Umbilical Cord Care in Newborn Kids and Lambs The umbilical cord serves as a lifeline during pregnancy, connecting the fetus to the placenta. Inside the body, it attaches to the liver, Bladder, and circulatory system, supplying oxygen and nutrients while removing waste. At birth, the cord naturally tears, leaving an umbilical stump that can become a pathway for pathogens if not properly managed, increasing the risk of septicemia (blood poisoning) and omphalitis (inflammation of the umbilical stu