Babies entangled in the umbilical cord are often a pregnancy problem that pregnant women continue to worry about. When this happens, one of the symptoms is a feeling in the stomach that feels like it is twitching continuously.
Many of us may wonder whether a baby in this condition can go through a natural birth process. How does umbilical cord entanglement actually influence the choice of delivery method?
What is a baby entangled in the umbilical cord?
Mother, let's discuss the umbilical cord, which has an important role in providing nutrition and oxygen to the fetus from your body. These two elements are very crucial to support your little one's development.
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However, when the umbilical cord is wrapped around the fetus, this can become a serious problem. Why? Because the twist in the umbilical cord can disrupt the flow of nutrients and oxygen to the fetus, inhibiting its growth and development.
Not only the neck, the umbilical cord can also be wrapped around other parts of the body. This incident can occur at various times, either during pregnancy or during labor.
When the baby is entangled in the umbilical cord while in the womb, mothers don't need to worry too much. The reason is, the umbilical cord is in the amniotic fluid, so there is still adequate space for movement. However, you still need to be careful about this condition because it could potentially compromise the safety of the fetus.
Causes of babies getting entangled in the umbilical cord
As pregnancy progresses, Mother, it turns out that the risk of the baby getting entangled in the umbilical cord also increases. Interestingly, mothers may not feel any symptoms, so it is difficult to know whether your little one was entangled in the umbilical cord or not while still in the womb.
Several factors that can increase the risk of a baby getting entangled in the umbilical cord, as quoted by the American Baby and Child Law Center, include:
1. Excessive amniotic fluid
A greater amount of amniotic fluid than usual can increase the risk of the umbilical cord becoming wrapped around the fetus.
2. Pregnant with twins
If you are pregnant with twins, the chances of the baby getting entangled in the umbilical cord may be higher.
3. Long Umbilical Cord
The length of the umbilical cord can also increase the likelihood of this event occurring.
4. Weak Umbilical Cord Structure
Some babies may have an umbilical cord with a less robust structure, increasing the risk of entanglement.
5. Premature rupture of membranes (PROM)
If your water breaks prematurely, the risk of your baby getting entangled in the umbilical cord can also increase.
According to information from Healthline, it is important to note that there is no sure way to prevent a baby from getting entangled in the umbilical cord. And what's even more interesting, this condition is never caused by the actions or decisions of the pregnant woman.
Signs and symptoms of a baby entangled in the umbilical cord
Mother, detecting the umbilical cord coil in the fetus is not easy to do yourself. Generally, doctors can only find out about this condition through ultrasound (ultrasound) when mothers carry out pregnancy checks.
However, there are several signs and symptoms that you may be able to pay attention to yourself, such as:
1. Reduced fetal activity
If you feel the fetus is moving less than usual, especially when there should be at least five movements every 30 minutes, this could be a sign that the fetus may be entangled in the umbilical cord.
In this case, the mother's sensitivity to changes in fetal movement patterns is very important. If you feel any striking changes, immediately consult a doctor for further evaluation.
2. Intense fetal activity
On the other hand, sometimes the fetus can respond by moving more intensely for a period of time to release the umbilical cord.
If you notice that the fetus is moving very actively during a certain period, while previously its movements were more regular, this could be a sign of changes that need to be paid attention to. Mothers are advised to note these changes and consult a doctor.
During the birth process, a decrease in the fetal heart rate that is too low can be a sign of a entanglement in the umbilical cord.
Monitoring the fetal heart rate during labor is essential, and if the doctor notes a significant decrease, additional steps need to be taken.
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Can a baby wrapped in the umbilical cord be born normally?
Mothers, there is often concern that babies wrapped around the umbilical cord can only be born via caesarean section. However, in reality, there is still a possibility of giving birth normally even with this condition.
The decision to give birth naturally or via caesarean section will depend on a number of factors, including how much and how tightly the umbilical cord is coiled. If there is only one twist in the baby's neck, it is likely that this condition is not too serious.
However, the baby can still be born through the birth canal, although the umbilical cord may be slightly compressed during contractions. In this case, the doctor or midwife can immediately remove the coils after the baby's head comes out.
But, in some situations, a cesarean section may be the best option, especially if vaginal delivery is considered high risk. For example, if there is a lot of umbilical cord entanglement or the entanglement is very strong, this could potentially have a bad impact on the baby.
Each case is unique, and the medical team involved will consider factors such as the number of coils, strength of the coils, and the health of both mother and baby. Hope it is useful!
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