How to deal with one loop of umbilical cord around the neck detected by four-dimensional ultrasound?

Written by Liu Wen Li

Obstetrics

Updated on September 28, 2024

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If the umbilical cord is wrapped around the neck once, there is no need to worry about it, because having the umbilical cord wrapped around the neck once is not as terrifying as it seems. If you want to give birth, it is completely feasible, and for most people with the umbilical cord wrapped around the neck once, if there are no other adverse factors, it generally does not affect the delivery. Moreover, even if you want to do something about it, you are powerless. It's not something that the pregnant woman herself can improve. Besides, there are cases where the umbilical cord is wrapped around two or three times, and they have given birth as well, so there is absolutely no need for anxiety.

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Written by Zhao Su Min

Obstetrics

1min 4sec

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How to correct the umbilical cord wrapped around the neck once?

The umbilical cord is wrapped around the neck once, and there is no way to correct it; it cannot be rectified by changing position or through medication. The umbilical cord being wrapped around the neck once can be due to the umbilical cord being relatively long, or the fetus having a large range of movement within the womb. During pregnancy, as the fetal movements change, it might wrap around twice or even three times, although it's also possible that there will be no wrapping of the umbilical cord around the neck by the end. There is no need to panic if the umbilical cord is wrapped around the neck once. Pay attention to fetal movements and attend regular prenatal check-ups. If there is an increase or decrease in fetal movements, it is important to visit the hospital promptly to have an ultrasound, listen to the fetal heartbeat, and check for any signs of fetal hypoxia. If fetal hypoxia is present, oxygen therapy should be administered, and pregnancy termination may be necessary if required.

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Written by Du Rui Xia

Obstetrics

44sec

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Can I walk for an hour after meals if the umbilical cord is wrapped around the neck?

In cases where there is umbilical cord entanglement around the neck, as long as the baby's fetal heart rate and fetal movement checks are normal, the mother can normally go for a walk after meals. This condition will not affect the fetus. It is important to regularly visit the hospital for fetal heart monitoring and prenatal examinations, pay attention to observing changes in fetal movement inside the womb, and avoid doing overly heavy or intense exercises. If any abnormalities in fetal movement or heart rate are observed, it is necessary to go to the hospital for examination. When needed, oxygen intake and treatments to preserve the pregnancy might be required.

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Written by Du Rui Xia

Obstetrics

30sec

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Why doesn't the ultrasound show the umbilical cord around the neck?

Generally, in cases where there is umbilical cord entanglement around the neck, it can be detected through an ultrasound examination. However, if the ultrasound does not show the umbilical cord wrapped around the neck, it is possible that the cord moved back around as the fetus moved during pregnancy. It might also be that the cord is not fully wrapped around the fetus's neck, but rather draped over the shoulder or neck. This situation could also relate to the fetal position, making it undetectable.

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Written by Zhang Lu

Obstetrics

58sec

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What should I do if the fetal umbilical cord is wrapped around the neck once?

During the prenatal ultrasound, it is sometimes discovered that the umbilical cord is wrapped around the fetus's neck, which concerns many pregnant women who fear it may cause fetal hypoxia in utero or affect natural childbirth. However, this concern is not accurate. Currently, in clinical practice, an umbilical cord around the neck is considered a normal physiological phenomenon. Around 30%-40% of fetuses may have the umbilical cord wrapped around their neck. It is acceptable for the umbilical cord to be wrapped around the neck once or twice, as this neither impacts the fetus's oxygen levels nor affects the mode of childbirth; natural birth can still be considered. Therefore, when the umbilical cord is wrapped around the neck once, no intervention is required. Follow the normal prenatal check-up routine and pay attention to fetal movements in daily life. As long as the fetal movements are normal, it indicates that the fetal condition in the uterus is good.

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Written by Du Rui Xia

Obstetrics

47sec

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The difference between U-shaped and W-shaped nuchal cords.

During pregnancy, through ultrasound examination, if echoes of the umbilical cord are found around the fetus’s neck in U-shaped or W-shaped patterns, this indicates the presence of nuchal cord. The difference between U-shape and W-shape primarily lies in the number of wraps around the neck. A U-shaped notch indicates the umbilical cord is wrapped around the neck once; a W-shape indicates it is wrapped twice. When nuchal cord is present, there is no need to be overly anxious; regular prenatal check-ups can be conducted at the hospital to monitor the development of the nuchal cord and the safety of the fetus inside the uterus.