Question About the Umbilical Cord Around My Baby's Neck

Sweeite,

No need to worry!! I was 32 when I had my daughter in labor for 28 hours, my Dr. decided to go snow skiing that day, so he had his associate deliver her. She(Chelsea, now 23), would come into the birth canal and go back up. His associate after 29 wonderful hours of labor calmly comes in and says we are going to do a C-section, we believe the cord is wrapped around the baby's neck- well, she was a 9lb. 10 oz. beautiful baby girl-no complications!!! Then, 2 years later, had a baby boy, Cody(also had him C-section)cord was around his neck.

My advise to you, do not worry about these things your Dr. will take care of you and your baby, stress can do you more harm!!! Pray about, rub your tummy and talk to this gift God has given you and everything will be fine!!!

God Bless!
B. Richey

I never dealt with that but just have to tell you that I would think that delivering early would be a better alternative than wait and see. Have you gotten a second opinion. That may help ease your mind. I delivered at 32wks and it was not a choice as I had complications and my son is perfectly fine. He was in the NICU but that sure beats the scarry alternative. Good Luck!

We had the same concern with our last child. I had the same fears, all I could control was to keep track of the kick counts and keep faith that the rest would be taken care of. Since the doctor knew of the issue it was expected and they were completely prepared when it was time to deliver. Once his head was out, they told me to stop pushing, did what they needed to with the cord and we continued on.

I wish you luck!

I found it very ironic that I have just found this page and the first one I read was yours. I just wanted to let you know somethngs you can do every night to help your concerns. Let me start of by saying I have lost a child from the cord around her neck. She was a stillborn, but I also have three children who were born healthy but had the cord around there neck. I think you should just take it easy and not move or jerk around alot. I was very active with my first one. My doctor always made me drink a cold glass of orange juice and lay on my left side every night. The baby will move becuase of the citrus and the coldness. Rest a sure everything will be alright. Just take it easy the more you stress the more it hurts the baby. I will say a prayer for you and your baby.

My youngest son (now 6) had the exact same problem. In-utero it usually does not cause much problem due to the embryonic fluid. The cord typically floats and does not become taunt. Where most problems arise is during delivery when contractions can cause the cord to become tighter. Since your doctor is aware of the problem and monitoring you I would not worry too much. Just make sure everyone is aware when you are delivering. My son was born fine he just had what looked like a rug-burn on his chin due to the cord rubbing during delivery.

Well my situation was a little different but i have a wonderful healthy 11 year old. we did not know ahead of time, or should i say i did not know, here is the story. when i was preg. with my daughter, my one and only........soon have more...i went in to labor and delivery 11 times during my pregnancy. the day came and after the doctor broke my water i still only dialated to 3 inch. they told me they could go ahead and do a c-section or wait an hour and see if the baby would come. i was having contractions left and right and nothing would happen. i chose to do the c-section, i remember my mother being upset.....first baby and all......after delivery the dr. said some one was watching over me.....umbilical cord was not only wrapped around the neck but it was also only 3 inch long......if i had tried to deliver natural one of us would have hemerged and died. this was also the cause of the other 0 trips to the labor and delivery during my pregnancy.

Just keep an eye on how you are progressing. You are already probably at the point where you will be seing the doc almost once a week now since you're so close to your due date. If you notice any changes call your doctor. Don't be afraid to call. That's what they are there for. My sister was born with the cord around her neck and she turned out just fine, my son also who is now 8 months also was born with the cord around his neck and was 6 weeks preemie but he is doing just fine as well, no upper respitories or anything like that so far, and he didn't even have to stay in the nicu! He went home with me! Just try to focus on staying positive for yourself and your baby. I know it can be hard but try, remember what you feel is what baby feels! IF you have any questions whatsoever be sure to ask your doctor, he or she will be happy to answer your questions.

C.,

I am sorry to hear that you have to be worried about things like that. I had the same problem and it is a horrible feeling and thinking about it. My doctor did sono twice a week as well. But my doctor said that the baby actully plays with the cord and get it over his neck a lot and we never know it. It is just a matter of the baby getting off. They usally do. But the only thing you can do is stay clam as much as you can. The doctor would tell you if he/she is really in danger. I know it is hard. I lost sleep untill the next sono and everything was fine. That is what I had to do. Just pray and stay clam and trust my doctor.

My DD was born with the cord wrapped around her neck and scarred us all to death because she wouldn't cry!! However, that is just her personality, she rarely cries...except when hungry or really tired. She is perfect and is ahead on her milestones. I didn't have an ultrasound after 20 weeks due to being a private pay patient and my doctor not seeing a need for it. My conclusion is it saved me a lot of worry not knowing about it...anyways, you do know about it...so, just keep up your kick counts and go in for your tests...I have to agree with a previous poster that the doctor is probably being over cautious. But share your concerns with your doctor and let him know how much it is stressing you out. Ask him for specifics on when to call him and what the course of action will be if the cord doesn't move. He needs to know how much this is affecting you. I am sending you a great big hug {{{{{hug}}}}}

That would scare me too, but I'm sure it will be fine. Will your doctor do a section if it doesn't change vs risking a vaginal birth?

A huge percentage of babies are born perfectly with a cord around their neck. 2 of mine were and they were a little blue at birth, but were fine and are both bright normal kids. I would not worry... Doctors always take extra precautions now because they are so worried about being sued. Remember that ultimately God is in control and worrying will not change one thing about the situation except to stress the baby and you. Count your movement each day... if the baby doesn't move for 3 hours, give a few pokes or do some jumping jacks to get your heart beat up. It is scary, as the unknown always is, but the best thing you can do right now is relax, trust God and your Dr. and just be aware of your body and your intuitions. BUT NO WORRYING!!

I've read some of the other responses and see that this is quiet common. My first baby also had the cord around her neck, but we did not know it until delivery time. Actually, the fact that your doctor will be watching to make sure everything is okay is a plus. They will watch closely and take necessary steps to move the cord as needed. And it is true, it may not even be an issue when it comes to delivery. And remember, as babies start running out of room because they are growing so much, they don't move quiet as much as before. So just ask your Dr. how to check for movements and what you should watch for. You and this little blessing inside of you are going to be fine.