Final answer:
Midwives are trained professionals equipped with a sterile kit to cut the umbilical cord, which occurs immediately after birth to facilitate the newborn's first breaths. The procedure involves clamping and then cutting the cord, to ensure a safe and infection-free transition for the baby to start breathing on its own.
Step-by-step explanation:
Midwives follow a specific and sanitary procedure when cutting the umbilical cord of a newborn. After the birth of the baby, the umbilical cord is clamped with two clamps, and a cut is then made between these clamps. This is an important part of the childbirth process and is carried out immediately after the child is born.
Midwives are trained and equipped with a kit that contains sanitary tools, such as scissors, and medicine necessary for the process. Contrary to some misconceptions, they do not pack dirt into the umbilical cord when cutting it. They are also trained to regularly replenish the medicine and sanitary supplies within their kit to ensure safety and prevent infection.
The cutting of the umbilical cord is crucial because it is at this point that the baby can no longer remove carbon dioxide through the cord and placenta. This build-up of carbon dioxide in the baby's blood triggers the baby to take its first breaths, which are crucial for the baby's transition to breathing air. After the cord is cut, the baby's lungs take over the role of the placenta in exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Ultimately, the practice of cutting the umbilical cord ensures the infant can independently sustain life outside the mother's womb. This involves careful and hygienic practices to prevent infections and complications for both the mother and the baby.