Umbilical cord compression

Umbilical cord compression is a medical condition that occurs when the umbilical cord becomes compressed, usually due to the cord becoming wrapped around the baby's neck or body, or due to the cord being pinched between the baby's body and the mother's pelvic bones. This can lead to a decrease in blood flow to the baby, which can cause a variety of health problems.

Causes

Umbilical cord compression can be caused by a number of factors. These include:

• Nuchal cord: This is when the umbilical cord becomes wrapped around the baby's neck. This can occur during pregnancy or during labor and delivery.
• Cord prolapse: This is when the umbilical cord drops (prolapses) into the vagina ahead of the baby during labor. This can cause the cord to become compressed as the baby moves down into the birth canal.
• Oligohydramnios: This is a condition in which there is not enough amniotic fluid surrounding the baby in the womb. This can cause the umbilical cord to become compressed.

Symptoms

The main symptom of umbilical cord compression is a decrease in the baby's heart rate during labor and delivery. This can be detected by a fetal heart rate monitor. Other symptoms can include:

• Changes in the baby's movement patterns
• Decreased fetal activity
• Abnormal results on a nonstress test or biophysical profile

Treatment

Treatment for umbilical cord compression depends on the severity of the compression and the stage of pregnancy. Treatment options can include:

• Emergency cesarean section: If the baby's heart rate drops significantly and does not recover, an emergency cesarean section may be necessary.
• Amnioinfusion: This is a procedure in which a saline solution is injected into the uterus to increase the amount of amniotic fluid. This can help to relieve pressure on the umbilical cord.
• Cordocentesis: This is a procedure in which a sample of the baby's blood is taken from the umbilical cord to check for signs of distress or infection.

See also

• Birth asphyxia
• Fetal distress
• Intrauterine growth restriction

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