Nuchal Cord: Is it something to be worried about?

If you are pregnant, you may have seen something called ' Nuchal Cord ' on your scan report. Or you may have heard about it from a friend or relative. It is very normal for a mother to feel a little scared and nervous upon hearing these words. "Will my baby be in trouble? Will he have difficulty breathing?" Many questions come to mind. But what exactly is this Nuchal Cord? Is this something we should be afraid of? Let's talk about this clearly and simply.

What exactly is the Nuchal Cord?

Simply put, a nuchal cord is your baby's umbilical cord wrapping around his or her neck one or more times.

You know, this umbilical cord is the lifeline that carries oxygen and all the nutrients your baby needs to grow and develop, and it also removes waste from your baby's body. It's just a flexible tube. It has two arteries and a vein inside it. To protect these blood vessels, it's surrounded by a special jelly-like substance called `Wharton's jelly.'

So this umbilical cord is the cord that wraps around the baby's neck. This wrapping can sometimes be very loose, and other times it can be a little tight. These are divided into two main types:

• Type A (Unlocked Cord): This is like a simple necklace around the neck. The umbilical cord moves freely, so it is very likely to come undone when the baby moves.
• Type B (Locked Cord): This is a type of cord that is wrapped tightly like a knot. Therefore, it is very unlikely that this type will untie itself. However, this `Type B` type is very rare.

Why is the umbilical cord wrapped around the neck like this?

The main reason for this is the little movements your baby makes inside the womb. Imagine him moving around, kicking, and waving his arms. It is with these movements that the umbilical cord often gets tangled around the neck. This is a very natural thing.

In addition, there may be several other reasons :

• Increased amniotic fluid: If the amount of fluid around the baby is slightly higher than normal, it has more room to move around and swim. There is also more room for the umbilical cord to become entangled.
• Umbilical cord elongation: Some babies' umbilical cords may be slightly longer than normal. Even then, the chances of entanglement are higher.

Is having a Nuchal Cord really risky?

The answer to this question is, in most cases, no . Nuchal cord is much more common than we think. Research shows that one in four babies born (more than 25%) have this condition.

The incidence of this condition increases as the pregnancy progresses. For example, at 20 weeks, about 6% of babies have it, but by 42 weeks, that number rises to 29%. It is also slightly more common in boys than girls.

However, it's good to be aware of some of the rare complications that can occur. But remember, most of these are very rare.

Sometimes, if the umbilical cord is wrapped tightly around the neck, a condition called `tCAN (tight cord around neck) syndrome` can occur. It is like a strangulation of the neck. Then you may see small red blood spots `(petechiae)` on the baby's face, neck, and eyes. But this is also very rare.

How is this diagnosed? What is the treatment?

Identification

The presence of a nuchal cord can sometimes be seen during an ultrasound scan during your pregnancy. However, it is often not detected until the baby is born. Doctors and midwives often check for a nuchal cord during childbirth. It is part of the normal procedure.

Treatment and management

The doctors are just monitoring you and the baby closely.

• Before delivery: If a scan shows a nuchal cord, your doctor may advise you to pay more attention to the baby's heartbeat and movements.
• During childbirth:
• Most of the time, the umbilical cord is very loose . When the doctor takes the baby out, he carefully pulls it over the baby's head and removes it. This is a very simple thing.
• If the umbilical cord is a little too tightly wrapped, you may need to clamp it before you can fully remove the baby. This is done to stop the cord from pulling and pulling away from the placenta. This is also a very safe method.
• If the umbilical cord is causing your baby's heart rate to slow down , your doctor may ask you to change positions. This can help relieve pressure on the umbilical cord. They may also give you extra fluids or oxygen.
• However, if the condition does not improve, painkillers or a cesarean section may be considered. All of these decisions are made to ensure the maximum safety of both mother and baby.

So, should I be afraid of this?

The short answer is, most likely not . Nuchal cord is much more common than you might think. And you should understand that it rarely causes any long-term harm or complications for the baby.

Babies born with a nuchal cord do not usually have lower Apgar scores, growth or development problems, or an increased risk of stillbirth. Medical teams are well-trained to manage this condition.

However, if you, as a mother, have any questions, fears, or doubts about this, don't keep them to yourself. Talk to your doctor about it openly. What you hear on the internet or from strangers can only confuse you further. Therefore, the best place to get the most accurate and reliable information is your doctor.