How many umbilical cords does a baby have

The provider can confirm a cord prolapse by doing a pelvic examination. Cord prolapse is an emergency. Pressure on the cord must be relieved immediately by lifting the presenting fetal part away from the cord while preparing the woman for prompt cesarean delivery.

Vasa previa occurs when one or more blood vessels from the umbilical cord or placenta cross the cervix underneath the baby. The blood vessels, unprotected by the Wharton's jelly in the umbilical cord or the tissue in the placenta, sometimes tear when the cervix dilates or the membranes rupture.

This can result in life-threatening bleeding in the baby. Even if the blood vessels do not tear, the baby may suffer from lack of oxygen due to pressure on the blood vessels. Vasa previa occurs in 1 in 2, births 4. When vasa previa is diagnosed unexpectedly at delivery, more than half of affected babies are stillborn 4. However, when vasa previa is diagnosed by ultrasound earlier in pregnancy, fetal deaths generally can be prevented by delivering the baby by cesarean section at about 35 weeks of gestation 4.

Pregnant women with vasa previa sometimes have painless vaginal bleeding in the second or third trimester. A pregnant woman who experiences vaginal bleeding should always report it to her health care provider so that the cause can be determined and any necessary steps taken to protect the baby. About 25 percent of babies are born with a nuchal cord the umbilical cord wrapped around the baby's neck 1.

A nuchal cord, also called nuchal loops, rarely causes any problems. Babies with a nuchal cord are generally healthy. Sometimes fetal monitoring shows heart rate abnormalities during labor and delivery in babies with a nuchal cord. This may reflect pressure on the cord. However, the pressure is rarely serious enough to cause death or any lasting problems, although occasionally a cesarean delivery may be needed.

Less frequently, the umbilical cord becomes wrapped around other parts of the baby's body, such as a foot or hand. Generally, this doesn't harm the baby. About 1 percent of babies are born with one or more knots in the umbilical cord 1. Some knots form during delivery when a baby with a nuchal cord is pulled through the loop. Others form during pregnancy when the baby moves around.

Knots occur most often when the umbilical cord is too long and in identical-twin pregnancies. Identical twins share a single amniotic sac, and the babies' cords can become entangled. As long as the knot remains loose, it generally does not harm the baby. However, sometimes the knot or knots can be pulled tight, cutting off the baby's oxygen supply.

Cord knots result in miscarriage or stillbirth in 5 percent of cases 1. During labor and delivery, a tightening knot can cause the baby to have heart rate abnormalities that are detected by fetal monitoring.

In some cases, a cesarean delivery may be necessary. Umbilical cord cysts are outpockets in the cord. They are found in about 3 percent of pregnancies 2. Studies suggest that both types of cysts are sometimes associated with birth defects, including chromosomal abnormalities and kidney and abdominal defects 2.

When a cord cyst is found during an ultrasound, the provider may recommend additional tests, such as amniocentesis and a detailed ultrasound, to diagnose or rule out birth defects.

The March of Dimes continues to support research aimed at preventing umbilical cord abnormalities and the complications they cause. One grantee is studying the development of blood vessels in the umbilical cord for insight into the causes of single umbilical artery and other cord abnormalities.

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The umbilical cord is responsible for transporting oxygen-rich blood to a baby and taking away oxygen-poor blood and waste products from a baby.

The umbilical vein carries oxygen-rich blood to the baby. The umbilical arteries carry oxygen-poor blood away from the fetus and to the placenta. Another is a two-vessel cord or SUA. This cord type has a single artery and vein instead of two arteries and a vein.

Some women are more likely to have a two-vessel cord than others. Risk factors for a two-vessel cord include:. Doctors usually identify a two-vessel cord during a prenatal ultrasound.

This is an imaging study of the baby. Doctors typically look for the umbilical arteries in the second trimester exam at around 18 weeks. However, sometimes the position of a baby makes it hard for your doctor to fully view the cord. Another option is a color-flow Doppler ultrasound machine, which can help a doctor detect a two-vessel cord earlier.

There are many babies that have a single umbilical artery that have healthy pregnancies and deliveries. However, some babies with a single artery are at increased risk for birth defects. Examples of birth defects that babies with a two-vessel diagnosis may have include:.

This stands for vertebral defects, anal atresia, transesophageal fistula with esophageal atresia, and radial dysplasia. Babies with a two-vessel cord may also be at higher risk for not growing properly. This could include preterm delivery, slower-than-normal fetal growth, or stillbirth. Your doctor can discuss these individual risks with you.