When the baby is in the mother’s uterus, it can’t eat or breathe on its own, so it needs some help. The baby has a little tube that goes to its middle called the umbilical cord. The umbilical cord goes to the placenta, which connects to the mother’s uterus.

Here’s how it works. First, the food that the mother eats and air that she breathes get into her bloodstream as very tiny pieces called molecules.

These molecules, or tiny pieces of food and air, travel through the mother’s bloodstream to her placenta. From there, they go to the umbilical cord and into the baby’s body. That’s how the baby eats and breathes inside the uterus.

After a baby is born, the umbilical cord goes away. Guess what’s left? Your belly button.

Disclaimers

• The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition.
• A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.
• Call 911 for all medical emergencies.
• Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

©1997 - A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.