Problems with the umbilical cord

Many parents worry when they hear that their baby’s umbilical cord is wrapped around its neck but this is actually far more common than most people think. It is estimated that around one third of babies are born with their cord around their neck. The problem arises during pregnancy as a result of the baby moving around.

In most cases where the cord is wrapped around the baby’s neck it can be easily lifted over the baby’s head; this will be done by the midwife or doctor immediately after the baby’s head becomes visible. In more complex cases, where the cord is wrapped more tightly or is wrapped multiple times, it may take longer to unravel the cord and the midwife will usually tell the mother to stop pushing until the cord has been sorted out; sometimes, if the cord cannot be untangled quickly enough, it will be cut; if this is the case, the midwife will encourage you to push so that the baby is born quickly (this is important because they are no longer getting the nutrients from the mother via the cord).

There are usually no long-term effects of being born with the cord around the neck.

Possible complications in childbirth:

• Possible complications in childbirth
• Premature Labour
• Causes of Premature Labour
• What Should I do if I go into Premature Labour?
• What will happen at the hospital if I am giving birth prematurely?
• What happens after my baby is born?

• Where can I find Support for Premature babies?
• Problems with the umbilical cord
• Foetal distress
• Problems with the placenta
• Postpartum haemorrhage
• The Neonatal Unit