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While going round Cuba I’m ill. It’s to do with my maternal connection (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

umbilical

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'while going' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are adjectives, I cannot see how they can define each other.

'round cuba i'm ill it's to do with my maternal connection' is the wordplay.
'cuba i'm ill' can be anagrammed to 'UMBILICAL'.
But, I am not clear how this is indicated.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for umbilical that I've seen before include "Of the link between mother and baby?" , "Cord connecting the foetus with the placenta" , "This cord attaches baby to mother" , "This cord joins baby to mother before birth" , "This cord connects foetus to placenta" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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