What to do if the umbilical cord is wrapped around the neck and there are frequent fetal movements?

Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
Updated on June 19, 2025
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When there is umbilical cord entanglement, if there is an increase in fetal movement frequency, it is important to consistently monitor the fetal movements. If, during monitoring, the fetal movements become especially frequent, or if there is a sudden cessation of movement after frequent movements, this is a very dangerous sign and immediate medical examination at a hospital is necessary. Additionally, regular prenatal examinations at the hospital should be conducted, such as fetal heart monitoring or ultrasound checks. It's also important to adopt a left lateral sleeping position to improve placental blood supply, avoid vigorous exercise, and maintain a relaxed mindset.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Does the baby not move much when the umbilical cord is wrapped around the neck and there is not much amniotic fluid for one week?

When umbilical cord wrapping around the neck occurs during pregnancy, it generally does not affect the fetal limb movement. However, a decrease in amniotic fluid can affect the baby's movements. When amniotic fluid decreases, the baby has less room to move inside the uterus, thus causing reduced fetal movements. It is recommended to regularly visit the hospital for prenatal check-ups. If a reduction in amniotic fluid occurs, it is important to promptly identify the reason and then proceed with appropriate treatment. Regular monitoring of fetal movement changes is advised, and fetal heart monitoring can be done to assess the safety of the fetus. Drinking more water to replenish amniotic fluid is also advisable.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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Is it dangerous for the umbilical cord to be wrapped around the neck during the mid-stage of pregnancy?

During a mid-pregnancy ultrasound, it is sometimes indicated by the presence of a U-shaped or W-shaped notch behind the fetus's neck that the fetus may have the umbilical cord wrapped around its neck. During pregnancy, it is perfectly normal for the umbilical cord to wrap around the neck, and it generally does not affect the fetus or pose any danger. The length of the umbilical cord during pregnancy is approximately 30 to 80 centimeters, which is quite long relative to the size of the uterine cavity. Hence, many umbilical cords have excess length that can wrap around the neck or limbs of the fetus, leading to the umbilical cord being coiled around the neck or limbs. However, current research indicates that whether the umbilical cord is wrapped around the neck or limbs once or twice, it does not affect the fetus. It does not cause intrauterine hypoxia or affect the growth and development of the fetus, nor does it influence the mode of delivery. A natural childbirth can still be an entirely viable option.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Can ultrasound detect nuchal cord?

During the color ultrasound examination, it is possible to detect whether the fetus is experiencing umbilical cord entanglement around the neck. If the ultrasound shows a V-shaped echo around the fetal neck, it generally indicates that the umbilical cord is wrapped around once. If the echo is W-shaped, then the cord is wrapped twice. If the cord is wrapped multiple times, the echo will appear serrated. Additionally, the color ultrasound can also assess the blood flow around the umbilicus to determine the presence of umbilical cord entanglement. If cord entanglement is detected, it is recommended to have regular ultrasound check-ups at the hospital to monitor the fetus's safety in the uterus.

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Written by Liu Wen Li
Obstetrics
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What should I do if the umbilical cord is wrapped around the neck once during the mid-pregnancy?

The incidence of the umbilical cord wrapping around the neck once is quite high, accounting for about one-fifth of pregnant women. Generally, if the umbilical cord is loosely wrapped around the child's neck, and if the cord is long enough, it usually does not have a significant impact on the fetus. However, if the umbilical cord is tightly wrapped around the neck, and additionally, if the cord is relatively short, it can sometimes lead to pulling and thinning of the cord, causing obstruction in the blood vessels within the cord. This can result in oxygen deficiency for the baby. Therefore, during the mid-pregnancy period when umbilical cord entanglement occurs, it is important to enhance monitoring. Regular prenatal check-ups, counting fetal movements by oneself, and frequent monitoring of fetal heart rate changes are advisable.

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Written by Zhang Yin Xing
Obstetrics
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Is moxibustion useful for breech presentation and nuchal cord?

Fetal breech presentation and nuchal cord can be effectively addressed with moxibustion. Breech positions are common in early pregnancy but typically resolve to a head-first position by 32 weeks and become relatively stable. Higher incidences of breech positions are noted in cases of fetal abnormalities, twin pregnancies, abnormal amounts of amniotic fluid, uterine abnormalities, and narrow pelvis. If a breech position is still present after 32 weeks, moxibustion treatment can be considered. Moxibustion is applied at the Zhiyin acupoint (located 0.1 inches beside the nail corner on the outer side of the little toe) and is generally recommended once daily for 15 to 30 minutes, with one week constituting a treatment course. Afterward, the improvement in the fetal position can be evaluated. The purpose of using moxibustion is to promote fetal activity, which may help resolve nuchal cord entanglement during fetal movements.