Comments on: Umbilical cord around baby’s neck rarely causes complications http://vbacfacts.com/2009/09/16/umbilical-cord-around-babys-neck-rarely-causes-complications/ Vaginal birth after cesarean? Don't freak, know the facts. Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:40:36 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Mary http://vbacfacts.com/2009/09/16/umbilical-cord-around-babys-neck-rarely-causes-complications/comment-page-1/#comment-7516 Mary Mon, 07 Jun 2010 16:06:40 +0000 http://vbacfacts.com/2009/09/16/umbilical-cord-around-babys-neck-cannot-strangle/#comment-7516 Rachel, The same thing just happened to my best friend's baby boy. Ultrasound that morning showed all was well; but when it came time to deliver later that day, he was stillborn. Cord was wrapped around his neck and shoulder. Rachel,

The same thing just happened to my best friend’s baby boy. Ultrasound that morning showed all was well; but when it came time to deliver later that day, he was stillborn. Cord was wrapped around his neck and shoulder.

]]> By: Micha http://vbacfacts.com/2009/09/16/umbilical-cord-around-babys-neck-rarely-causes-complications/comment-page-1/#comment-7374 Micha Tue, 25 May 2010 05:35:55 +0000 http://vbacfacts.com/2009/09/16/umbilical-cord-around-babys-neck-cannot-strangle/#comment-7374 Claudia, I agree 100%. Not only do you cut off the oxygen forcing the baby to have a harsh transition to breathing, but the baby is also deprived of blood. When you cut the cord right away, you are leaving so much blood in the cord and placenta that it is the equivalent of losing 1/3 of your blood. There is something called a lotus birth where you never cut the cord, you clean the placenta and let it & the cord dry naturally as you would the end of the cord after it was cut. Studies have shown that even after a few days, the baby still flinches when the cord is cut and the baby is separated from the placenta. Cutting the cord too soon is cruel, people "bank cord blood" because it is so rich in things that fight cancer and disease. Why not just let the baby have the blood? Allowing the baby to have oxygen through the cord and through the lungs allow a nice transition into the world rather than being forced to gasp for air for the first time because they have no other source of oxygen. As soon as the baby is born, the best thing to do is to breast feed right away, this allows the uterus to contract and release the placenta gently. Claudia, I agree 100%. Not only do you cut off the oxygen forcing the baby to have a harsh transition to breathing, but the baby is also deprived of blood. When you cut the cord right away, you are leaving so much blood in the cord and placenta that it is the equivalent of losing 1/3 of your blood. There is something called a lotus birth where you never cut the cord, you clean the placenta and let it & the cord dry naturally as you would the end of the cord after it was cut. Studies have shown that even after a few days, the baby still flinches when the cord is cut and the baby is separated from the placenta. Cutting the cord too soon is cruel, people “bank cord blood” because it is so rich in things that fight cancer and disease. Why not just let the baby have the blood? Allowing the baby to have oxygen through the cord and through the lungs allow a nice transition into the world rather than being forced to gasp for air for the first time because they have no other source of oxygen. As soon as the baby is born, the best thing to do is to breast feed right away, this allows the uterus to contract and release the placenta gently.

]]> By: Claudia http://vbacfacts.com/2009/09/16/umbilical-cord-around-babys-neck-rarely-causes-complications/comment-page-1/#comment-7296 Claudia Thu, 20 May 2010 19:19:24 +0000 http://vbacfacts.com/2009/09/16/umbilical-cord-around-babys-neck-cannot-strangle/#comment-7296 I am confused, we know the oxygen is transported to the baby from the cord. If the cord is wrapped then the oxygen coming through the cord may be decreased, therefore the baby is blue. Why don't the doctors just unwind the cord and encourage the baby to breathe on it's own then when the cord stops throbbing clamp it? The doctors always seem to cut the cord immediately before the baby is actually breathing anf therefor cutting off the entire oxygen supply. To me that seems to be the fastest way to get the oxygen into the blood as the baby needs. Anyone else of this mindset? I am confused, we know the oxygen is transported to the baby from the cord. If the cord is wrapped then the oxygen coming through the cord may be decreased, therefore the baby is blue. Why don’t the doctors just unwind the cord and encourage the baby to breathe on it’s own then when the cord stops throbbing clamp it? The doctors always seem to cut the cord immediately before the baby is actually breathing anf therefor cutting off the entire oxygen supply. To me that seems to be the fastest way to get the oxygen into the blood as the baby needs. Anyone else of this mindset?

