US Medical Term · maternity
Umbilical Cord
Cordón umbilical
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Umbilical Cord |
| Spanish (Español) | Cordón umbilical |
| Chinese (中文) | 臍帶 |
| Korean (한국어) | 탯줄 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Dây rốn |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Umbilical cord |
| Portuguese (Português) | Cordão umbilical |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | สายสะดือ |
| Japanese (日本語) | 臍帯 |
What it means
The umbilical cord is the lifeline connecting your baby to the placenta during pregnancy, carrying oxygen and nutrients to the baby and removing waste. At birth, the cord is clamped and cut — often the partner is offered the chance to cut it. A small stump remains on the baby's navel and naturally dries up and falls off within 1 to 3 weeks. Keep the stump clean and dry; fold diapers below it until it falls off. Call your baby's doctor if you see redness spreading around the navel, foul smell, or oozing — these may signal infection (omphalitis). Delayed cord clamping (waiting 30–60 seconds before cutting) is now recommended by the AAP.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
How do I care for my baby's umbilical cord stump at home?
¿Cómo cuido el muñón del cordón umbilical de mi bebé en casa?
The area around my baby's umbilical stump looks red and swollen — should I call the doctor?
El área alrededor del muñón umbilical de mi bebé se ve roja e hinchada — ¿debo llamar al médico?
What is delayed cord clamping and should I ask for it at delivery?
¿Qué es el pinzamiento tardío del cordón umbilical y debo pedirlo en el parto?
Where you'll see it
Related ICD-10-CM category
P96 Other conditions originating in the perinatal periodRelated terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026