Umbilical Cord Wrapped

A condition that many people may not be familiar with is an umbilical cord wrapped around a baby’s neck at birth. This condition is actually more common than people think and it even has a medical term to describe it a nuchal chord.

Not surprisingly many mothers will be concerned about this condition because they are afraid oxygen to the baby’s brain could get cut off. Even though this looks like a serious problem it usually is not.

In most cases a baby born with an umbilical cord wrapped around his or her neck will be perfectly normal. There will be no damage to the brain or any part of the body. Parents should not be that worried about this condition.

Why It Isn’t Serious

This condition isn’t that serious because the baby doesn’t need to breathe oxygen while she or he is in the womb. Once the baby is out of the womb, the doctor or midwife present will quickly remove the umbilical cord wrapped around the neck. The baby will not die or suffer any serious injuries from this.

Parents should not worry if they see an umbilical cord wrapped around a baby’s neck in an ultrasound picture. It is not hurting the baby and will probably not create any complications once the little one is born.

Parents with such a baby might consider having a hospital birth for safety. It would probably be a good idea for the parents to ask their doctor if any special measures will need to be taken at birth.

In most cases, an umbilical cord wrapped around the baby’s neck will not impact the birth or hurt the mother. The mother will have nothing to worry about from a nuchal umbilical cord.

Don’t Worry

Some parents will think that they need to something if they see an umbilical cord wrapped around a baby’s neck in an ultrasound. Even though this looks like the baby is being hurt or strangled, nothing is actually wrong.

There is no way a nuchal umbilical cord can actually hurt a baby in the womb. The baby will not be stillborn, or born with birth defects or brain damage because of this. Nor will the mother have to have a caesarean section because of it. Instead the mother should relax and let the baby come normally and naturally.