The umbilical has a purpose in the minutes following your baby’s birth. Leaving it intact enhances the health of your baby and assists in the transition to breathing air. In this episode, Mel explains what the cord does in the minutes following birth and what happens to your baby if this transition is interrupted. Mel also covers the special circumstances of collecting cord blood, what if your baby needs resuscitation, keeping the cord intact after a caesarean and cord blood banking. This episode is all about optimal management of the umbilical cord. Other episodes that relate to this episode include: 129 - Giving birth to your placenta 96 - Cord ties vs clamps 113 - CTG use in labour and birth 112 - Is CTG in pregnancy beneficial? The Great Birth Rebellion Podcast is made possible by generous sponsors who believe in helping women get the best out of their pregnancy, birth and postpartum journey.  This episode has been generously sponsored by Poppy Child from @popthatmumma. She is offering great birth rebellion listeners 25% off the Birth box which includes the oxytocin bubble tracks. Use the code Melanie at the check out to claim your discount. Just go to hypnobirthing-positive-birth.com/birthbox  Get my guide to Working through birth without pain medication here with a bonus section for your partner or support people so they know how to support you through labour and birth without pain medication. This episode was generously sponsored by Birthtime, an award-winning documentary that powerfully captures what great maternity care can look like, wherever women choose to give birth. Get 20% off the Birthtime documentary by using the code REBEL at the checkout. Watch Birthtime here. You can watch this episode on YouTube here   Get more from the Great Birth Rebellion Podcast Join the podcast mailing list to access the resource folder from each episode at www.melaniethemidwife.com  Join the rebellion and show your support! Grab your Great Birth Rebellion merchandise now at www.thegreatbirthrebellion.com Follow us on social media @thegreatbirthrebellion and @melaniethemidwife  If this podcast has improved your knowledge or pregnancy, birth or postpartum journey please consider thanking us financially by leaving a tip to support the ongoing work of this podcast.  Disclaimer The information and resources provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute or replace medical or midwifery advice. Instead, all information provided is intended for education, with it’s application intended for discussion between yourself and your care provider and/or workplace if you are a health professional. The Great Birth Rebellion podcast reserves the right to supplement, edit, change, delete any information at any time. Whilst we have tried to maintain accuracy and completeness of information, we do not warrant or guarantee the accuracy or currency of the information. The podcast accepts no liability for any loss, damage or unfavourable outcomes howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content. This podcast is not a replacement for midwifery or medical clinical care. The transcript below was generated with ai and may contain errors.