The umbilical cord is an extraordinary, living link between a parent and baby, often regarded as the baby’s lifeline during pregnancy. It’s an essential part of the beautiful and intricate process of pregnancy, and in the homebirth community, it carries both practical and symbolic significance. From scientific wonders to ancient folklore, the umbilical cord holds a special place in the journey of birth.
The Science Behind the Umbilical Cord
The umbilical cord forms by the fifth week of pregnancy, and as it grows, it becomes the baby’s primary connection to life inside the womb. Here’s what makes it amazing:
1. Anatomy of the Cord
The cord consists of three main vessels: one vein and two arteries. The vein carries oxygen-rich, nutrient-dense blood from the placenta to the baby, while the two arteries work to remove waste and deoxygenated blood. These vessels are wrapped in a protective substance called Wharton’s jelly, which cushions and shields the cord from compression or twisting. This protective feature ensures that the flow of oxygen and nutrients continues without disruption, even during labor’s movements.
2. The Role of Delayed Cord Clamping
Research continues to shed light on the benefits of delaying cord clamping after birth. By waiting just 1-3 minutes before clamping and cutting the cord, a significant amount of blood can transfer to the baby, which is rich in iron and essential for long-term health. A study published in The Lancet (2015) confirmed that delayed cord clamping can lead to increased iron stores for the baby, supporting cognitive development and reducing the risk of anemia during the first year of life. This practice, often embraced in homebirths, provides the baby with a head start on health outside the womb.
3. Stem Cells and Lifelong Potential
The blood within the umbilical cord is teeming with stem cells—powerful cells capable of developing into various types of tissues in the body. Many families now choose to collect and store these stem cells at birth for their potential use in treating diseases later in life. Although this practice is more common in hospital births, the natural birth community recognizes the immense potential stored in this simple yet mighty cord.
Folklore and Symbolism of the Umbilical Cord
Beyond its scientific function, the umbilical cord has been revered across cultures for centuries. For many homebirth families who cherish natural and spiritual connections, the umbilical cord takes on a deeper, symbolic role.
1. A Symbol of Life and Strength
In many ancient cultures, the umbilical cord was seen as a symbol of life’s interconnectedness. In Indigenous communities, it was believed that the cord connected the baby to both the physical world and the spirit world. Some traditions encourage families to bury the umbilical cord beneath a tree as a way of returning the child’s life force to the earth, symbolizing the baby’s connection to nature. Birthing the Spirit (2013) explores the spiritual dimensions of this practice, including how various Indigenous cultures across North America revere the cord as a sacred link.
2. Lotus Birth and Sacred Beginnings
Lotus Birth, where the umbilical cord is left attached to the placenta until it naturally dries and falls off, has gained popularity among homebirth families. This practice is rooted in ancient traditions from cultures such as the Balinese, who believed that leaving the cord intact promoted a gentle transition for the baby from womb to world. The placenta, which sustained the baby throughout pregnancy, is seen as the baby’s “twin” or “guardian,” and keeping the cord attached is a way to honor this sacred relationship. While there is limited research on the medical benefits of Lotus Birth, families often describe a more peaceful postpartum period with this practice.
3. Protection in Indigenous Traditions: Lizard and Turtle Pouches
In many Plains Indian cultures, after a child’s birth, the umbilical cord was dried and saved as a link between the child’s life in the womb and after birth. The cord was sewn into a pouch, often in the shape of a turtle for a girl or a lizard for a boy. This navel amulet became the baby’s first toy and remained with the child as a charm to protect them and ensure a long life.
In my family, my children’s umbilical cords are sewn into beaded lizard pouches filled with buffalo fur to honor their Indigenous heritage. The lizard, a symbol of protection and resilience, guards the child from harm and misfortune, emphasizing the belief that the cord continues to protect the child even after birth. This tradition is passed down through generations, with the pouch symbolizing the child’s deep connection to their ancestors and the natural world.
