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| Umbilical Cord Prolapse and Its Dangers for Pregnancy |
Umbilical cord prolapse is a condition in which the baby's umbilical cord drops past the fetus, covers the birth canal, or even exits before the fetus. This condition makes the baby must be born immediately in order to avoid the risk of lack of oxygen.
The umbilical cord or umbilical cord is a tissue shaped like a flexible tube that connects the mother to the fetus. Its function is to carry blood rich in oxygen, nutrients, and waste waste removal.
Normally, the baby is born first, then the umbilical cord comes out followed by the placenta. In rare cases, the umbilical cord prolapses, which means it falls out of its normal position. The umbilical cord can come out of the cervix, then enter the vagina before the baby comes out.
Causes of Umbilical Cord Prolapse
There are several pregnancy complications that can increase the risk of cord prolapse, including:
- Premature rupture of membranes (before 37 weeks of pregnancy)
- Premature labor
- Twin pregnancy or more
- Polyhydramnios (excess amniotic fluid)
- Breech
- Babies with low birth weight (LBW)
- Fetal and umbilical cord abnormalities
Umbilical cord prolapse can be detected through examination, either on physical examination or further confirmed using ultrasound. In general, this condition is characterized by a decreased heart rate in the fetus due to reduced blood flow to the baby.
If the umbilical cord falls and even comes out through your vagina, you may be able to feel it between your legs.
Treatment of umbilical cord prolapse
If you notice the umbilical cord coming out of the vagina, go to the hospital immediately or call an ambulance. In this condition, delivery should be carried out as soon as possible.
While waiting, get into a kneeling position (knees to chest) with your head on the floor and your pelvis lifted up. This position will reduce the pressure on the umbilical cord.
But in a less severe condition, the doctor may monitor the heart rate and fetal movements first. Next, you will be given supplemental oxygen to increase blood flow through the umbilical cord.
If there are signs of an emergency, then the doctor recommends giving birth by caesarean section.
In some women, vaginal delivery may be more appropriate and quicker as a suitable delivery process. However, vaginal delivery should be supervised and managed by an experienced obstetrician.
During labor, the doctor may also perform an amnioinfusion. Amnioinfusion is the process of inserting a saline solution into the uterus during labor to reduce pressure on the umbilical cord.
If not treated quickly, umbilical cord prolapse can result in brain damage from lack of oxygen, including encephalopathy and cerebral palsy, and even infant death.
Unfortunately, cord prolapse is neither preventable nor predictable. This is because the position of the baby and the umbilical cord usually changes during pregnancy.
Umbilical cord prolapse can also occur in women who are not at risk for it.
Therefore, check your pregnancy regularly to the doctor so that your condition can be continuously monitored and treated immediately if problems are found in your pregnancy.
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