Cord Around Baby's Neck in Womb

Those of you who have read the book 'Breaking Dawn' have probably read the part where Bella had great difficulty while giving birth to her child as there was the cord around baby's neck in womb and it was strangling her. You, as an expecting mother, must obviously be scared that the same thing might happen to your child, or maybe the doctors have already informed you that there is a cord around infant's neck in womb. Don't worry. Several similar situations have been reported and many infants have been born healthy even after undergoing such a situation. Read further down to find out why it happens and what to do if it happens.

Importance of Umbilical Cord

The umbilical cord can be compared to the oxygen cord of the deep sea divers. The oxygen cord is vital and suppose it twists or gets knotted, that will result in less or no oxygen supply for the diver. This situation can be life-threatening. The same happens to the baby floating in the amniotic fluid whose life line is the umbilical cord.

Although, the chances of this occurring are few. Researchers have pointed out that around 25% of the babies are born with cord around their neck, and it's not even that tight that the doctors cannot remove it or that it will not slip off easily. The cord is usually 55 centimeters in length and it's not that closely set that the baby will get entangled in it. Your baby can move freely without any danger. But sometimes, in the rarest of the rarer cases, it might happen that the cord might entangle around the baby's neck. If your baby is very active inside the womb, then there are chances. Also, if you are having twins, then too the chances of cord around child's neck in womb, are there, specially if they are sharing the same sack.

What are the Dangers?

It's not necessary that the cord will be entangled around the neck of the baby only. Sometimes, it might be wrapped over the shoulder or the arm of the fetus. But, its wrapping around the neck is the cause of concern. Usually, the cords are loosely wrapped, hence it's easier to take it off. But sometimes, when it's difficult to do that, the cord is clamped and cut before the birth of the baby. This is done so that the baby does not suffocate. In these cases, doctors have to deliver the baby without further delay.

If the cord around the baby's neck in womb is tightly wrapped, then the oxygen supply to the baby's brain becomes less, i.e., the baby suffers from hypoxia. This might lead to decelerations in the fetal heart. Before the baby faces any such kind of problems, it's best that the childbirth takes place immediately.

If the cord has been there for a very long time, then they might have low APGAR score. APGAR is a test conducted on the baby after birth and it has 5 criteria, i.e., Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration. The higher the score, the better is the child's health.

The cord around baby's neck may even result in brain injury which in turn could result in cerebral palsy or mental retardation. Or if the compression is severe and the labor pain has not yet started, then it may result in the death of the baby in womb.

Precautionary Steps

Doctors are always there to help you out when these situations arise. They know how to deliver the baby who has the cord's wrapped around your baby's neck. There have also been cases where women have given birth to healthy babies. There are certain misconceptions though, that by lifting up your arms or legs, during pregnancy, the cord gets entangled. But it's nothing like that. Just take care that you visit the doctor regularly and follow all the instructions and advice that he gives you.

Thus, this occurrence is nothing unusual, and if proper actions are taken and at the right time, then your baby will be absolutely safe. All the best for your baby!