Worried about the cord during labor

kaustin

Hi Ladies,

So I think this is an irrational fear but I feel like I have heard a ton of labor stories where they talk about the cord being wrapped around the neck, knots in the cord, etc.  It makes me really nervous.  Does this really happen that often and is it usually ok?  TIA. 

MrsPatterson

I don't know the answers to your questions, but I just wanted to let you know I am also worried about this. ?It's almost enough to make me hope that I have a c-section (but not quite).

dmsmth

I have the same fear.  Thus I had googled.  And from I remember google saying is that the cord is often wrapped around a body part and most of the time everything is fine.  I would re-google it for you but I have made a vow (as of about a week ago...) to myself for the rest of my pregnancy that I will not google any type of complications

elysialabita

I'm in the same boat as you.  I freak out over these things daily.  I also agree with PP that these fears almost make me wish for a C-section... almost.  Sometimes I think I'd be relieved if they told me I needed one...

luckyangel

The cord was wrapped around my neck 3 times and I turned out just fine. I wouldnt worry about it. ?I have heard the same story from alot of people all of whom turned out fine or all of whom had perfectly healthy babys after having that problem. ?My best friend just had her baby in Jan and right after the baby came out, the cord ruptured and blood went all over the room-there was a weak part in the cord wall that could have gone at any time during the pregnancy. ?Things that can go wrong PRE-labor are scariest to me...but That's just me. ?There is enough to stress about during pregnancy-let that one up to the docs.

MrsGhappilyeverafter

I worry about that too.  It's such a freak accident and is so scary.  I don't have any advice on how to not worry about it though

Maybe part of the reason it seems like a more of a real possibility to us is because we're on a board with women who have had all kinds of losses so everything seems like it could happen.

mrshutch

Don't worry! I know that's so hard when you have a fear, but keep in mind how closely everything is monitored. If for some reason it seemed that the baby was in distress or something was off, the doctors and nurses would address it immediately. The nurses are monitoring all of the heart rates, etc. from their station so they are on top of things

kaustin

Thanks so much ladies, I thought I was alone in this fear.  I too also do not want a c-section but sometimes wish for one because of this reason.  I really appreciate the responses.

xnbride

It is actually more common than they let on, but rarely does it ever cause fetal death.  Ethan had the cord wrapped around his neck and everything turned out just fine.  After our experiences I am a fan of being monitored during delivery because they can watch the baby's heartrate and see how it handles contractions etc.  Typically if their is a cord around the baby's neck the heartrate will decelerate during a contraction.  That is what was happening with Ethan and the nurse was freaking me out and telling me to prepare for a c-section. However, he came so quick that I was able to deliver him vaginally.

On the flip side, my friend's daughter had the cord around her neck and due to OB error, her daughter lost some oxygen and consequently has a very minor form of CP.  So it is important to find a doctor that you trust and who will take those extra precautions.

hmd

DS was born with the cord around his neck.  It is scary to think what could have happened, but he is perfectly fine.  I ended up delivering him a couple weeks early because of it though.  I took a test where you click when you feel the baby move, and there wasn't much movement.  The Dr. did an ultrasound, and he saw the cord around DS's neck.  He signed me up for the next possible induction, which was the next evening at midnight.  DS was a huge baby (8 lbs, 1 oz), and I am tiny, so I originally thought I might end up with a c-section anyway. 

Also, the Dr. did not tell me the cord was around his neck until after DS was delivered--he didn't want me to worry.  But DH saw it when it came out. 

jeffrae

I am worried....but I think it is because I am on the loss boards where this has happened to girls here.

Vandy05

I dont know the answer to your questions, but just wnated to say you are not alone. I worry about this constantly. DH thinks I am being overly worried but it makes me nerovus. Try and think positive, that is why they look for decels in babys HR during contractions so hopefully the medical team knows how to be on top of it.