Umbilical cord prolapse

Definition

• • obstetric emergency;

  • Prolapse can be

    • occult (the cord has not come through the cervix but is being compressed between the fetal head and the uterine wall)

    • partial (the cord is between the head and the dilated cervical os but has not protruded into the vagina)

    • complete (the cord has protruded into the vagina).

Risk Factors

• • Rupture of membranes with the presenting fetal part not applied firmly to the cervix, malpresentation.

  • Amniotomy at –2 station

Management

• • Do not hold the cord or try to push it back into the uterus.

  • Place the patient in knee-chest position, elevate the presenting part, avoid palpating the cord → immediate cesarean delivery.