If the baby has a cord circular at birth, can there be a problem?
Cord turns rarely cause problems.
The umbilical cord is usually wrapped around the neck during pregnancy, because of the movements of the baby. It is very common for many babies to be born with some circular cord, in fact approximately 1 in 3 babies are born with the umbilical cord around the neck.
Inside the uterus the fetus does not breathe through its lungs but through the umbilical cord, so having a circular cord does not mean that the baby can not breathe. Oxygen comes through the placenta and the umbilical cord.
The umbilical cord is covered with a thick protective coating called Wharton’s Jelly . This coating has the texture of cartilage and covers two arteries and a vein, which are the main channels for the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the baby. The function of Wharton’s gelatin is to protect the blood vessels inside the umbilical cord from being crushed by torsion or compression, and therefore the supply of oxygen and nutrients can be affected. Wharton’s gelatin also prevents the formation of knots in the umbilical cord.
At the time of birth, once the baby’s head is out, health personnel attending the birth will control the possible existence of umbilical cord loops around the baby’s neck. If the cord is wrapped around the baby’s neck and is not tight, a finger will be placed between the cord and the neck, undoing the circular, and sliding it over the baby’s head. Normally, you will be asked not to push for a minute while the circular is undone.
Sometimes the cord is wrapped too tightly and it is necessary to cut the cord before the baby is born.