Umbilical cord prolapse is a complication that occurs before or during childbirth , understood as “prolapse” the fall or descent of an organ or organic structure. In this rare case (it occurs in less than 1% of births), the umbilical cord falls or prolapses through the cervix in front of the baby once labor has started.
When this happens, the cord can become trapped against the baby’s body during the descent into labor, being compressed. If the cord is pressed, a loss of oxygen to the fetus can occur, as we can see in the simulation in this video.
The longer the fetus is poorly oxygenated, the more likely there is permanent brain damage. In the most severe cases, prolapse of the umbilical cord can cause fetal death , so medical personnel must act quickly and this case usually ends in caesarean section.
The specialist can detect umbilical cord prolapse through fetal monitoring (if the heartbeat drops significantly), by touch through a pelvic exam, and even by sight.
Causes and risk factors of cord prolapse
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The most common cause of umbilical cord prolapse is premature rupture of the membranes that contain amniotic fluid.
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Premature delivery of the baby.
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Multiple birth.
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Excess amniotic fluid (polyhydramnios).
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Breech delivery: when the baby goes through the birth canal feet first.
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An abnormally long umbilical cord.
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Low placenta.
In short, umbilical cord prolapse is one of the complications that can occur in childbirth and, although it is rare, it can be serious, since the health of the fetus is compromised. It happens between 0.1% and 0.6% of all births.
Photos | iStockPhoto, Wikipedia Commons
In Babies and more | Complications in childbirth (I), Complications of the umbilical cord in pregnancy
