The fetus is wrapped in the umbilical cord, can it still give birth normally?

Counting the days before birth is an exciting moment, but always eagerly awaited by all pregnant women. Unfortunately, sometimes there are problems that babies experience while in the womb. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth reports that about 1 in 3 fetuses are entangled in the umbilical cord. This of course will make you worry and wonder, is there still a chance to be able to give birth normally with the fetus wrapped in the umbilical cord like this?

The danger or not if the fetus is entangled in the umbilical cord?

The umbilical cord is a tube whose job is to deliver blood, oxygen, and nutrients needed by the baby. In other words, the umbilical cord can be regarded as the source of life for the baby so that it can survive while in the womb.

Coiling caused by the umbilical cord often occurs in the neck of the fetus, although the hands, feet, and other limbs can also be targets of umbilical cord loops. No need to worry, because actually the umbilical cord in the womb is not too dangerous.

The amniotic fluid that surrounds the baby's body will continue to move, giving looseness to the umbilical cord that is wrapped around the baby. On the other hand, the umbilical cord is normally covered by a soft protective membrane called Wharton's jelly. The goal is to prevent the umbilical cord from twisting the baby's body too tightly, which is feared to endanger the baby's blood vessels while actively moving.

But in other cases, if the pressure exerted by the umbilical cord when it is wrapped around the fetus's body is too tight, it will certainly be dangerous for the health of the fetus. Because automatically, the intake of nutrients, blood, and oxygen that the baby should receive is disrupted, so that it hinders their growth and development in the womb.

Is it possible to give birth normally in this condition?

Most pregnant women think that the condition of the fetus entangled in the umbilical cord, inevitably has to be delivered by caesarean section. Even your hopes of a normal delivery may be dashed. In fact, not always.

Quoting from the Health detik page, dr. Andriana Kumala Dewi, SpOG, a Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Bethsaida Hospital, Tangerang, said that when a fetus is entangled in the umbilical cord, birth does not always have to be done by caesarean section.

According to him, the protective membrane that covers the umbilical cord is like jelly, so it will make the rope slippery and can be removed. So it is still possible for the baby to be born with a normal process. With a note, this can be done if there is only one coil in the fetus's body, so that it is easily released during labor.

Meanwhile, if there is more than one coil, the handling will be different. This condition usually does not allow the baby to be born normally, so the doctor will advise you to have a cesarean section to prevent complications during birth.

The reason is, the twists are too strong and many babies experience the risk of weakening the heartbeat and obstructing blood flow. That is why, doctors will recommend that mothers do an ultrasound before delivery to see how far the baby is developing. This also determines the appropriate method of delivery according to the condition of the mother and baby.

In fact, the fetus entangled in the umbilical cord can be resolved immediately

You don't need to worry, because basically the umbilical cord loop does not endanger the baby's health as long as it can be handled properly. Serious complications are rare when the fetus is entangled in the umbilical cord.

Therefore, it is important to regularly check and control with an obstetrician to monitor the condition of the baby and your body, especially nearing the day of birth. That way, problems that arise at the end of pregnancy can be resolved as quickly as possible.