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| What can you do with an umbilical cord? | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Singer Rochelle Humes has come up with an unusual way to mark the birth of her second daughter Valentina Raine. | Singer Rochelle Humes has come up with an unusual way to mark the birth of her second daughter Valentina Raine. |
| The Saturdays star revealed on Instagram she has turned her baby's umbilical cord into a piece of art. | The Saturdays star revealed on Instagram she has turned her baby's umbilical cord into a piece of art. |
| She posted a photo of the cord spelling out the word 'Love' which was displayed in a pink frame. | She posted a photo of the cord spelling out the word 'Love' which was displayed in a pink frame. |
| It divided opinion on the social media site with some saying it was "gorgeous" while others described it as "disgusting". | It divided opinion on the social media site with some saying it was "gorgeous" while others described it as "disgusting". |
| With many parents wanting a special reminder of their baby's birth, what else could you do with the umbilical cord? | With many parents wanting a special reminder of their baby's birth, what else could you do with the umbilical cord? |
| Box it | Box it |
| Newborn babies normally leave the hospital with the stump of their umbilical cord still attached. | Newborn babies normally leave the hospital with the stump of their umbilical cord still attached. |
| Between five and 15 days after the baby's birth, it will dry out, turn black and drop off. | Between five and 15 days after the baby's birth, it will dry out, turn black and drop off. |
| Some parents decide to keep the remainder of the cord as a keepsake and store it in a special box or scrapbook. | Some parents decide to keep the remainder of the cord as a keepsake and store it in a special box or scrapbook. |
| One seller on Amazon offers a keepsake box which has spaces designed for a child's umbilical cord, lock of hair and all of their baby teeth. | One seller on Amazon offers a keepsake box which has spaces designed for a child's umbilical cord, lock of hair and all of their baby teeth. |
| Wear it | Wear it |
| If you don't fancy having the umbilical cord on your wall, you could always hang it around your neck. | If you don't fancy having the umbilical cord on your wall, you could always hang it around your neck. |
| Some businesses offer parents the chance to turn their baby's cord into pieces of jewellery. | Some businesses offer parents the chance to turn their baby's cord into pieces of jewellery. |
| Nic Kamminga, who offers the services through her company Tree of Opals, says it is a popular choice for many wanting a memento. | Nic Kamminga, who offers the services through her company Tree of Opals, says it is a popular choice for many wanting a memento. |
| "I think parents want to keep it because it's the last physical bond you have with your baby," she said. | "I think parents want to keep it because it's the last physical bond you have with your baby," she said. |
| "It's something you've shared. For me it's really beautiful. My daughter Ayla will look at the charm I've had made and say 'that's mine'. | "It's something you've shared. For me it's really beautiful. My daughter Ayla will look at the charm I've had made and say 'that's mine'. |
| "In a world with digital photos it's nice to have something physical. When I post on my Facebook, some people think it's gross but others think it's amazing." | "In a world with digital photos it's nice to have something physical. When I post on my Facebook, some people think it's gross but others think it's amazing." |
| Burn it | Burn it |
| A trend emerged in California which saw parents burning the umbilical cord, rather than clamping it. | A trend emerged in California which saw parents burning the umbilical cord, rather than clamping it. |
| Those involved say it helps each family member bond with the new baby by allowing them to be involved in the birthing process. | |
| Typically a burn box is used which catches the hot wax and keeps the candle steady. | Typically a burn box is used which catches the hot wax and keeps the candle steady. |
| While, parents may be able to opt for the choice if they are having a home birth, it is not likely to be a routine offered in many hospitals. | While, parents may be able to opt for the choice if they are having a home birth, it is not likely to be a routine offered in many hospitals. |
| In an article on the Royal College of Midwives website, writer Julie Griffiths says: "There is the dubious action of waving a naked flame near a newborn or, indeed, new mother who presumably is lying in bed, covered by sheets - hopefully flame retardant ones. | In an article on the Royal College of Midwives website, writer Julie Griffiths says: "There is the dubious action of waving a naked flame near a newborn or, indeed, new mother who presumably is lying in bed, covered by sheets - hopefully flame retardant ones. |
| "If all of this was not bad enough, the ultimate irritation must be having a crowd of people gathered immediately after birth, gawping at the infant who has just emerged from the womb and exhausted mother. | "If all of this was not bad enough, the ultimate irritation must be having a crowd of people gathered immediately after birth, gawping at the infant who has just emerged from the womb and exhausted mother. |
| "Surely, the most important bond at that stage of new life is the one with mother, not extended family." | "Surely, the most important bond at that stage of new life is the one with mother, not extended family." |
| Donate it | Donate it |
| Parents can choose to donate their little one's umbilical cord to a blood bank - and potentially save a life. | Parents can choose to donate their little one's umbilical cord to a blood bank - and potentially save a life. |
| Cord blood is rich in stem cells and can be used to treat patients suffering from life threatening diseases. | Cord blood is rich in stem cells and can be used to treat patients suffering from life threatening diseases. |
| These include cancers of the blood, bone marrow failure, sickle cell anaemia, immune deficiencies and metabolic disorders, says the NHS Cord Blood Bank. | These include cancers of the blood, bone marrow failure, sickle cell anaemia, immune deficiencies and metabolic disorders, says the NHS Cord Blood Bank. |
| There are currently six NHS hospitals which have dedicated, trained staff to collect cord blood. | There are currently six NHS hospitals which have dedicated, trained staff to collect cord blood. |
| Once the cord blood has been frozen, it is stored until it is needed by a patient either in the UK or worldwide. | Once the cord blood has been frozen, it is stored until it is needed by a patient either in the UK or worldwide. |
| Melissa Thermidor donated her cord blood in 2016 after the birth of her daughter Maya. | Melissa Thermidor donated her cord blood in 2016 after the birth of her daughter Maya. |
| She says: "It was an amazing feeling to think that as well as bringing new life in to the world I might also be saving another. | She says: "It was an amazing feeling to think that as well as bringing new life in to the world I might also be saving another. |
| "Myself and my husband were very passionate about donating especially because of the need within our communities. | "Myself and my husband were very passionate about donating especially because of the need within our communities. |
| "We were aware there were many people in need of donors from black and Asian backgrounds" | |
| Edward Dobranszky, NHS Cord Blood Bank manager says: "Cord blood, which is collected from blood taken from the placenta and umbilical cord following the birth of a baby, is rich in stem cells. | Edward Dobranszky, NHS Cord Blood Bank manager says: "Cord blood, which is collected from blood taken from the placenta and umbilical cord following the birth of a baby, is rich in stem cells. |
| "Cord blood donors save the lives of thousands of children and adults with blood cancers every year." | "Cord blood donors save the lives of thousands of children and adults with blood cancers every year." |
| Chuck it | Chuck it |
| If the thought of keeping a dried out vein as a happy memory does not appeal, then the other option is simple. Just dispose of it, in an appropriate manner. | If the thought of keeping a dried out vein as a happy memory does not appeal, then the other option is simple. Just dispose of it, in an appropriate manner. |