The umbilical cord entangled fetus: identify the cause to its treatment

The fetus is entangled in the umbilical cord (umbilical cord) or nuchal cord is one of the complications of childbirth that often occurs. This condition should not be underestimated because in some cases, the baby's neck can choke on its own umbilical cord. But in other conditions, the case of a baby entangled in the umbilical cord (umbilical cord) may also not be as dangerous as you imagine so far. To better understand, see the full review below, yes!

What is an umbilical cord entangled fetus?

The umbilical cord (umbilical cord) functions to deliver nutrients and oxygen from mother to baby, so that the fetus can survive in the womb.

That is why, the existence of a healthy and good umbilical cord is an important thing that babies need.

The existence of problems with the umbilical cord, such as the fetus entangled in the umbilical cord during pregnancy can interfere with the nutrition and oxygen the baby receives.

The condition of the fetus being entangled in the umbilical cord can cause the development and growth of the baby to be disrupted.

Not only in the womb, the umbilical cord must always be intact and good when the baby is born later.

This is because during and after the birth process, babies still need the umbilical cord to carry oxygen and nutrients.

It is only about 2 minutes after birth that the umbilical cord can be cut so that the baby then receives oxygen from his own nose.

Even so, one of the complications during childbirth can cause the fetus to become entangled in the umbilical cord of its own body.

Launching from the journal BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, the condition of a baby wrapped in the umbilical cord (umbilical cord) can occur in about 1 in 3 babies born.

Still from the same journal, this case was recorded as much as 12 percent at 24-26 weeks of gestation.

In fact, the percentage can increase to 37 percent at the end of pregnancy.

Not only in the neck, the umbilical cord can also be wrapped around other fetal limbs.

This condition can occur at any time, for example during pregnancy or during labor.

In the womb, the baby is twisted the umbilical cord may not be a problem because the umbilical cord floats in the amniotic fluid.

However, when the baby is about to be born and the umbilical cord is wrapped around the baby, this may be a problem.

The umbilical cord can be wrapped around the baby's neck and compressed when the baby is born.

As a result, babies who are wrapped around the umbilical cord may experience insufficient oxygen and nutrient intake.

What are the symptoms when the fetus is entangled in the umbilical cord?

Actually, the condition of the fetus entangled in the umbilical cord (umbilical cord) is difficult to know by yourself because it will not cause distinctive symptoms.

As a pregnant mother, you also usually won't feel any special symptoms of this one problem.

What you can do is always pay attention to how much the baby moves each day.

So, when you feel that the frequency of the movement of the baby's body in the womb seems to be weakening, you can immediately notice it.

To anticipate the possibility of the fetus being entangled in the umbilical cord, you must routinely have your pregnancy checked by a doctor.

However, you don't need to worry, as long as the umbilical cord is not twisted too tightly, you can still give birth normally in any labor position.

If the umbilical cord is at risk of endangering the baby, the doctor will recommend you to give birth to the baby by caesarean section.

It would be better to choose to give birth in the hospital than to give birth at home if you have complications of this delivery.

The goal is that you can be given immediate help if things happen that are not desired.

It's just that, make sure you have prepared various labor preparations and delivery supplies according to your prior needs.

So, when the signs of childbirth appear, such as ruptured waters, labor contractions, and the opening of the delivery, you can rush to the doctor.

What causes the baby to get tangled in the umbilical cord?

Several causes of umbilical cord entanglement, such as:

1. Not protected by an adequate layer of jelly

The first reason the baby is entangled in the umbilical cord is because the umbilical cord does not have a sufficient protective layer of jelly.

No matter how much movement the fetus does in the womb, it can get entangled in the umbilical cord.

However, healthy umbilical cord is actually protected by a layer of jelly called Wharton jelly or Wharton's jelly.

This jelly serves an important role as a guard so that the umbilical cord does not easily wrap around the baby's body, no matter how active the baby is in the womb.

Not only that, jelly also plays a role in keeping the umbilical cord (umbilical cord) from being easily compressed by blood vessels.

So, when the baby is actively moving, stretching, turning over, or changing positions even once, the umbilical cord remains safe and will not make his body twisted.

Even if the baby's head or body is circled by the umbilical cord, it usually won't actually choke.

Unfortunately, some baby's umbilical cord doesn't have a sufficient amount of Wharton jelly as a protection.

This is what makes the baby more likely to get entangled in the umbilical cord when his body moves in the womb.

2. The umbilical cord is too long

Normally, the length of the fetal umbilical cord is 50 to 60 cm. However, some have longer umbilical cords up to 80 cm.

The umbilical cord that is too long runs the risk of twisting the baby, even more than one loop.

3. Having twins

Another cause of umbilical cord entanglement is that there is more than one umbilical cord due to multiple pregnancies.

Giving birth to twins or more have different umbilical cords. The umbilical cord can become tangled and entangled in the baby.

4. Weak or poor structure of the umbilical cord

A healthy umbilical cord can change size (elastic) so that it does not harm the baby when he is actively moving.

However, if the umbilical cord is weak or poorly structured, the umbilical cord may become less elastic, causing it to wrap around the baby too tightly.

