Can you have a natural birth if the umbilical cord is wrapped around the neck once?

Written by Zhao Su Min

Obstetrics

Updated on June 03, 2025

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An umbilical cord wrapped around the neck once is generally manageable with normal delivery.

An umbilical cord wrapped around the neck indicates that the cord is relatively long, or that the fetus has a large range of movement within the womb. The occurrence of the cord around the neck, if just one loop, usually does not affect the delivery and does not cause fetal distress inside the womb. If the cord is wrapped around the neck three times or more, a cesarean section may be considered to end the pregnancy.

Moreover, the decision for normal delivery should also consider the baby’s size or the size of the pelvis. At 39 weeks of pregnancy, if there are no signs of labor, it is advisable to go to the hospital to check the pelvis to see if vaginal delivery is possible. If vaginal delivery is possible, one can wait; if not, a cesarean section is recommended.

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Written by Zhang Lu

Obstetrics

1min 2sec

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What to do when the umbilical cord is wrapped around the neck at 39 weeks of pregnancy?

At 39 weeks of pregnancy, it is full-term and nearing the expected delivery date. During this period, if the umbilical cord is found to be wrapped around the neck, it is a normal occurrence and there is no need for excessive worry. Umbilical cord wrapping around the neck is a normal variation that does not affect fetal growth and development, nor does it cause fetal hypoxia, and it also does not affect the method of childbirth. Therefore, for a 39-week pregnancy with the umbilical cord wrapped around the neck there is no difference from a normal pregnancy. Just follow the normal procedures for routine prenatal checks and waiting for childbirth. If there are no signs of labor, then continue to wait until after week 40 to go to the hospital for childbirth. However, if there are signs of labor, you should go to the hospital in time, wait for childbirth, and pay attention to enhanced monitoring during the process. There is no need to intervene with the umbilical cord being wrapped around the neck, nor is there any way to proactively intervene with it.

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Written by Liu Wen Li

Obstetrics

56sec

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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 Lu

Obstetrics

1min 6sec

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Can placenta previa with the umbilical cord wrapped around the neck one time be delivered vaginally?

Placenta previa and umbilical cord around the neck are two relatively common clinical conditions during pregnancy, and they have different impacts on natural childbirth. First, having the umbilical cord wrapped around the neck once is a very normal physiological occurrence, and it generally does not affect the ability to have a natural childbirth in any situation. Therefore, from the perspective of the umbilical cord around the neck, it does not affect natural childbirth. Second, placenta previa refers to the lower edge of the placenta being close to the internal os of the cervix. Whether natural childbirth is possible mainly depends on the type of placenta previa. If it is a partial or central placenta previa, such conditions generally cannot proceed with natural childbirth, as they might cause significant bleeding, necessitating an elective cesarean section. However, in the case of marginal placenta previa, where there is still some distance between the lower edge of the placenta and the cervical os, attempting natural childbirth might be possible, provided that preparations for a cesarean section are in place.

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Written by Du Rui Xia

Obstetrics

46sec

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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 Du Rui Xia

Obstetrics

44sec

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Can I walk for an hour after meals if the umbilical cord is wrapped around the neck?

In cases where there is umbilical cord entanglement around the neck, as long as the baby's fetal heart rate and fetal movement checks are normal, the mother can normally go for a walk after meals. This condition will not affect the fetus. It is important to regularly visit the hospital for fetal heart monitoring and prenatal examinations, pay attention to observing changes in fetal movement inside the womb, and avoid doing overly heavy or intense exercises. If any abnormalities in fetal movement or heart rate are observed, it is necessary to go to the hospital for examination. When needed, oxygen intake and treatments to preserve the pregnancy might be required.