The umbilical cord is a vital part of a woman’s body that carries nourishment to her unborn baby. [1] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source After birth, some people choose to preserve their cords for memory’s sake. Usually, you’ll have the option to keep the full cord, just the stump, or both. To keep your cord in good shape, you must store it in a cool, dry place. Rubbing it down with alcohol also sanitizes it and helps with the drying process. Once the cord is dry, you can place it in a keepsake box or even wear it as a piece of jewelry.
Steps
Part 1
Part 1 of 3:
Getting the Cord
-
Talk with your doctor or midwife about preserving the cord. At one of your check-up appointments, bring up the possibility of umbilical cord preservation and storage. Ask your doctor if they’ve had experience saving a cord before and if they have any tips. Make sure to discuss what might happen differently during or after the delivery process.
- Some medical practitioners or hospitals may charge you extra for cord removal and temporary storage. Ask them beforehand, so that you know what to expect. Some insurance companies may also cover these extra charges.
-
Remind your doctors and nurses of your plans on the delivery day. With everything else that will be happening, it may be easy for the medical staff to forget your requests for cord storage. After you’ve been admitted to the hospital, go ahead and kindly remind your doctor that you’d like to keep the cord.Advertisement
-
Watch as the medical staff removes the cord post-delivery. After your baby is born, the doctors will clamp the cord close to your baby’s belly. They will also sever the other side of the cord, if you wish to keep it. This length of cord will then be placed into cold storage or given directly to you. [2] X Research source
-
Preserve the cord with a hospital for medical purposes. Discuss with your doctor the possibility of giving your cord to a medical facility for blood banking. If you donate your cord, your doctor will remove it post-birth as usual. However, the blood within the cord will later be removed by the hospital and stored for patient or research use. [3] X Trustworthy Source American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Professional association of OB/GYNs focused on education and public outreat initiatives Go to source
- When you donate your cord, it means that your blood can be used for anyone’s sake.
-
Wait 7-10 days until your baby’s cord stump falls off. The stump is the part of the cord that is outside of the clamp. This stump will naturally fall off after the rest of the cord creates your baby’s belly button. The cord will be relatively short, only a few inches at most. It may also be hard, dry, and darker in color by the time that it falls off. [4] X Trustworthy Source World Health Organization Health information and news provided by the World Health Organization. Go to source
- You can essentially handle and clean the cord stump the same way that you would the longer cord from birth. The main difference is that the stump may be a bit more brittle and fragile.
Advertisement
Part 2
Part 2 of 3:
Cleaning the Cord
-
Keep the cord in a cool, dry area. The cord itself was your baby’s main lifeline prior to birth. It’s made of flesh and tissue, so it will begin to rot if not stored properly. Keep the cord in room temperature or below. A clean wood, metal, or glass box usually works well for storage. You can also put the cord in a plastic sealed bag. [5] X Research source
- It’s also a good idea to keep the cord or stub far away from animals.
-
Decide on a cord design, if desired. Look at the length and condition of the cord or stub. Consider whether or not you have enough cord to shape it into a letter, word, or symbol. Some people create a heart shape or even spell out the word “LOVE” in cursive with their cord.
-
Clean the cord with a cotton ball. Begin the cleaning process within 1-2 days of bringing the cord home. Set the cord on a towel. Then, dip a cotton ball into rubbing alcohol. You want the ball moist, not dripping. Gently wipe the cord down with the ball. Get a new ball if the one that you are using becomes dry. Repeat this wiping process until the entire cord has been cleaned and sanitized. [6] X Research source
- You can also wear latex gloves while cleaning off the cord, if you are worried about cleanliness or your hands drying out.
-
Position a piece of cardboard in a dry area. On a level surface, set down a clean section of cardboard. This cardboard will actually absorb some of the moisture from the cord and allow it to fully dry. Make sure that this cardboard is in a safe, room temperature place where it will not be disturbed or tipped over. [7] X Research source
-
Place the cord on the cardboard. Hold the cord gently with both hands and set it on top of the cardboard. Move the cord around until it is in a position that you are happy with. Make sure that you are happy with the cord’s final position. The cord will take a few days to fully dry and, after that time, it will be impossible to reshape it without risking cracking. [8] X Research sourceAdvertisement
Part 3
Part 3 of 3:
Keeping Your Cord
-
Mount the cord inside a shadowbox. This is a framed box with the backing set back a few inches. The space in between the glass and the backing makes it possible for you to frame a 3D object, such as your umbilical cord. If you’ve dried your cord into a shape, this is a great way to display it as art. [9] X Research source
- Make sure that the frame backing is non-acidic, so that it won’t eat away at your cord over time.
