09/08/2024
ππ BIRTH FACT ππ
"Did you know that a normal umbilical cord contains 3 vessels? There are two arteries and one vein...
A lot of people think itβs basically just a βtubeβ of sorts transporting nutrients to their baby. But...itβs so much more intricately designed than that!
The vein carries oxygenated and nutrient-rich blood to your baby, and the arteries carry the deoxygenated blood, waste products (such as carbon dioxide), and nutrient-depleted blood through the placenta and into your bloodstream to dispose of. This is opposite of how blood is transported everywhere else in the body.
After delivery, these vessels close by themselves. The arteries close first due to their muscular walls. The umbilical vein follows closely behind, allowing oxygenated blood to return to your baby from the placenta.
At birth, the placenta contains 1/3 of your babyβs blood volume. By delaying cord clamping for several minutes, you are allowing that blood to be transferred to your baby where it belongs via the umbilical vein.
Our bodies are amazing! β€οΈ"
(βοΈ, πΈ)