Natural Birth and Baby Care.com

Baby and Placenta Before Labor

My baby is due in two days and is still connected to the placenta. What does that mean will happen?

Answer:

You want your baby to stay connected to the placenta! The placenta is going to give your baby the nutrients and oxygen he or she needs to survive until after birth.

After your baby is born you'll have a third stage of labor. This stage is when the placenta comes away from the wall of your uterus and down the birth canal just after your baby.

Once this occurs, or sometimes before, your baby's cord will be cut. That's when your baby will separate from the placenta. It's best to wait until the cord has stopped pulsing completely - if it's pulsing your baby is still getting his or her blood from the placenta.

After that the cord can be cut (this doesn't hurt your baby) and will be bound off. This is where your baby's belly button will form!