When the umbilical cord is around the baby’s neck, there can be problems associated with this condition in some instances. To get an understanding of this condition, doctors and nurses rely on the electronic fetal heart monitor to get an assessment of the baby’s well-being. Because the umbilical cord is responsible for blood and oxygen to the baby, a wrapped umbilical cord can create an emergency in some situations.
One of the factors which comes into play when the umbilical cord is around the baby’s neck is how tight the cord is wrapped. The tighter the cord is wrapped the more problems the more issues the baby might face.
NUCHAL CORD: CORD IS AROUND THE BABY’S NECK
The medical condition for when the umbilical cord is around the baby’s neck is called nuchal cord. From a growing standpoint, the umbilical cord grows out of the placenta. The placental is said to be a temporary housing for the baby.
One of the main causes of nuchal cord is the baby’s random movements during pregnancy. According to some literature, nuchal cord can be common during pregnancy. 12% of pregnancies at 24-26 weeks will have a nuchal cord. At full term, 37% of pregnancies will have a nuchal cord condition.
WHY A NUCHAL CORD CAN BE DANGEROUS
One of the things to look out for when nuchal cord is present is whether there is umbilical cord compression. Cord compression is one of the ways a baby can be impacted by HIE, or hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy. This is because when cord compression occurs it can reduce the level of blood and oxygen the baby needs for fetal well-being.
During labor and delivery, the electronic fetal heart monitor providers certain types of readings to doctors and nurses. One type of reading is called variable deceleration patterns. A cause of variable deceleration patterns can be a nuchal cord. As a result, when continual variable decels are present, doctors and nurses must take into consideration that a possible nuchal cord is present, and that mom and baby may need interventions.
Thanks for reading from your friends at HIE Resource Place.