Having a child is one of the most fascinating experiences anyone can have. It’s a part of you taking shape and coming to life. That’s why many women consider the moment of childbirth one of the most intense moments of their lives. But despite all the magic and these feelings we’ve just talked about, childbirth is also a time that can bring problems, especially when it comes to the true umbilical cord knot.
Although it is not well known or much talked about, it’s an issue that can lead to various consequences, and for that very reason, it needs to be looked at closely. It is true that problems such as the circular knot or true umbilical cord knot do not only appear at the time of birth and can complicate a woman’s pregnancy from the very beginning.
Precaution
Nonetheless, good medical supervision can prevent serious consequences from occurring, with interventions ranging from medications to even an induced labor—if the doctor deems it necessary, of course.
But to understand why exactly these problems like the true umbilical cord knot occur during pregnancy for so many women, we first need to understand what this cord, so crucial for the origin of life, actually is.
What Is the Function of the Umbilical Cord?
The umbilical cord normally appears after the 8th week of pregnancy, even though it is still in a primitive form. It is made up of a gelatinous material called Wharton’s jelly, which contains two arteries and one vein1 inside it.
It acts as the link between mother and baby throughout the pregnancy; the umbilical cord is responsible for all the baby’s nourishment during gestation, supplying all the essential nutrients from the mother’s body.
The baby’s breathing inside the womb happens through the umbilical cord, with the vein and arteries from the placenta connected to the uterus. For this reason, when the cord is cut at birth, arteries that had barely been used until then open up and become the baby’s main way of breathing through the lungs.
The function of the umbilical cord is, basically, to nourish the baby and ensure its breathing inside the womb until the moment of birth. And now that we understand why it is so important for the formation of our life, we can talk in more depth about the problems that can occur with the umbilical cord.
Types of Knots in the Umbilical Cord
There are basically two types of knots that can occur in umbilical cords:
- Circular umbilical cord knot
- True umbilical cord knot
Circular Umbilical Cord Knot
In the case of the circular knot, the cord wraps itself around limbs or specific parts of the baby’s body, which does not pose a great risk to the baby. The true umbilical cord knot, however, is a somewhat more complicated situation.
True Umbilical Cord Knot
It occurs when the cord ties itself into an actual knot. This problem is rare, appearing in about 2% of pregnancies only2, but it causes a lot of concern because, depending on how tight the knot is, it can even interrupt the transfer of nutrients between mother and baby.
It can block the circulation of the vein and arteries that make up the cord. A doctor may notice the problem during an ultrasound, even though in most cases the diagnosis is only made at the time of birth.
How to Prevent True Umbilical Cord Knot?
There are no direct ways to prevent this problem. However, since it is often linked to conditions like gestational diabetes, preventing that illness may help the pregnant woman avoid a true umbilical cord knot.
A morphological ultrasound in the first months of pregnancy and taking certain medications can be helpful for women to avoid developing gestational diabetes.
ATTENTION: Always seek help from a physician if you notice signs of a possible illness. Never self-medicate, especially when you are pregnant; this can have negative consequences for both you and your baby.
Causes of Umbilical Cord Problems
There are many other types of problems that may occur with the umbilical cord, for various reasons, and that are directly or indirectly related to the true umbilical cord knot. The main ones are:
- Umbilical Cord Too Short
- Obstructed Veins or Arteries
- Problems During Labor
Let’s talk in more detail about each of them to understand how they occur and the best ways to deal with them.
Umbilical Cord Too Short
This problem can lead to consequences such as lack of oxygen or nutrients for the baby if the cord is too short3. On the other hand, when the cord is excessively long, other problems can occur, such as the two types of knots mentioned earlier.
Vein Obstruction
Vein obstruction can cause asphyxia or complete loss of nutrients to the baby, leading to death or other serious consequences. This often happens due to a true umbilical cord knot, but can also occur if the cord is too short.
Problems During Labor
Problems with the umbilical cord during labor—such as when it is wrapped around the child’s neck, for example—can usually be corrected without causing major issues.
Many times, some knots are only identified at this stage and corrected immediately, leaving the baby with no aftereffects. When this happens, the baby generally stays at the hospital for a few days under observation to check their condition and ensure they are ready to go home without any problems.
Understanding what the umbilical cord is and what its function is is essential both for women who wish to become mothers and for those who are just starting pregnancy or have been pregnant for a while. Knowing this information is important because not every time you are examined by a doctor will they immediately associate your problem with this, but you can point out some problems that might occur with you.
But don’t worry—even though they exist, problems like the true umbilical cord knot can be resolved, especially if you have good medical follow-up and are attentive to what could happen during your pregnancy.
As we’ve said, having a child is a unique and special moment, so don’t let this kind of setback spoil your pregnancy or journey to motherhood—after all, it isn’t something that happens every day.
See Also: All About Vaginal Birth: Does the Cord Matter?
Photo: sbtlneet
