Umbilical Cord Prolapse: What Are The Risks?
Most pregnancies are carried out without complications. However, during the long gestation process, several problems can occur. One of the risks that can be encountered is the prolapse of the umbilical cord which can cause severe fetal suffering.
In general terms, it can be said that most of the problems that arise in pregnancy can be solved if they are carefully monitored. Antenatal visits are very important during all stages of pregnancy.
Typically, doctors pay close attention to possible umbilical cord prolapse that can occur during pregnancy or during labor. However, this type of complication is more common during labor and, in most cases, does not have serious consequences. It is estimated that at least one out of ten births can result in umbilical cord prolapse.
What are the causes of umbilical cord prolapse?
Although umbilical cord prolapse is more common during childbirth, it is possible that it occurs in the last few weeks of pregnancy. The more the baby moves, the more likely the cord is to compress. In some cases, temporary compression may occur which, in fact, is harmless. Sometimes, the compression can last for a long period of time, but without causing problems.
During its growth, the umbilical cord undergoes the process of compression and stretching many times. This movement or that of the baby does not always cause compression of the cord, but sometimes it can happen. During labor, it is more common for stretching and compression to culminate in prolapse of the umbilical cord.
It is rare for the baby’s activity in the womb to cause compression of the cord. Instead, premature rupture of the membrane tends to be a major cause. Sometimes, it occurs near birth, but if it happens before the 32nd week, the likelihood of compression can go up to 76% of cases.
The umbilical cord can be compressed when it enters the birth canal (the cervix) before the baby. That is why it is more common for this compression to occur more frequently at this time of pregnancy.
What are the risks of umbilical cord prolapse?
The umbilical cord is part of the system that allows the baby to live inside the womb. This organ is responsible for providing the fetus with nutrients and oxygen from the placenta. Therefore, when there is compression for a long time, a decrease in blood flow and even a shortage of oxygen can occur. The other risks can be:
- Alteration of the heart rhythm of the fetus related to the variable deceleration of the heartbeat. This means that the baby’s heart rate drops below 115 bpm for more than 10 minutes. This deceleration is normal if it lasts a few minutes, but not more than 10.
- Changes in the baby’s blood pressure.
- Presence and accumulation of carbon dioxide in the blood, which can lead to a process of respiratory acidosis.
- Risk of brain damage, depending on the duration of the lack of oxygen.
- Other health complications caused by possible episodes of fetal hypoxia during compression.
- Death of the fetus.
The damage to the health of the fetus due to the prolapse of the umbilical cord depends on the duration of this process. Much of the risk is due to lack of oxygen which can even lead to the death of the baby. These possible complications are rare because doctors are able to control the situation.
Diagnosis and treatment
To diagnose the possible understanding of the umbilical cord before delivery, the doctor may perform at least a couple of tests. The condition of the cord can be checked through a fetal doppler or ultrasound. Without these tests, it is impossible to identify the possible signs indicating the presence of compression.
If you are faced with an umbilical cord prolapse, the main treatment is amnioinfusion. It is an introduction into the uterine cavity of a physiological solution. This solution must be at room temperature to relieve the pressure present in the bead. This procedure is applicable only when prolapse occurs during labor.
When we are faced with less compression in other stages of pregnancy, we try to increase the amount of oxygen. The mother is given oxygen to increase the blood flow in the cord. In the presence of more severe cases, careful monitoring of the child’s vital signs is required.
If the child is found to show signs of distress or his heart rate decreases, more drastic measures may be needed. Depending on the stage of pregnancy, a caesarean section may be done to save the baby’s life.
