Why does dad cut the umbilical cord

Cord blood collection occurs after the baby is born and the umbilical cord is cut, meaning the dads can still do their part in welcoming their little ones into the world.

Cutting the cord is not the only job for the fathers of the family. The process begins long before delivery, requiring parents to speak with their doctors about cord blood banking. Once a decision is made, families must request a collection kit be sent from their chosen cord blood bank in the weeks leading up to the due date.

When we discuss the umbilical cord in our BabyNatal classes, most parents are presented with a photo of a cord for the very first time. So talk about it! This will certainly help you reach an agreement and remove the risk of creating misunderstandings or regrets and resentment afterwards. You know what they say about assumptions after all…. What did you do when your baby was born — who cut the cord? How did you feel about it?

Let us know how you feel and what you think about this — we definitely think that this is an expectation worth challenging, so have you and your family challenged it, or would you? Hell, my grandma did it for my single mom. However, I am fascinated by a medical procedure that we allow laypeople to do, so I thought I'd ask dads to describe what cutting the cord is actually like.

My husband had some pretty specific expectations about the birth of our first child. I prevailed in having him by my side, but he insisted on staying at my shoulder and on cutting the umbilical cord. I was good with both. One of my midwives had the forethought to document the event with my cell phone, so we have some pretty incredible pictures. He said it was surprisingly easy. The umbilical cord is the lifeline between mother and baby. It's how baby received nutrients and oxygen-rich blood and got rid of waste and carbon dioxide.

It's connected to the miraculous placenta. Severing that link is a pretty big deal. So, based on what these dads have to say, I think I'll be the one to cut that cord next time. We had waited for what seemed like forever for our little miracle and for me, it wasn't going to really set in until I got to see him and hold him. I was unsure of how to help because I was hung up on the literal 'cutting the cord' and what it felt like, which I compare to an octopus at a Chinese buffet.

But it meant so much more than just cutting that ridiculously tough octopus tentacle.