15/11/2025
Umbilical Cord Entanglement in Newborns👶
When a baby's umbilical cord wraps around their neck or body, it's called a nuchal cord or body cord entanglement. This occurs in some pregnancies and is usually harmless but can sometimes cause complications.
Causes
đź“ŚExcessive fetal movement
đź“Ś Long umbilical cord
đź“ŚExcess amniotic fluid (polyhydramnios)
đź“ŚMultiple pregnancies (twins or more)
đź“Ś Abnormal fetal position (breech)
đź“Ś Previous history of cord entanglement
Signs
❗️Before Birth: Decreased fetal movement, abnormal fetal heart rate patterns, or detection during routine ultrasound
❗️During Labour: Variable decelerations in fetal heart rate, prolonged second stage of labour, or visible cord entanglement during delivery
❗️Fetal Distress Signs: Fetal tachycardia, bradycardia, or late decelerations
Types of Nuchal Cord:
♻️Type A: Loosely wrapped, can be easily unwrapped
♻️Type B: Tightly wrapped, locked in position (more concerning)
♻️ Single loop, double loop, or multiple loops around the neck or body
Management
đź“ŚBefore Labour: Monitoring with ultrasounds and non-stress tests if cord entanglement is suspected
đź“ŚDuring Labour: Continuous fetal monitoring, gentle unwrapping of loose cords, possible assisted delivery or emergency C-section if signs of fetal distress
đź“ŚDelivery Considerations: Skilled birth attendants and preparedness for potential complications.
After Birth
👶Baby Assessment: Breathing difficulty, low Apgar scores, or signs of hypoxia
👶Post-Delivery Care: Close monitoring, oxygen therapy if needed, and paediatrician evaluation
Complications
❗️Fetal hypoxia (oxygen deprivation)
❗️Fetal distress or stillbirth (rare)
❗️Neonatal resuscitation
❗️Potential long-term effects (rare) such as neurodevelopmental delays, cerebral palsy, learning disabilities and other developmental challenges
Prevention
🔼Regular prenatal check-ups
đź”˝Monitoring fetal movement and well-being
🔼Timely intervention if complications arise
Most babies with nuchal or body cord entanglement are born healthy and require no special treatment. With proper monitoring and medical care, complications can be minimized.
Gloriousnurse 🤍
