During pregnancy, the umbilical cord that establishes a connection between you and your baby, basically attaches to the bloodstream (placenta), which transfers nutrients and oxygen via the to the growing baby, well before the baby is born.
Umbilical Cord – The Structure
The umbilical cord is a rope-like structure with a thin external covering called Wharton's jelly, which is attached to the centre of the placenta. It is made up of two small arteries and a vein. During pregnancy, the umbilical cord can grow up to 50 centimetres in length and 2 centimetres in diameter, almost like a spring, around the jelly encouraging the baby’s movement. However, the coiling – pattern develops itself by the ninth week of pregnancy.
In fact, the umbilical cord blood, which the baby doesn’t need after-birth, has elements of regular blood along with the stem cells that can be used treat over 80 life-threating diseases. The stem cells can be harvested and cryo-preserved for future usage, thus allowing the parents-to-be to make an informed decision on cord blood banking
But the cord comes with its many challenges, rather abnormalities
The cord abnormalities are:
- Length: The cord may be too long or short.
- Placenta Insertion: The cord may not connect to the placenta properly
- Cord Compression or Knot: Nuchal cord or entanglement of the umbilical cord around the foetal neck.
Reasons Behind an Umbilical Cord Knot
During pregnancy, the baby, kicks and wiggles, thus exploring the home, inside your womb. As the baby moves it is easy for it to knot the cord around its neck. Most of these knots take place, during the pregnancy early on, while the baby is still small and has space to move around.
But there are factors too that increase the chances of cord knot like:
- Twins sharing one amniotic sac
- Not enough amniotic fluid for the baby
- An umbilical cord which longer than is necessary
- A baby, who smaller than normal, thus allowing more space to move around
Signs of a Cord Knot
During pregnancy, you might have to go for regular check-ups, via ultrasound scans. However, the scans do not show the cord knots. Additionally, the scans aren’t clear enough to show a knot. But, when sonographers or doctors check the baby’s heart through the scan and can detect a problem with the blood flow, it can be considered as a sign of a cord knot. In fact, in such conditions, your baby might be less active.
The Knot Concerns
Most of the knots are not a cause of concern, as long as the knot isn’t too tight (also known as true knot) to restrict the blood flow and nutrients. In fact, a tight knot might complicate your pregnancy.
That’s not all!
As you proceed towards the stages of labour, the doctors monitor the baby’s heart rate quite closely. If somehow the baby’s heart rate drops, and the situations worsens further, an emergency C-section may be necessitated.
To Conclude
Having said that, tick the number of kicks and if you feel the baby is kicking less than 10 – times in two hours, consult the doctor immediately