]]> By: Leslie http://vbacfacts.com/2009/09/16/umbilical-cord-around-babys-neck-rarely-causes-complications/comment-page-1/#comment-7235 Leslie Fri, 14 May 2010 15:19:17 +0000 http://vbacfacts.com/2009/09/16/umbilical-cord-around-babys-neck-cannot-strangle/#comment-7235 Interested to read your article. I was curious to read about oxygen deprivation at birth and it was good to get the resources. My son was born at 10 lbs 15 oz with the cord wrapped 3x around his body-one time each around the neck, an arm and a leg. His heart rate was dropping during non induced labor and it was necessary, I believe, to C-section. It was not the delivery I had hoped for but was thankful he had been carefully monitored and the Dr. acted quickly. Now I see that the pressure on the cord was the main concern. Still, I am glad to know that for a large number of births, this can be normal and not harmful to the infant allowing women to be successful in delivery at home or hospital. Interested to read your article. I was curious to read about oxygen deprivation at birth and it was good to get the resources. My son was born at 10 lbs 15 oz with the cord wrapped 3x around his body-one time each around the neck, an arm and a leg. His heart rate was dropping during non induced labor and it was necessary, I believe, to C-section. It was not the delivery I had hoped for but was thankful he had been carefully monitored and the Dr. acted quickly. Now I see that the pressure on the cord was the main concern. Still, I am glad to know that for a large number of births, this can be normal and not harmful to the infant allowing women to be successful in delivery at home or hospital.

]]> By: Karinda http://vbacfacts.com/2009/09/16/umbilical-cord-around-babys-neck-rarely-causes-complications/comment-page-1/#comment-7101 Karinda Wed, 28 Apr 2010 04:56:38 +0000 http://vbacfacts.com/2009/09/16/umbilical-cord-around-babys-neck-cannot-strangle/#comment-7101 Hello. I was noticing that after writing a short, informative, easy to understand, factual account of some basic information and statistics you have received what seems like quite a bit of negative feedback, as well as mail from those who have experienced loss. I would just like to say that I appreciate your information being available & factual. I like to see all the resources you have sited. I hope that your website helps families find facts & resources that they need. :) Hello. I was noticing that after writing a short, informative, easy to understand, factual account of some basic information and statistics you have received what seems like quite a bit of negative feedback, as well as mail from those who have experienced loss. I would just like to say that I appreciate your information being available & factual. I like to see all the resources you have sited. I hope that your website helps families find facts & resources that they need. :)

]]> By: Jen from vbacfacts.com http://vbacfacts.com/2009/09/16/umbilical-cord-around-babys-neck-rarely-causes-complications/comment-page-1/#comment-6878 Jen from vbacfacts.com Thu, 01 Apr 2010 04:52:39 +0000 http://vbacfacts.com/2009/09/16/umbilical-cord-around-babys-neck-cannot-strangle/#comment-6878 Melody, I am so very sorry for your loss. Warmly, Jen Melody,

I am so very sorry for your loss.

Warmly,

Jen

]]> By: Melody http://vbacfacts.com/2009/09/16/umbilical-cord-around-babys-neck-rarely-causes-complications/comment-page-1/#comment-6849 Melody Sat, 27 Mar 2010 19:35:02 +0000 http://vbacfacts.com/2009/09/16/umbilical-cord-around-babys-neck-cannot-strangle/#comment-6849 At a routine appointment it was discovered that my baby had no heartbeat. I was 35 weeks with no past complications. Upon delivery the cord was found to be wrapped around my baby's neck twice and once around the chest. I will always wonder if something could have been done to save him. At a routine appointment it was discovered that my baby had no heartbeat. I was 35 weeks with no past complications. Upon delivery the cord was found to be wrapped around my baby’s neck twice and once around the chest. I will always wonder if something could have been done to save him.

]]> By: Mia http://vbacfacts.com/2009/09/16/umbilical-cord-around-babys-neck-rarely-causes-complications/comment-page-1/#comment-6798 Mia Fri, 19 Mar 2010 22:18:39 +0000 http://vbacfacts.com/2009/09/16/umbilical-cord-around-babys-neck-cannot-strangle/#comment-6798 I stopped feeling regular kicks at 38 weeks and had bleeding went into hospital and stayed for 2 weeks monitoring but they never bothered to check the nuchal cord round the neck in a an ultrasound and as a result I went through 24 hours labour on the due date and my baby was delivered by cesarian where the nuchal cord was discovered around his neck and he had lost so much weight as his skin was way too big for his body. Looking back I think the whole hospital was extremely negligent the long labour did leave me traumatised. It took me one whole year to recover on my own. I stopped feeling regular kicks at 38 weeks and had bleeding went into hospital and stayed for 2 weeks monitoring but they never bothered to check the nuchal cord round the neck in a
an ultrasound and as a result I went through 24 hours labour on the due date and my baby was delivered by cesarian where the nuchal cord was discovered around his neck and he had lost so much weight as his skin was way too big for his body. Looking back I think the whole hospital was extremely negligent the long labour did leave me traumatised. It took me one whole year to recover on my own.