By taking the form of a turtle, the navel amulet was imbued with protective power. In many Plains Indian creation legends, when the world was still covered in water, the first human life entered, supported on the back of a turtle, when the first dry-land mass was created. Because of its important role in the creation of the world, the turtle is closely associated with “mother earth” and was thought to provide protection during birth and infancy. These soft carriers, decorated with symbols of turtles or the four corners of the earth, were used by some Central Plains tribes and wrapped around the baby to provide security and a deep connection to their origins (RISD Museum, 2023).
The Cord-Cutting Ceremony in Homebirth
One of the most anticipated moments in a homebirth is when the parent or a loved one is invited to cut the umbilical cord. This sacred ceremony can be a beautiful way to involve partners, siblings, or other family members in the birthing process. Many homebirth families choose to incorporate a small ritual or blessing before cutting the cord, symbolizing the baby’s transition from one life stage to the next.
In my practice, I typically don’t cut the cord for at least an hour and a half after birth. I do this to honor the mysteries of the cord and allow all pulsing to stop completely, all the way up to the umbilicus. This extended time acknowledges the deep significance of the connection between parent, baby, and placenta, giving space for every bit of nourishment to pass through before the physical bond is severed. Waiting also allows the baby to make a slow, grounded transition into life outside the womb.
1. Burning the Cord: A Gentle Alternative
In some homebirth traditions, families choose to burn the umbilical cord instead of cutting it. Cord burning is a slow, symbolic process where the cord is gently separated by the flame of a candle. This method honors the sacred connection between parent and baby while providing a peaceful, non-invasive way to sever the cord. It’s believed that the gentle heat cauterizes the cord, reducing the chance of infection and honoring the baby’s transition in a peaceful, meaningful way. Families often gather around the baby during the burning, offering blessings, prayers, or simply being present in the moment.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) also embraces the practice of cord burning. In TCM, the element of fire is believed to bring warmth and strength to the newborn’s body, supporting their vitality and life force. Burning the cord is seen as a way to release energy and guide the baby’s qi (life energy) into its new phase of life. Robin Lim, a well-known midwife and advocate of gentle birthing practices, has spoken extensively on the benefits of cord burning, noting that it promotes a smooth transition for the baby and aligns with ancient wisdom of honoring the birthing process with care and reverence.
Umbilical Cord Keepsakes and Creative Traditions
For many families, the umbilical cord is something to treasure. Creative and symbolic ways of preserving the cord are becoming more common in homebirth circles:
- Cord Keepsake Art: Some parents choose to dry the cord in a heart or spiral shape and frame it as a beautiful keepsake of the baby’s birth. This can be a fun, sentimental way to honor the physical connection between parent and child.
- Burying the Cord: Returning the cord to the earth is a way for families to close the birth circle, symbolically linking the child to nature. This can be done with a special tree or plant to mark the baby’s arrival, as is common in some Indigenous cultures.
- Placenta Prints and Capsules: While more focused on the placenta itself, many families who encapsulate the placenta also choose to include a piece of the umbilical cord, either in its natural state or as part of a creative print of the placenta.
As you prepare for your homebirth, take time to appreciate the remarkable role the umbilical cord plays in your baby’s journey into the world. Whether through its scientific wonders or its symbolic meaning, the cord’s role in bringing new life is one to be cherished. Honoring the cord through practices such as delayed cutting, burning, or keepsakes is a beautiful way to acknowledge the magic and mystery surrounding birth.
Your midwife,
Patricia
References
- “Birthing the Spirit: Cultural and Spiritual Practices in Birth and Parenting,” 2013.
- The Lancet, “Effect of Delayed Cord Clamping on Neonatal Iron Stores,” 2015.
- “Native Pathways to Understanding: Spiritual and Cultural Birth Traditions in Indigenous Communities,” 2016.
- Robin Lim, Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering, discussions on the benefits of cord burning.
- RISD Museum, Umbilical Amulet, https://risdmuseum.org/art-design/collection/umbilical-amulet-43111.
- “Traditional Chinese Medicine: Fire Element in Birth Practices,” Journal of Chinese Medicine, 2018
Love & Root Homebirth Midwifery and Apothecary 