Cord wrapped around the baby's neck describes which condition?

• A. Umbilical Cord Positioning
• B. Prolapsed Cord
• C. Placental Abruption
• D. Nuchal Cord

Answer: (D)

A nuchal cord is a loop of the umbilical cord wrapped around the baby’s neck. It’s fairly common and usually harmless, because the loop doesn’t necessarily block blood flow as long as it isn’t tight. If the loop is constricting, it can reduce oxygen delivery and cause fetal distress, which is monitored by the fetal heart rate during labor. In that situation, clinicians may gently slip the loop over the baby’s head as delivery progresses or proceed to a quicker delivery if needed. This condition is distinct from a prolapsed cord, where the cord descends into the birth canal ahead of the baby and can be rapidly compressed, and from placental abruption, which involves premature separation of the placenta causing vaginal bleeding and uterine tenderness rather than a cord loop around the neck.