The Nuchal Cord Scare

When you start talking about birth a lot of people bring up emergencies and fears. Some of these are legitimate concerns, others are perceived concerns (meaning they aren't actually an issue) and some are a mixture of both.

The issue I want to talk about today is a nuchal cord. Better known as the cord around the neck. This is one of those situation where sometimes it can be a problem but most of the time is just a perceived problem.

When it comes to a nuchal cord there are somethings we need to consider:
1) While the baby is in the uterus the only way it receives nutrition and oxygen (air) is through the umbilical cord. While for some of you this may seem like a given it is important to remember this when it comes to birth too.
2) As long as the umbilical cord has blood flow the baby is receiving all the oxygen they need for "breathing".
3) A cord can become compressed to the point that blood flow is restricted regardless of where the cord is or what is is wrapped around. When this happens the baby losses its continual oxygen flow and is in danger of suffocating.
4)Until the placenta has detached from the wall of the uterus there is blood flow to the baby. In normal births this doesn't happen until after the baby has been born.

Now keeping all this in mind when a baby is born and has a nuchal cord it is not immediately concerning because there is STILL blood flow to the baby- as long as there is blood flow there is limited risk of suffocation. This is an extremely important thing to remember because if your baby has a nuchal cord and they don't unwrap it before cutting the cord the baby may not be able to breathe because the cord then has no blood flow (ie no oxygen) and is wrapped around the neck.

While it may seem lifesaving to cut the cord and immediately unwrap it so "lifesaving procedures can begin" that is actually one of the most dangerous thing you can do. It is much better to unwrap the cord slowly and without pulling on it and then after it stops pulsing cut the cord as oppose to cutting it and then unwrapping it.

In most situations the cord around the neck is not dangerous and is actually safer because it is less likely to become compressed if it is around the neck.

While it is always good to ask your care provider if you have a question or concern also remember to do your own research and discover what are true risks and what are merely perceived risks. Also talk to your doctor/midwife about what they would do in a situation like this. If their answers do not match up with evidence based medicine never be afraid to transfer care or ask to have them do it the way you have researched.

This article has some cool pictures of nuchal cords.