]]> By: KJ http://vbacfacts.com/2009/09/16/umbilical-cord-around-babys-neck-rarely-causes-complications/comment-page-1/#comment-6629 KJ Sat, 20 Feb 2010 04:37:55 +0000 http://vbacfacts.com/2009/09/16/umbilical-cord-around-babys-neck-cannot-strangle/#comment-6629 Heartbroken, I am so sorry for your loss. But it's impossible to know, without having been there and having all the details, whether or not your son's death really was because of cord wrapping. There are many instances of women being told that their child died because of this or that reason, that later was discovered not to be the case. When there is an unexplained stillbirth, and the baby has cord wrapping, it is very easy to just point to that as the reason. But if we go by odds, 1/3 of stillbirths would likely have cord wrapping, just like normal babies. Many stillbirths could be from other unknown causes and just have wrapping coincident to the actual cause. Again, I am so sorry for your loss. But I think we cannot just leap to conclusions based on a few anecdotes posted on a blog, kwim? Heartbroken, I am so sorry for your loss. But it’s impossible to know, without having been there and having all the details, whether or not your son’s death really was because of cord wrapping. There are many instances of women being told that their child died because of this or that reason, that later was discovered not to be the case. When there is an unexplained stillbirth, and the baby has cord wrapping, it is very easy to just point to that as the reason. But if we go by odds, 1/3 of stillbirths would likely have cord wrapping, just like normal babies. Many stillbirths could be from other unknown causes and just have wrapping coincident to the actual cause.

Again, I am so sorry for your loss. But I think we cannot just leap to conclusions based on a few anecdotes posted on a blog, kwim?

]]> By: Emily http://vbacfacts.com/2009/09/16/umbilical-cord-around-babys-neck-rarely-causes-complications/comment-page-1/#comment-6626 Emily Fri, 19 Feb 2010 06:25:14 +0000 http://vbacfacts.com/2009/09/16/umbilical-cord-around-babys-neck-cannot-strangle/#comment-6626 It is always heart breaking to hear about babies who are born still. There are many reasons why this can happen. There is such a large percentage of babies who are born with cord wraps somewhere. Undoubtedly, babies who are born still may also have cord wraps around them. Though this has been given as the reason for the stillbirth many times, more often than not, it is not the cause for the stillbirth. If the cord is developed properly (many babies who are born still, especially those early or those who pass before labor begins oftentimes have associated missing Wharton's jelly and/or the placenta itself is also improperly developed thus making a cord wrap a risk, though most babies most likely would not have been able to withstand labor with improperly developed placenta/cords anyway). I think it is a huge disservice to grieving families (who are rightly looking for an answer as to why this happens, though sadly there isn't always a reason to give them) to tell them that the cord wrap is to blame. I'm sure well-meaning providers began to use the cord as an excuse to give families a reason to assist them in their grieving process, but this misinformation has continued too long. Without an autopsy further examining the cord and vessels, blaming the nuchal cord to provide some closure for parents is not sound medicine. It is always heart breaking to hear about babies who are born still. There are many reasons why this can happen.

There is such a large percentage of babies who are born with cord wraps somewhere. Undoubtedly, babies who are born still may also have cord wraps around them. Though this has been given as the reason for the stillbirth many times, more often than not, it is not the cause for the stillbirth. If the cord is developed properly (many babies who are born still, especially those early or those who pass before labor begins oftentimes have associated missing Wharton’s jelly and/or the placenta itself is also improperly developed thus making a cord wrap a risk, though most babies most likely would not have been able to withstand labor with improperly developed placenta/cords anyway). I think it is a huge disservice to grieving families (who are rightly looking for an answer as to why this happens, though sadly there isn’t always a reason to give them) to tell them that the cord wrap is to blame. I’m sure well-meaning providers began to use the cord as an excuse to give families a reason to assist them in their grieving process, but this misinformation has continued too long. Without an autopsy further examining the cord and vessels, blaming the nuchal cord to provide some closure for parents is not sound medicine.

]]> By: Jen from vbacfacts.com http://vbacfacts.com/2009/09/16/umbilical-cord-around-babys-neck-rarely-causes-complications/comment-page-1/#comment-6625 Jen from vbacfacts.com Fri, 19 Feb 2010 06:02:07 +0000 http://vbacfacts.com/2009/09/16/umbilical-cord-around-babys-neck-cannot-strangle/#comment-6625 Heartbroken, I'm so sorry about your son. I agree with you that if a nuchal cord is suspected, the baby's heartrate should be monitored. I was trying to express how common nuchal cords are and how rarely they result in a stillbirth, thus putting the risk into perspective. I did not say that nuchal cords are not a reason for concern. I did imply in the opening sentence that nuchal cords are not a reason for an automatic cesarean section unless oxygen delivery to the infant is impacted. Yet the research I cited found that even though nuchal cord babies were delivered by cesarean at a lower rate that non-nuchal cord babies, the outcomes were the same. I'm so sorry that you were the statistic. Warmly, Jen Heartbroken,

