Was the umbilical cord wrapped around the baby’s neck during delivery? Now, doctors are telling you that the child has suffered a brain injury? Or, has your baby been given a cerebral palsy diagnosis and you remember the umbilical cord wrapped around your baby’s neck?
The purpose of this Maryland birth injury article is to help understand nuchal cord, and how it can lead to a brain injury if it is not treated in time. In some cases, nuchal cord can even lead to death.
WHY IS THE UMBILICAL CORD IMPORTANT TO A BABY?
The umbilical cord has been described by some people as the lifeline for a baby. This is because the umbilical cord connects the baby to the mother. The cord provides essential things like blood and oxygen to the baby, among other things.
If the umbilical cord is injured, or restricted in any way, this can lead to serious injury to the baby, or even death. Below are some of the risk factors for nuchal cord:
- Umbilical Cord Longer Than 70cm
- Pregnancy More Than 42 Weeks
- Male Baby
- Large Baby
- Twins & Multiple Babies
UMBILICAL CORD WRAPPED AROUND THE BABY’S NECK
As mentioned above, the umbilical cord is considered the baby’s life line. When the baby’s umbilical cord is wrapped around its neck there is always a danger of the cord becoming restricted. Therefore, doctors and nurses must pay close attention to whether the baby is tolerating a vaginal delivery.
An umbilical cord wrapped around a baby’s neck can cut off blood and oxygen to the brain. The electronic fetal heart monitor, a tool used in hospitals all around the country, can be used to determine whether the baby is dealing with a possible deprivation of oxygen. The monitor may reflect a sudden drop and the baby’s heart rate. Other signs such as late decelerations and minimal variability for example, can also reveal possible problems for the baby.
If nuchal cord is left untreated, serious injury can occur, as mentioned above. During delivery if the condition cannot be resolved with certain techniques, doctors must be ready to move to an emergency C-section.
DOES YOUR BABY HAVE A BRAIN INJURY FOLLOWING BIRTH?
If you have more questions regarding the umbilical cord wrapped around the baby’s neck, this is what I invite you to do. Pick up the phone and give me a call. I can be reached at 301-850-4832. I answer Maryland birth injury and medical malpractice questions just like yours all the time and I would be happy to listen to your story.
Marcus B. Boston, Esq.
Boston Law Group, LLC
2 Wisconsin Circle, Suite 700
Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815
1-833-4 BABY HELP
