Prolapsed cord
Ok - my computer lived and then somehow i wasn’t able to blog here for a few days due to a ‘permissions’ issue of some sort… Luckily all is well and we’re back on track now!
I know I’ve mentioned I’d blog a little about prolapsed cords a while ago in our cesarean discussions, so I thought now would be a good time.
A prolapsed cord has two main types:
- Presentation of cord - when the membranes are still intact, but the cord is between the baby’s presenting part (usually the head) and the cervix. With every contraction pressure is being put on the cord and baby.
- Prolapse of cord - when the cord actually comes out of the cervix, ahead of baby, after membranes have ruptured. This puts pressure on the cord with every contraction also
How do you suspect a prolapsed cord? Obviously, if you see it, that’s an obvious sign. However sometimes it can be quite high in the vagina and you may not see or feel it. Fetal distress, especially the slowing of fetal heart tones during contractions, can be a good indication.
So whats a mom to do? If you’re not already, get to a hospital. 10 minutes is the maximum time a baby can survive cord compression - but the length of time also varies by the degree of compression.
If birth isn’t imminent, a cesarean will be done immediately.
Talk to your care provider, but in most cases mom should get into hands and knees position (even en route to the hospital if this happens at home). If the cord is outside of the vagina, someone should insert their (clean) hand into moms vagina and hold the baby’s head off the cord, if possible. The cord would be wrapped loosely in warm and moist washclothes or handtowels - avoid excess handling and letting it get cold.
A great way to avoid having a prolapsed cord is to avoid early artificial rupture of the membranes before baby is well engaged in the pelvis. As the membranes are ruptured and the water escapes, the cord may also slip ahead of the baby’s head.