MIDIRS Practice Development > Obstetric Emergencies

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Umbilical cord prolapse

Originally posted on 04/15/2010

Cord prolapse is a true obstetric emergency associated with maternal morbidity and perinatal morbidity and mortality.The perinatal mortality rate associated with cord prolapse remains high at around 9 per cent, although the rate has fallen in past decades.

This is believed to be due to modern obstetric practices which may have influenced the natural history of cord prolapse.

The term ‘cord prolapse’ refers to the descent of the umbilical cord, following rupture of the membranes, through the cervix so that it lies either alongside the fetal presenting part or descends beyond it. Where the forewaters are still intact, this is defined as a ‘cord presentation’. In normal circumstances, the well flexed fetal head moves down into the maternal pelvis during the latter weeks of pregnancy or in early labour, which prevents the descent of the umbilical cord.

Vicky Carne | MIDIRS 2010

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