut the umbilical cord. If you have other questions or want to share your own story please let me know in the comments. By no mean am I an expert. I’m just a dad whose been through it and have read everything I could to know more and wanted to share my experience and knowledge with you. Thank you for taking the time to read this and hope you found it helpful. As always, if you liked this post please share it with people you think would also find it useful.