Is the umbilical cord entangled fetus always dangerous?

As mentioned earlier, a fetus that is entangled in the umbilical cord (umbilical cord) of its own body, will not always be bad.

This depends on the condition of the umbilical cord that is wrapped around the baby, for example how many umbilical cords are wrapped around the baby, how strong the umbilical cord is, and so on.

Sometimes, the loop can be so loose that it falls off easily at any time.

In this case, it means that there is no special way to untie the umbilical cord in the fetus or baby in the womb.

Meanwhile, in other cases, the windings can even be very tight.

This condition can automatically be bad because it makes the baby suffocate, it can even weaken the heartbeat.

However, you don't need to worry because generally umbilical cord twists rarely endanger the baby's life.

Most of these problems with the umbilical cord entangled fetus are well managed and rarely cause serious complications.

The most important key is to handle it quickly and precisely when the baby is wrapped in the umbilical cord because it risks endangering his health.

Therefore, it is recommended that you be diligent in checking with your doctor to monitor the condition of you and your baby in the womb.

What complications can arise if the fetus is entangled in the umbilical cord?

Again, complications or bad effects from this condition are actually rare.

If you have seen the baby wrapped in the umbilical cord before delivery with ultrasound, usually the doctor will routinely monitor the baby's condition during the birth process.

The most common complication during childbirth due to umbilical cord entanglement is the decreased heart rate at birth.

This weakening of the baby's heart rate can be caused by a lack of oxygen levels and blood flow that the baby gets because the umbilical cord is twisted during contractions.

By continuing to carry out monitoring or monitoring during the delivery process, doctors and the medical team can quickly detect this condition.

In rare cases, the fetus is entangled in the umbilical cord can also result in weakened movements.

In addition, it can hamper the baby's development and make childbirth difficult.

A report from the journal Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings, reports 1 case of infant death due to umbilical cord entanglement.

These rare cases tend to occur in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy.

If the baby's heart rate continues to drop and could be at risk, doctors and the medical team usually recommend that you give birth by caesarean section.

How to diagnose when a baby is twisted in the umbilical cord?

The condition of the baby wrapped around the umbilical cord cannot be seen with the naked eye.

In fact, those of you who are pregnant also cannot feel the fetus directly wrapped in the umbilical cord.

That is why it is important to regularly undergo prenatal checks in order to detect the possibility of a baby in the womb.

When the doctor performs an ultrasound (USG), usually the umbilical cord loops on the baby's body or head will be seen.

There are two types of ultrasound that you can choose from during pregnancy, namely transvaginal ultrasound and abdominal ultrasound.

Abdominal or abdominal ultrasound is done by applying a special gel to all parts of the stomach.

Next, the doctor uses a tool in the form of a transducer or probe stick that is moved over your stomach.

This tool is useful for observing the entire contents of the stomach and the various organs in it, and then displayed on a monitor.

Similar to abdominal ultrasound, transvaginal ultrasound will also display the results of the examination on a monitor.

However, the transvaginal ultrasound process is done by inserting the transducer into your vagina.

That way, observations on pregnancy as well as female reproductive organs can be done directly.

Unfortunately, transvaginal ultrasound cannot be done at any time like an abdominal ultrasound.

This is because the timing of transvaginal ultrasound examinations during pregnancy can only be done in the early trimester or before 8 weeks of gestation.

If the ultrasound examination finds the fetus twisted in the umbilical cord early in pregnancy, you should not panic.

Not infrequently, this condition can immediately improve and the umbilical cord is released by itself before entering the birth period.

Yes, how to release the umbilical cord in a fetus or baby in the womb by itself.

Even though the baby's coils are still there, the doctor can take certain treatments according to your condition and the baby.

If twists are found during the delivery process, the doctor and medical team will routinely monitor this condition.

So, if later you find a risk of complications, treatment can be done immediately.

Can a baby with a umbilical cord be born normally?

Many people think that a baby who is entangled in the umbilical cord (umbilical cord) can only be born by caesarean section, but not really.

Babies wrapped in the umbilical cord can also be born normally.

How dangerous the fetus is to entanglement in the umbilical cord depends on how many twists it is.

If the umbilical cord (umbilical cord) is only looped around the baby's neck, this may not be a serious problem.

If your initial plans and desires want the baby to be born normally, this can still be done even if the umbilical cord is entangled.

However, the umbilical cord may be slightly compressed when the baby is born.

However, a doctor or midwife can do the way to release the umbilical cord in the fetus or in the womb as soon as the baby's head comes out of the vagina.

In certain conditions, it is possible that you have to give birth to a baby who is entangled in the umbilical cord by caesarean section.

This is usually because doctors judge the baby is difficult to be born through normal or vaginal delivery and can affect the condition of the mother.

Another reason is that the number of twists that are too many and strong can cause serious problems for the baby.

In fact, this can cause the baby's heart rate to weaken and impaired blood flow from mother to baby.

Caesarean section may need to be done so that complications do not occur and the baby can be delivered safely.

In essence, in addition to routine pregnancy examinations to the doctor, you should also discuss any complaints you have with your doctor.

This way, your doctor can help you find the best solution for any problems and complaints you experience during pregnancy.

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