Nuchal Cord??? Please tell me your experiences

Petunia844

Hi Ladies,

Sorry.... I know I don't post much but I'm in desperate need of reassurance here. If you don't remember me, my first was stillborn, his death was unexplained.  So we just had our last growth scan today and baby was diagnosed with nuchal cord (cord around his neck 1 time.)  The MFM was a total jerk about it... we had basically no time to really talk about it or ask him questions.  Of course with my history it terrified me... I've been a wreck all day.  I'm still waiting for a call back from my regular OB to talk about it... but I just wanted to hear from anyone who got this diagnosis?  Did your Dr. give you more information?  How long ago was it?  Anything that will calm me down would be amazing.  Thank you!!

dmfan897

I am lurking and I don't know how much reassurance I can provide but both of my girls were born with nuchal cord. DD1 was 2x around the neck and DD1 was once. It is really common..don't qoute me but I think something like 20% of babies are born with nuchal cords. It is rarely a problem. My girls didn't have any decels or anything when I was in labor. I am sorry that you are having to worry..I hope your OB gets back to you and can give you some answers.

LLB430

My daughter had her cord around her neck 2x.  We had no idea until she came out via csection.  I can understand your concern, especially given your loss.  I hope your OB can give you some reassurance. Keep us posted, I will be interested in what they say.

The_Jen626

My DD was born (via c/s after heart decels during labor) with the cord wrapped around her neck "twice, tight" is what the OB wrote in the notes.  She was completely healthy.

I have been getting weekly ultrasounds this time due to low fluid levels, and I have asked several ultrasound techs and nurses, they say it's "very common" for the cord to wrap and unwrap multiple times as the baby moves.

If you are concerned, and given your previous history, I would just mention it to your OB and maybe ask for some more monitoring.

Try not to stress, good luck!

Petunia844

Update: Finally talked to my OB, he's not at all worried... but completely understands why I am.  He said he would not at all consider early induction for it because it's just not a big deal.  He apologized for the MFM being such a jerk and said he will call our regular MFM to make sure he knows what's going on.  He was super nice about it... I started crying on the phone and he assured me several times that it's just not something to be concerned about.   Ugh I don't know how I will get through these next weeks... I wish he wasn't leaving and I wish I hadn't even been told about the cord if it was such a non-issue.  I'm a mess.

IEtoLA

Ugh! This is so not what you need right now. (HUGS) I hope after talking to your doctor you are feeling better about it.  Text, call, whatever if you need me. 

Wally3

DS was born vaginally with the cord twice around his neck - we didn't know until he was out.  He was a premie but had no problems related to the cord.

RoxanneA

BabieBeat:

My first granddaughter was born still due to an umbilical cord accident (uca) so I am somewhat familiar with the problems the umbilical cord can cause. My daughter in law had the hallmarks of a baby in distress and was seen on several occasions by her OB who reassured her all was fine. As they say, hindsight is 20 / 20.

 

Although Roberta Rae passed from torsion of her umbilical cord, I am aware of the concern of nuchal cords among a lot of moms. I would like to share a bit of info on this type of potential problem. Nuchal cords come under the category of the Umbilical Cord. There are 2 types of nuchal cords; A & B. Type A encircles the neck in an unlocked pattern. Type B encircles the neck in a locked pattern and this second type is responsible for 1 in 50 stillbirths according to Dr. Jason Collins, MD of The Pregnancy Institute, in New Roads, LA. Umbilical Cord Accidents (UCA), including nuchal cords, true knots, twists, torsion, kinks and long or short cords account for 30% of the 30,000+ stillbirths in the USA yearly. That is 82 each and every day in our country. They are not a "rare condition or event? and according to research by Dr. Collins and like minded Obstetricians throughout the world, the cord is a definite risk factor contributing to stillbirth and a definite catalyst for stillbirth from 28 weeks onward.

 

Nuchal cords are extremely common and most babies can wriggle their way out of them - and they do! But, that being said, all nuchal cords have the potential to be extremely problematic. I think the most important aspect of any type of any umbilical cord issue is to be aware of its presence. So if baby starts having changes in patterns of movement such as speeding up or slowing down, changes in sleep-wake cycles and differences in mobility tendencies ~ this could be the sign of a compromised baby. Don't ever hesitate to voice your questions and concerns to your healthcare team, and request additional ultrasounds during your pregnancy!!!

 

When you think about it, at one time people had a heart attack and died. That was it - no intervention, it wasn't developed and no one knew the warning signs. Now if you have chest pain and go to the emergency room, the measures taken are incredible. The same is true with a mammogram. Every woman who goes for one knows what the findings may be - but it is better to know why we are going and the importance of the check and deal with the findings - than to be oblivious to the challenge.

 

All parents to be, as well as, medical personnel should be educated to the possibility and undeniable consequences of an UCA. With 30,000 + stillbirths a year in the USA, and at least 30% of these stillbirths definitely being caused by UCA - it is imperative women are given the facts by their doctors. Once knowledgeable, they can decide their course of action, seek ultrasounds and be proactive for their baby before it is too late. In the words of Dr. Collins, "Why is no one talking about this?"

 

Just like mammograms and colonoscopies are prevention for the masses, getting to know your baby's movements is imperative. All moms need to learn how to be their expected baby's "guardian". ?How?, you may ask? Make sure the umbilical cord and placenta are visualized for placement and construction at 20 weeks on the anatomy ultrasound and begin a daily journal of blueprinting baby's moments at this time.

 

Insist on an additional ultrasound around 28 weeks to check the umbilical cord and placenta as I have mentioned above. If there is no problem, begin your kick counts. If there is a problem, work with your health care team for a close monitoring solution such as frequent ultrasounds, checking Estimated Placental Volume (EPV), daily home fetal rate heart monitoring and Fetal Non Stress Tests, etc.

Begin kick counting now every evening and remember a change in baby's movements such as speeding up or slowing down, changes in sleep-wake cycles and differences in mobility tendencies could be the sign of a compromised baby.

 

Your baby may experience ?hiccups? which will first be noticed as soft, regular, rhythmic movements in the same place. As your pregnancy progresses, they will feel stronger and will eventually feel like hiccups except in your abdomen!!! Your baby?s hiccups should decrease as your pregnancy advances. Past 30 weeks your baby should not have hiccups every day. If your baby has daily hiccups, hiccups lasting longer than 15 minutes, or hiccups occurring more than 3 ? 4 times in 24 hours, your baby should be evaluated for umbilical cord issues.

 

Empowering moms to ask the simple questions of her health care team through education, proactivity and vigilance enables her to become her expected baby?s guardian and will help insure a happy, healthy and hearty delivery day for all.

 

Don?t ever hesitate to call and ask your doctor, midwife or health care team about any questions or concerns you may have. They are there to educate and inform you ~ that's their job!!! And always ~ and trust your gut. It is never too late to change health care teams. You are the MOM and only you know your baby best...xo

 

I do have to disagree with what was said at the end. For all three of my pregnancies, my babies had/have hiccups probably once a day until delivery and were just fine as it's normal.  There is no reason for them to start to decrease as they get them from "breathing" in the amniotic fluid and getting spasms in their diaphram like adults.