cord prolapse

Cord prolapse is an obstetric emergency during pregnancy or labour that endangers the life of the fetus. It occurs when the umbilical cord presents itself outside of the uterus while the fetus is still inside. It can happen when the water breaks – with the gush of water the cord comes along. Usually, thereafter the fetus will engage and squash the cord, cutting off oxygen supplies and leading to  brain damage of the fetus, or stillbirth. Before that happens, the baby must be delivered quickly by caesarean section. In the meantime, the woman adopts the knee-elbow position, and an attendant reaches into the vagina and pushes the presenting part (usually the head) back in so that it does not suffocate the cord. It is useless to try to push the cord back in.
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