Can you have a vaginal birth if the umbilical cord is wrapped around the neck once?
Umbilical cord wrapping is a common physiological phenomenon during pregnancy, mainly because the length of the umbilical cord during pregnancy generally ranges from 30cm to 80cm, which far exceeds the length needed for fetal growth and development. Therefore, occurrences like the umbilical cord wrapping around the neck or limbs are quite normal. An umbilical cord around the neck is not an indication for cesarean section, and a vaginal delivery is entirely feasible, even if the cord wraps around the neck once or even twice. However, due to the special circumstance of the umbilical cord being wrapped around the neck, it is crucial to pay attention during the delivery process. First, it is important to monitor the fetal heart rate closely, as umbilical cord wrapping can lead to fetal hypoxia, which would be indicated by changes in the fetal heart rate. Second, preparations for an emergency cesarean section should be in place in case of an abnormal fetal heart rate, at which point a cesarean may be necessary to terminate the pregnancy.