These two lines are placed directly into either the umbilical artery or vein (a much larger vein than a peripheral vein) through the baby’s umbilical cord. Placement of this type of line does not hurt your baby but may require a small amount of tape to be placed on your baby’s abdomen. The tape is there to help secure the line into place. You may notice a small stitch at the base of the line. This stitch secures the line to the umbilical "stump." (The edge of the umbilical cord nearest your baby). Placing this stitch does not hurt your baby, because there are no pain receptors or nerves in the umbilical cord.

Placement of a UAC/UVC has some added benefits. The first is that lab specimens or blood may be drawn back from this line. This means that bloodwork/labwork may be obtained quickly and painlessly for each specimen needed. If a UAC is placed, the doctors and nurses can also constantly monitor your baby’s blood pressure from within his body. This may help provide important information needed to help care for your baby.