What can you do for a prolapsed cord at home?
Cord prolapse management Move into a knee-chest position on the floor, with your bottom higher than your shoulders, to take the baby’s weight off your cervix. Stay in this position until the ambulance arrives. If the cord is protruding out of your vagina, gently push it back in.
Why is cord prolapse an emergency?
In an umbilical cord prolapse, the umbilical cord slips ahead of the fetus and moves into the cervical canal, vagina, or comes out of the birth canal before the baby (1). This is an obstetrical emergency because the cord is at high risk for compression, blocking oxygen and blood flow to the baby.
Should a prolapsed cord be replaced into the vagina?
When delivery is imminent, this is less of a concern. But with a prolonged interval to delivery, the cord could dry out, which could lead to vasospasm and thus, potentially worse outcomes. Therefore, if the cord prolapses through the introitus, it should be gently replaced into the vagina.
Which of the following is the nurse’s initial action when umbilical cord prolapse occurs?
The immediate priority is to minimize pressure on the cord. Thus the nurse’s initial action involves placing the client on bed rest and then placing the client in a knee-chest position or lowering the head of the bed, and elevating the maternal hips on a pillow to minimize the pressure on the cord.
How do you relieve umbilical cord pressure?
One of the leading treatments of umbilical cord compression is amnioinfusion. Amnioinfusion is a process that involves introducing a saline solution, at room temperature, into the uterus during labor in order to relieve the pressure that can potentially lead to the umbilical cord becoming compressed.
How does a prolapsed umbilical cord happen?
An umbilical cord prolapse happens when the umbilical cord slips down in front of the baby after the waters have broken. The cord can then come through the open cervix (entrance of the womb). It usually happens during labour but can occur when the waters break before labour starts.
How do you prevent a prolapsed umbilical cord?
Umbilical cord prolapse cannot be prevented. However, if you are at increased risk, you may be advised to be admitted to hospital – then immediate action can be taken if your waters break or you go into labour.
Can cord prolapse happen without water breaking?
What is cord prolapse?
Before or during birth, the umbilical cord can drop through the open cervix into the vagina ahead of the baby. This complication, called umbilical cord prolapse, must be dealt with immediately so the fetus doesn’t put pressure on the cord, cutting off oxygen.
What to do if umbilical cord prolapse occurs?
Firstly, call for help – umbilical cord prolapse is an obstetric emergency. It should be managed as follows: Avoid handling the cord to reduce vasospasm. Manually elevate the presenting part by lifting the presenting part off the cord by vaginal digital examination.
What happens to the umbilical cord during delivery?
Umbilical cord prolapse is an uncommon but potentially fatal obstetric emergency. When this occurs during labor or delivery the prolapsed cord is compressed between the fetal presenting part and the cervix. This can result in a loss of oxygen to the fetus, and may even result in a stillbirth.
How does fetal hypoxia cause umbilical cord prolapse?
Umbilical cord prolapse is where the umbilical cord descends through the cervix, with (or before) the presenting part of the fetus. Subsequently, fetal hypoxia occurs via two main mechanisms: Occlusion – the presenting part of the fetus presses onto the umbilical cord, occluding blood flow to the fetus.
How does an EMT take pressure off the umbilical cord?
These positions will help take pressure off the umbilical cord. The EMT may do a cervical exam and reach inside your vagina to lift your baby off the cord. Or the EMT may use a catheter to fill your bladder with saline during the trip to the hospital to keep pressure off the cord.