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Care of the Umbilical Cord

  • Chapter
Book cover Postnatal Care

Part of the book series: Midwifery Practice ((MIPRA))

  • 21 Accesses

Abstract

While performing a vital role for survival of the fetus, after delivery the umbilical cord stump is a redundant feature of the term newborn. It does, however, receive attention and activity by maternity staff and concern by parents. As it is the only open area of the baby’s body, potentially problems can develop. In most societies there are routines for the care of the cord to facilitate drying and separation, and to prevent bacterial colonisation and infection, or cross-infection to others. Care of the cord is not a new concept and procedures for tying and wrapping it, followed by abdominal binding, have been meticulously described (Barrett 1851). Similarly, applications of chemicals to the cord are neither recent innovations nor simply responses to twentieth century medicine alone (Brown 1932).

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Authors
  1. Janet Rush RN BScN MHSc
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Editor information

Jo Alexander Valerie Levy Sarah Roch

Copyright information

© 1990 Janet Rush

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Cite this chapter

Rush, J. (1990). Care of the Umbilical Cord. In: Alexander, J., Levy, V., Roch, S. (eds) Postnatal Care. Midwifery Practice. Palgrave, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-21082-4_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-21082-4_5

  • Publisher Name: Palgrave, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-333-51371-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-349-21082-4

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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