Everything That You Need to Know About Umbilical Cord Prolapse

The umbilical cord prolapse is when the umbilical cord drops through the cervix ahead of the baby. This is a medical emergency. If not treated immediately, it puts your baby at risk of disability and even death. Even though it is a rare condition and happens in only one in 100 births, it can be fatal if not treated on time.

What is Umbilical Cord Prolapse?

The umbilical cord is vital for your baby. This tubular structure connects your baby to your placenta. The umbilical cord also provides nutrients and oxygen to your unborn fetus. This tube is also responsible to remove waste products. Umbilical cord prolapse occurs when the cord drops into the vagina through the open cervix before the baby drops. When this happens, the cord gets squeezed between your baby’s body and the pelvic bones. This reduces the supply of blood to your baby and this leads to loss of oxygen. Reduced oxygen supply can severely damage the brain and other organs. It can also turn fatal. If this happens, your doctor needs to take out your baby as soon as possible.

Types of Umbilical Cord Prolapse

Depending on the position of the prolapse, there are three types of umbilical cord prolapse:

1. Overt umbilical prolapse: When the umbilical cord slips through your cervix after the membrane ruptures but before the baby enters the birth canal.

2. Funic presentation: A loop of the umbilical cord moves into a position between your baby and the unruptured membrane.

3. Occult cord prolapse: When the cord positions itself beside the baby in the canal. Often the cord is not visible to your doctor.

Causes of Umbilical Cord Prolapse

The most common causes of umbilical cord prolapse include:

• Premature rupture of membrane

• Preterm labour

• Multiple pregnancies with twins, triplets

• Excessive amino fluid

• Breech position

• Low birth weight

• Water breaking before 37 weeks

Symptoms of Umbilical Cord Prolapse

Usually, prolapse happens immediately after the membrane ruptures. The most common sensation during an umbilical cord prolapse is feeling the cord in your vagina soon after your water breaks. If this happens in a hospital, you will be taken care of immediately by your doctor and midwife. However, if you are home then you should immediately rush to the hospital before it gets critical. The sooner you reach the better.

How is Umbilical Cord Prolapse Treated?

If the umbilical cord starts hanging out of your vagina, the delivery should happen immediately. Experts suggest that the delivery should happen within 30 minutes. In most cases, an emergency C-section delivery is the best option. However, if you have progressed far in your labour, then a vaginal delivery may be the faster option. While waiting for the delivery, your doctor may place you in a knee-to-chest position to relieve the pressure on the cord. Your doctor may insert their hand or finger and lift your baby manually to ease pressure on the cord. 

Umbilical cord prolapse cannot be predicted or prevented. It can happen to anyone and if it happens then you should get emergency medical assistance.