Cord Dangers?

Hi, I am a first time mommy - we are expecting a little girl in October - and lately I find myself worrying about all kinds of things. For some reason, I am really overwhelmed worrying about the baby's cord getting wrapped around her neck. I think its because she moves around all the time. Not just kicking, but I can actually feel her rolling around now that she is big enough.

I was just curious if any of you knew much about this subject. I know that a baby can get the cord around their neck, but is it only a danger if it occurs during birth? Maybe a stupid question, but I would greatly appreciate any encouragement you may be able to offer.

Take care,

Momma Green

you shouldnt worry about it. it's actually VERY common for the cord to get wrapped around the neck. most of the time its no big deal. i'd only worry if the baby stops moving.

Not trying to totally scare you, but I went through a phase when I really worried about this, too. There was actually a girl on this message board awhile back whose baby died in the womb at 40 weeks (she was like a couple days past her due date) from the cord getting wrapped around the neck. I'm not really sure if that could have been prevented or not, or if they could have at least found it in time to save her baby. It's really sad (and really scary to dwell upon!), but that's why it's super important that if you feel ANY decrease in baby movement, to contact your doctor ASAP.

I worry about it too. My little girl is due in 5 weeks and she still flip flops like a fish. My first did that too, and he did have the cord wrapped around his neck - many times. The doctor cut the cord from around his neck as soon as he was able to see it. (when my son's head was delivered, but the rest of him was still inside) My son was blue and not breathing well. He was born in a military hospital though, and my mom (an RN) says that no civilian doctor would have let me deliver vaginally or let me go 11 days overdue with a 9 lb baby. He was in distress the whole time I was in labor and they even had me stop pushing at one point because every push caused the cord to get tighter and his oxygen level dropped. But as long as he recovered, the doctors let me continue. His original APGAR was really low but he improved drastically over the next hour. Now he is 4 years old, happy, healthy, and so smart it scares me.

Also from what little I've read, it can cause fetal distress while the baby is developing and cut off their oxygen supply. But my comfort during this pregnancy is - if I feel her flip flopping around, she must be alive (and healthy). So I figure as long as your little one is still practicing her gymnastics in utero - don't worry.

Probably not the encouragement you were looking for, but I was hoping my *almost* worst case scenario would give you hope...

I worry CONSTANTLY about that. My baby is too little now, but I feel the little flutters and I am so worried that when the baby gets big enough, something like this will happen. It is so scary.

Like the other poster said, just continue to monitor the movement and note abrupt decreases in activity and go straight to the ER if movement stops. Not much else we can do. Hope this helps - but we are all in the same boat.

yup this is another thing i worry alot about.....i always ask my sonographer to check if cord isnt around him or whatnot......she told me that her son had the cord wrapped around his neck 3 times very very tight.....and when she delivered him he was blue......she also said its really common and it usually happens but takes alot.....hmm??? who knows.....its scary to think about though

to be blunt, you have to get over it and learn to deal with it....as a mother you will worry for the rest of your life, til the day you die. Your worires will change but you will ALWAYS worry.

With that being said, it is completely normal to have these worries, and cord accidents unfortunately do happen. However, they are not common. Like 1 in 1000 births I think is the statistic that I found. The odds of something happening are slim.

I suggest doing your best to focus on the joys of pregnancy and feeling that little one inside of you,knowing you are doing everything you can to deliver hhim/her safe and healthy. Take things one day at a time, one moment at a time.