Umbilical cord prolapse is a complication that occurs prior to or during delivery of the baby. In a prolapse, the umbilical cord drops (prolapses) through the open cervix into the vagina ahead of the baby. The cord can then become trapped against the baby's body during delivery.
Causes
The most common cause of an umbilical cord prolapse is a premature rupture of the membranes that contain the amniotic fluid. Other causes include:
- Premature delivery of the baby
- Delivering more than one baby per pregnancy (twins, triplets, etc.)
- Excessive amniotic fluid
- Breech delivery (the baby comes through the birth canal feet first)
- An umbilical cord that is longer than usual
Symptoms
Umbilical cord compression can be diagnosed before labor by one of two doctors test; either a fetal Doppler or an ultrasound. Unfortunately, there are no visible signs of umbilical cord compression that can be seen without the help of a doctor.
Treatment
One of the leading treatments of umbilical cord compression is amnioinfusion. Amnioinfusion is a process that involves introducing a saline solution, at room temperature, into the uterus during labor in order to relieve the pressure that can potentially lead to the umbilical cord becoming compressed.
When umbilical cord compression is minor, the method of treatment is to increase the mother’s oxygen, in order to increase the blood flow through the umbilical cord. In more severe cases of umbilical cord compression, there should be constant monitoring of your unborn baby by your healthcare provider to assess if there are signs of distress, in which case emergency action should be taken.
If your baby shows signs of distress or if your baby’s heart rate suddenly shows signs of short drops in the heart rhythm, a C-section may be necessary to ensure your baby’s health.
