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Pregnancy

Ludicrous fear of umbilical cords.

26 replies

HPonEverything · 15/07/2011 14:42

First off I know this is going to sound very very stupid.

I have an overwhelming phobia of belly buttons and umbilical cords (even just writing it makes my heartrate go up).

I've heard on the grapevine that there's something you have to 'do' with your baby's umbilical cord after it's born - I assume cleaning it or something - but in any case I'll have to deal with it in some way. I haven't yet found it written down what it is I have to do (a bit of avoidance on my part there).

I want to be prepared for this (or prepare my DH for duties if possible, he's up for anything) so what is it I actually have to do and what is a newborn's [deep breath] umbilical cord actually like?

Tell me the worst as I need to be ready for this.

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MotherPanda · 15/07/2011 14:49

Well, the cord gets a clip popped onto it - and all you have to do is make sure it is kept dry and clean untill it dries up and falls off - this usually takes a week or so i think.

Heres a good picture - of a cord with a clip on just after the birth
inhabitots.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/ClampingCord.jpg

HPonEverything · 15/07/2011 14:53

OMG it dries up and falls off? [feeling ill]

I hope by then I've literally seen EVERYTHING and it won't phase me!

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MotherPanda · 15/07/2011 14:54

www.my-practical-baby-guide.com/Umbilical_Cord.html

This is a good page that explains it for you, and it talks about cleaning. It has a little diagram too.

MotherPanda · 15/07/2011 14:56

sorry - my links dont seem to be working! I'm trying to find you an image of a week old babies 'stump' - lots of scary images of google images! Not surprised you don't want to trawl through there.

I really don't think you will mind - they are much nicer dried up in any case!

Renaissance227 · 15/07/2011 15:15

I've got the same phobia and looking at Google has just made me go faint! Feel very ill now.
Can't believe it looks like that AND drops off! NO IDEA HOW I WILL COPE WITH THAT!!!!

HPonEverything · 15/07/2011 15:39

LOL Renaissance, you're doing better than me I daren't even look the images up. Even the word "stump" has had me running for the hills.

When I get home from work I'm going to lie down on the bed and face it head on, at least if I pass out I won't hurt myself!

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Renaissance227 · 15/07/2011 15:45

Be brave! I can no longer think about it today or I may pass out!

Georgimama · 15/07/2011 15:48

You just have to make sure you keep it clean and if it bleeds make sure the MW is made aware so she can check. DS's stump bled a tiny bit but she said it was fine and it was. His dropped off of its own accord and I found it in his nappy.

addictediam · 15/07/2011 15:55

I have a fear of belly buttons and thought there was no way I could deal with dds. However you turn into a mummy and can deal with anything!

That and I avoided it! I got the mw and then hv to check it and i just tucked it into her nappy. But I promise if I had to take more care because of infection I would have been able to.

Renaissance227 · 15/07/2011 16:05

I'm sure I'll be able to cope when it happens. I just can't talk about it or think about it without going lightheaded!

Also can't cope with the B word that Georgimama mentioned but when I have to face it I'm fine. It's just the word!

HPonEverything · 15/07/2011 18:41

Well I said to give me the worst, so thank you because I feel it can't get much worse than some of the things that have been said on this thread (surely [hopeful emoticon])!

Drying up, falling off, bleeding, stumps, tucking into nappies. Oh god.

I think this is definitely one for DH's list and I'll pretty much do anything and everything else. I know it's pathetic but he's phobic about driving over bridges and I do that for him.

At least it's only a week!

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addictediam · 15/07/2011 20:21

not that i want to worry you but dd's was around for just over 3 weeks. the mw and then hv said it was fine and quite normal.

BagofHolly · 15/07/2011 20:25

All three of my children had theirs for over a month and have been like dried toenails. One got infected and was a bit bloody/pussy but it's ok now. Have you thought of trying to reframe your thoughts about it? That it's actually how you gave them life and nutrients?

Georgimama · 15/07/2011 20:27

Phobic about driving over bridges?

So does he have to pull over if he encounters a random bridge?

RunLyraRun · 15/07/2011 21:54

Oh God. I thought after stump/bleeding/tucking in/falling off it couldn't get any worse. Then Holly said pus and toenail :(.

HPonEverything · 15/07/2011 21:55

^^ indeed

[faints]

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Lilithmoon · 15/07/2011 22:05

HPonEveryth hi there :) I assume you are pregnant. Sweetie, a baby is to come out of your fanjo or tummy. You really will not have any problem with your pfb's belly button. FWIW you just need to put some powder on and the one day (about 5-7) poof lovely belly button. HTH and Gratz

idlevice · 16/07/2011 07:19

Oooh, I have this too. I didn't know anyone else had it too! Maybe there is a special word for it? It was all fine when I had DS tho, but I think whenever possible I must have left most of inspection/cleaning to DP, esp as it was his job to bathe DS as I had done the preggy bit, birth, bf-ing etc I can't even remember it falling off now. I don't suppose a Lotus birth interests you then?

Are you worried about your belly button popping out during pregnancy? I am so thankful mine didn't in first pregnancy & am hoping for the same this time round.

RunLyraRun · 16/07/2011 10:00

Yes, my phobia includes my own belly button. I actually retch if DH touches it by accident. I have a major inny, and at 19 weeks pregnant it has already stretched out to double its usual size . Sorry fellow phobics. I've convinced myself it will continue to flatten and widen and probably almost disappear , but IT WILL NOT POP OUT. I hope it's listening.

Iggly · 16/07/2011 10:40

I have to say I don't even remember what happened to DS's stump. We didn't bathe him for the first few weeks anyway so easy to keep dry! And it dropped off and that was that.

phlossie · 16/07/2011 10:57

You wanted the worst - my DS's cord stump got infected and oozed a bit. I had to swab it with salty water and it smelled disgusting. When it dropped off it was fairly unpleasant, but I was very pleased it had gone from my otherwise lovely, fragrant baby. He now has what we call his power bean in his belly button (granuloma - scar tissue), which he's very proud of.

So, yes, they can go manky so be warned! Seepage is my least favourite word...!

Good luck. Make sure you tell you midwife/HV about your phobia and they'll help you deal with whatever you face.

And I have a deep innie which didn't pop out - it just went flat.

theonlyhb2 · 16/07/2011 12:15

my best friend is just as freaked about belly buttons (her own or anyone else's) it does seem to be a more common fear than I realised!

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Beccabop · 16/07/2011 23:43

Hahaha this thread has really made me laugh

Im a little squeamish and all of this about the belly button hadnt even crossed my mind, totally forgot about that bit!!

Im now wondering how its gonna feel to see a baby come out of my fan with a cord etc

Beccabop · 16/07/2011 23:47

...idlevice - my belly button has popped right out and I thought its very appearance would make me feel ill but its absolutely fine, feels fine to touch aswell, its very much "the norm" now :)

(...and trust me Im squeamish about these sorts of things)

HPonEverything · 25/07/2011 11:45

Yes this fear definitely extends to my own bellybutton. I have quite a deep inny (thank god) and it hasn't popped out yet (again, thank god) but has flattened considerably.

My DH insists it will pop out and that only some go back in again - is this right? I think I'll have to have cosmetic surgery if that's the case!

Weirdly I did have my navel pierced because it meant not being able to see my bellybutton, but my DH had to deal with everything including messing with the jewellry whilst I cringed into a cushion. So this pregnancy is the first time I've had to deal with looking at my own for about 15 years.

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