- You’ll also want to consider securing the cord to the frame backing using two-sided tape or a permanent solution, such as super glue.
-
Place the cord inside a scrapbook or baby book. This is one of the more popular ways to keep your cord. Put the cord into a sealed plastic bag. Then, tape the bag to an interior page of the book. The cord may break a bit due to the pressure of the book, but the bag will keep the pieces together. [10] X Research source
-
Set the cord inside a special box. You can find these boxes online through specialty companies or you can simply choose a small box that appeals to you. A wood box generally works the best to preserve the cord over time. Once you’ve selected your box, simply place the cord inside and close the box securely. Place the box in a safe place.
-
Add the cord to a piece of jewelry. Search online for “umbilical cord jewelry” and you’ll find numerous vendors that offer various keepsake options. You can place a small piece of your baby’s cord stump into a charm. Or, you can add a section of the dried out cord to a length of leather cord to make a necklace. [11] X Research source
-
Place the cord inside a keepsake toy. Seal the cord piece inside a plastic baggie. Tape over the top of the bag. Then, cut open a section of a teddy bear or other stuffed animal. Place the cord bag inside and securely sew the opening back up. Some parents like the idea of the cord always being close to their baby. [12] X Research source
- However, you must be cautious that the cord is securely and safely inside of the stuffed animal. Otherwise, the cord could be a choking hazard for a young child.
Advertisement
Expert Q&A
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
Tips
- If you don’t want to preserve the actual cord, you might want to take a handful of photos of the cord and your baby. Then, you can show these photos to your baby as they grow up. [13] X Research sourceThanks
- You can also bury your cord, as an alternative to preservation. Find a safe place within your yard or within a potted plant. Then, place the stump or cord deep into the soil, so that it is entirely covered and not exposed. You can plant a flower or even a tree on top of the cord. [14] X Research sourceThanks
Advertisement
Warnings
- Wash your hands with soap and warm water before and after handling the cord.Thanks
- Don’t pull or tug on the cord stump. It will fall off naturally on its own. Applying pressure to the cord stump could give your baby a stomach hernia or other health issue. [15] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to sourceThanks
Advertisement
Things You’ll Need
- Umbilical cord
- Storage or keepsake box
- Plastic bag
- Cotton ball
- Towel
- Rubbing alcohol
- Latex gloves
- Cardboard
- Soap
- Water
References
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12345-umbilical-cord-prolapse
- ↑ https://www.modernmom.com/2d42bf8c-051f-11e2-9d62-404062497d7e.html
- ↑ https://www.acog.org/Clinical-Guidance-and-Publications/Committee-Opinions/Committee-on-Genetics/Umbilical-Cord-Blood-Banking
- ↑ https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/70540/WHO_MPS_10.1_Training_file_eng.pdf
- ↑ https://www.modernmom.com/2d42bf8c-051f-11e2-9d62-404062497d7e.html
- ↑ https://www.modernmom.com/2d42bf8c-051f-11e2-9d62-404062497d7e.html
- ↑ https://www.modernmom.com/2d42bf8c-051f-11e2-9d62-404062497d7e.html
- ↑ https://www.modernmom.com/2d42bf8c-051f-11e2-9d62-404062497d7e.html
- ↑ https://www.whattoexpect.com/wom/first-year/umbilical-cord-stump-keepsake-ideas/
- ↑ https://www.whattoexpect.com/wom/first-year/umbilical-cord-stump-keepsake-ideas/
- ↑ https://www.whattoexpect.com/wom/first-year/umbilical-cord-stump-keepsake-ideas/
- ↑ https://www.whattoexpect.com/wom/first-year/umbilical-cord-stump-keepsake-ideas/
- ↑ http://www.marasworld.com/baby-cord-care-cutting-keepsakes/
- ↑ https://www.whattoexpect.com/wom/first-year/umbilical-cord-stump-keepsake-ideas/
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/umbilical-cord/art-20048250?pg=2
About this article
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 15,118 times.
Advertisement
