[sweets]

I went to the doctor today for a regular prenatal visit. I am 25 weeks today. We reviewed my recent test results....no gestational diabetes, blood pressure is normal, weight gain is normal.

The results of the 20 week ultrasound were good in terms of anatomy, but they want me to come back for another u/s around 30-32 weeks because the technician/analyst noted there was a nuchal cord (the cord seemed to be around the baby's neck).

I spoke to the doctor and nurse about as I was obviously very concerned. They told me it is nothing to worry about now and they are going to monitor it and that they are very diligent with keeping an eye on things like this.

I looked it up on the computer and the information there seems to say that this problem can clear up on its own or else it may stay up until/through delivery but that it does not necessarily mean my baby's life is at risk right now (or then if all goes well). I am very worried, still.

Does anyone have any experience with this? I was only 20 weeks when we did the first u/s so I am hoping the problem has gone away because baby has moved around.....

Thanks,

Kyiie

[nat1970]

It was never mentioned that the cord was wrapped around Leah's neck during ultrasounds. I did alot of stress tests towards the end to monitor Leah's HR and it was always good. During delivery my contractions were pretty much non existent with the pitocin and I wasn't dilating and stuck at 5. My OB called for a c-section because it was almost 24 hrs and when she took Leah out the cord was wrapped around her neck and butt. So I think they can just work themselves into this situation. They will monitor you for distress towards the end and it will help if you do kick counts to make sure the baby is moving.

[Alison79]

Most of my babies were born with a nuchal cord - it is very common. My last baby had a true knot in her cord and she was born perfectly healthy. I know it is hard not to worry but it is typically nothing that causes an issue.

[sweets]

Thanks, Ladies.

Alison, I have been reading about it and it seems that a vaginal delivery is still possible even if there is a nuchal cord. If the ultrasound at 30-32 weeks shows the cord is still around his/her neck, will they just schedule me for a c-section? My husband doesn't see how they could want me to deliver vaginally if they know there is a nuchal cord.

My dd's cord was wrapped around her neck at 20 weeks, we had frequent u/s, and NST, and always had to do kick counts. If I ever didnt feel her I was brought in asap. It was very very scarry to know that but in the end she was frank breech and had wrapped the cord 2 1/2 x around her neck. She is a perfect little 3 yr old Dr's keep close eyes on you when they know it, and Im sure you'll have lots of NST and even more u/s just in case.

[sweets]

Thanks, Shannon. That is encouraging. I was thinking that I am kind of glad that it did show around baby's neck at the ultrasound because now they will be monitoring the situation. If the cord had been not around the neck then I would not be receiving any more ultrasounds....yet it could have gone around a day or so later and we would have never known.

Did you get a c-section with your daughter? if so, was it because of the cord or the fact that she was breech?

C-section because of both. Usually if they are breech they will try a version (turning them) and it usually works, but they wont try a version if the cord is wrapped. So....I have no idea how it works with a vag birth with a wrapped cord. I suppose it's possible but not sure if they would want a vag birth with a wrapped cord since it can take a while to be born, and the pushing could pull on the cord. I would ask your ob next visit though. C-sections arent that bad honetly. I was scared but its nothing you cant overcome. Just a little extra healing time...but not much. It good that they caught it at 20 weeks because now if you ever worry about lack of movement you will be seen right away usually. I was probably in the office at least once a week for NST, and u/s every 2 weeks sometimes more, because I was always worrying about lack of movement. Im sure everything will be just fine

[sweets]

Thanks I am going back to the doc in three weeks then every two weeks after that as I'll be 28 weeks then. I will also get my 3d ultrasound at 29 weeks and the doctor's order u/s at 30-32 weeks so I'll be able to see how things are going. I'll keep you posted.

[Wifenmomalwys]

As scary as it is, it is common. I am glad they will be monitoring the baby. When my DD was born, they had me stop pushing b/c the cord was wrapped around her neck, but everything turned out fine.

[SarahBethsMommy]

It is awesome that they have seen this and know it and now can monitor you more closely. The bad outcomes of nuchal cords are most often from not knowing it was there at all. My mother was a nurse in L&D for years and she said they could remove the cord from some children's necks before delivery (or rather, I guess, it was during delivery). Sometimes (I think that was more common) they'd have to have c-sections if it was a known nuchal cord because it's hard to tell the length of the cord when it is wrapped.

Definitely do lots of kick counts and don't question yourself about going into the doctor or hospital if ever you have a question. I hope your baby just unwraps itself just as easily as it was wrapped and it ceases to be such a worry!!

[sweets]

Thanks Sarahbeth'smommy. I will definitely do kick counts when it is time. I had heard that that should start around 28 weeks. When I asked the doc the other day (a resident who examined me), he said more like 30 weeks. I am 25 weeks now but I think that it is too early for me at this point. I am feeling movement throughout the day, but I don't think regular/strong enough to do the kick counts.

[SarahBethsMommy]

Yeah, but you can recognize your baby's patterns (though they can change a bit too, so don't let that get you too worried). Like, for instance, my baby is up at about 7:30 a.m., kicks like mad around 9 and 1 and then around 7-9 at night I feel a lot of constant movement. Doesn't mean I'm really doing kick counts, but I know the baby's routine which makes me feel safer, know what I mean? I think that as soon as I start feeling regular, strong, true KICKS I'll do the counts, whenever that is.

[Arei_720]

My daughter had her cord wrapped around her neck twice at birth. As everyone else has said, it's common but it's still scary!

[tatedivine]

My eldest daughter had the cord around her neck at delivery. They only knew because if I rolled onto either side her heart rate would slow so I had to deliver on my back but still had a normal vaginal delivery. The only thing was that she needed little oxygen at first as she was very blue. She is now a very healthy 7 year old

[moon~maiden]

it really is very common for cords to be wrapped around baby's neck and it is not an automatic emergency- and def NOT cause for automatic c-section! The current issue of "Midwifery Today" magazine actually has an article called "Nuchal cords are necklaces, not nooses"

"Nuchal Cords Are Necklaces, Not Nooses, by Judy Slome Cohain
Using research based on more than 180,000 births, Judy Slome Cohain investigates the medical myth surrounding nuchal cords and argues that practitioners should stop testing prenatally for cords wrapped around babies' necks and, instead, treat nuchal cords as common, normal and safe occurrences."

unfortunately that article is not online yet because it is current- but here is a link.

Midwifery Today: Issue 93 - Homebirth

my daughter's cord was around her neck and my midwife just quietly and gently unwrapped it, I never even knew until they told me much later.

I know it seems worrysome but try not to get too "wrapped up" on that detail, especially this early. Things can change, and as said, it doesn't automatically mean your baby is in danger.

[moon~maiden]

I just realized we have this article posted in the NCB subforum, although it's pretty short- Is the Cord Around the Baby's Neck Really Dangerous? - Associated Content - associatedcontent.com


I also found this- Cord Around the Baby's Neck | mothering