Does the cutting the umbilical cord hurt the mother?

No. It does not hurt. The cord does not have any nerves, so therefore there will be no pain. Also, it is not vital any longer. Once the cord has stopped pulsing, usually after 5-20 minutes after giving birth, the cord can then be cut. Neither the baby nor the mother will feel the cutting. It seems like it would hurt but that is only because the cord itself is very thick and tough. The only way to cut it would be to use a sharp instument. That is what makes it look so painful.