I’m so sorry about your son. I agree with you that if a nuchal cord is suspected, the baby’s heartrate should be monitored. I was trying to express how common nuchal cords are and how rarely they result in a stillbirth, thus putting the risk into perspective. I did not say that nuchal cords are not a reason for concern. I did imply in the opening sentence that nuchal cords are not a reason for an automatic cesarean section unless oxygen delivery to the infant is impacted. Yet the research I cited found that even though nuchal cord babies were delivered by cesarean at a lower rate that non-nuchal cord babies, the outcomes were the same. I’m so sorry that you were the statistic.

Warmly,

Jen

]]> By: Heartbroken http://vbacfacts.com/2009/09/16/umbilical-cord-around-babys-neck-rarely-causes-complications/comment-page-1/#comment-6603 Heartbroken Mon, 15 Feb 2010 14:16:03 +0000 http://vbacfacts.com/2009/09/16/umbilical-cord-around-babys-neck-cannot-strangle/#comment-6603 I think that nuchal cords ARE a reason for concern. My son was stillborn 2.5 months ago because the cord was wrapped around his neck and right leg. Even if the majority of babies are not affected by a nuchal cord, there are babies that die from this. If it is determined that the cord is wrapped around a baby, I feel very strongly that a mother should be monitored closely. I find it very insensitive that anyone would say this is not a reason for concern. Maybe that's the problem here. Maybe if more people were concerned about this, less babies would be stillborn. I think that nuchal cords ARE a reason for concern. My son was stillborn 2.5 months ago because the cord was wrapped around his neck and right leg. Even if the majority of babies are not affected by a nuchal cord, there are babies that die from this. If it is determined that the cord is wrapped around a baby, I feel very strongly that a mother should be monitored closely. I find it very insensitive that anyone would say this is not a reason for concern. Maybe that’s the problem here. Maybe if more people were concerned about this, less babies would be stillborn.

]]> By: Jen from vbacfacts.com http://vbacfacts.com/2009/09/16/umbilical-cord-around-babys-neck-rarely-causes-complications/comment-page-1/#comment-6579 Jen from vbacfacts.com Thu, 11 Feb 2010 05:32:23 +0000 http://vbacfacts.com/2009/09/16/umbilical-cord-around-babys-neck-cannot-strangle/#comment-6579 SD, I am so relieved that your daughter is ok. That must have been horribly frightening! I hope your counseling facilitates healing and provides you with some peace and comfort. Warmly, Jen SD,

I am so relieved that your daughter is ok. That must have been horribly frightening! I hope your counseling facilitates healing and provides you with some peace and comfort.

Warmly,

Jen

]]> By: SD http://vbacfacts.com/2009/09/16/umbilical-cord-around-babys-neck-rarely-causes-complications/comment-page-1/#comment-6573 SD Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:16:46 +0000 http://vbacfacts.com/2009/09/16/umbilical-cord-around-babys-neck-cannot-strangle/#comment-6573 My daughter was born 31st august 09 with nuchal cord x 3. She had significant heart decelerations and we had to get her out quickly. She needed resuscitation when she was delivered. For a week before I was induced (severe separated symphasis pubis) she had a low heart rate and restricted movements. All of this was put down to the cord being wrapped round her neck. I have been so traumatised about what could have happened I am receiving counseling and it has taken me 5 months to google this. My daughter was born 31st august 09 with nuchal cord x 3. She had significant heart decelerations and we had to get her out quickly. She needed resuscitation when she was delivered. For a week before I was induced (severe separated symphasis pubis) she had a low heart rate and restricted movements. All of this was put down to the cord being wrapped round her neck. I have been so traumatised about what could have happened I am receiving counseling and it has taken me 5 months to google this.

]]> By: Zsuzsi http://vbacfacts.com/2009/09/16/umbilical-cord-around-babys-neck-rarely-causes-complications/comment-page-1/#comment-6533 Zsuzsi Thu, 04 Feb 2010 01:50:31 +0000 http://vbacfacts.com/2009/09/16/umbilical-cord-around-babys-neck-cannot-strangle/#comment-6533 I am so sorry to read about your loss. I lost my son Zachary at 37 weeks to pre-eclampsia. The March of Dimes has an amazing support group called SHARE - you should come and check it out. Take care. -Zsuzsi I am so sorry to read about your loss. I lost my son Zachary at 37 weeks to pre-eclampsia. The March of Dimes has an amazing support group called SHARE – you should come and check it out.
Take care.
-Zsuzsi

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