When the baby’s cord actually knots itself inside the womb, it is known as a true umbilical cord knot. During pregnancy, this can happen naturally as the baby moves and rotates. Though rare, if the knot tightens, it may raise questions about the baby’s health.
True knots frequently don’t hurt anyone and sometimes aren’t even noticed until after birth. On the other hand, if the knot becomes extremely tight, it may restrict the baby’s access to oxygen and nutrients, which could be harmful.
Expectant parents should be aware of this condition, but they should also know that during prenatal visits, doctors can detect any potential problems by closely monitoring the baby’s development.
| Term | Description |
| True umbilical cord knot | A true knot forms when the umbilical cord loops around itself during pregnancy. |
| Risk to the baby | It can restrict blood flow and oxygen, posing a potential danger to the baby’s health. |
When the baby’s movements in the womb cause the cord to loop and form a knot, it is called a true umbilical cord knot. Even though most knots are not harmful, there is a chance that they could become more constricted and impede the baby’s access to oxygen and blood. Because of the potential for complications, it’s critical that medical professionals keep a close eye on the baby’s health throughout pregnancy and delivery.
- What does this mean?
- Causes of formation
- Diagnostics
- Consequences for the child
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What does this mean?
The umbilical cord is often described as an extended "cord." It reaches the placenta from the infant. During pregnancy, the umbilical cord serves as a kind of "bridge" that connects the developing baby and its mother. It is a long umbilical cord. A healthy umbilical cord measures between 50 and 70 cm in length during a normal pregnancy. The umbilical cord typically has a thickness of 2 cm. One reason the umbilical cord can twist into loops or even knots is because it is quite long. Medics refer to these knots as true.
It should be mentioned that in obstetric practice, this pathology is extremely uncommon. Statistical analysis reveals that true knots on the umbilical cord occur in approximately 1% of cases. That being said, this pathological condition carries a high risk. It can seriously worsen the course of pregnancy and possibly even have a role in the fetus developing harmful pathologies.
Causes of formation
A variety of factors can lead to the appearance of knots on the umbilical cord. The most common cause of this pathology is the baby"s intense motor activity. Usually, the fetus that develops in the mother"s womb is more mobile in the first half of pregnancy. The smaller the baby, the easier it is for him to move. As the baby grows, the number of active movements he makes begins to gradually decrease. This happens because the baby gradually becomes cramped in the uterus. This feature determines the fact that true knots on the umbilical cord are formed mainly before the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. This fact is confirmed by the reviews of mothers who encountered this problem while carrying babies.
Diagnostics
It is important to note up front that figuring out the true knots on the umbilical cord is a pretty challenging task. Typically, medical professionals identify these alterations after the child is born, or retrospectively. The placenta and umbilical cord can be closely examined by doctors after birth. It is usually during such an examination that true nodules are found.
Regretfully, a pathology cannot be suspected based solely on a few clinical signs or symptoms. There are no particular symptoms that would unquestionably point to nodules on the umbilical cord.
It is worth noting that sometimes nodules on the umbilical cord are still detected during an ultrasound. This usually becomes possible when the study is carried out on expert-level equipment, by an experienced and qualified specialist. The difficulty in detecting true nodules on the umbilical cord is that the umbilical cord is quite long. An ultrasound specialist cannot always examine every centimeter of it. You can suspect the presence of a nodule on the umbilical cord using Doppler sonography. This method allows you to assess the blood flow in the umbilical vessels. A decrease in the speed of blood flow in certain areas of the umbilical cord is one of the signs that may indicate the presence of a knot.
In the event that an ultrasound during pregnancy reveals the presence of umbilical cord nodes, the expectant mother will be under close medical observation going forward. During the final stages of pregnancy, medical professionals will undoubtedly evaluate the fetus’s health. Cardiotocography is frequently used for this. Using this diagnostic test, you can measure the baby’s motor activity and find out its heart rate. A pregnant woman can keep an eye on her unborn child’s activities as well. She usually feels the baby in her belly fairly well by the second half of her pregnancy.
A pregnant woman should absolutely notify her obstetrician-gynecologist if she observes that her unborn child’s motor activity has changed suddenly.
Consequences for the child
It is impossible to imagine the full development of a baby without an umbilical cord. With the help of this unique organ, which appears in the female body only during pregnancy, the fetus receives all the nutrients necessary for its growth. A baby in the mother"s womb cannot feed itself. It receives all the necessary proteins, fats and carbohydrates through the blood from its mother. Nutritional substances are supplied through the blood vessels, which are located directly inside the umbilical cord. Through the umbilical vessels, the baby receives oxygen dissolved in the blood. During intrauterine life, the baby"s lungs do not function. The respiratory system will only function fully after the baby is born and takes its first breath. Until this moment, the baby receives dissolved oxygen through the umbilical vascular system – from its mother.
The umbilical cord plays another important role: it is involved in the utilization of metabolites. Through the umbilical vascular system, the fetus "gets rid" of waste chemicals that are unnecessary for its body. Ensuring the functions of the umbilical cord is possible if no anomalies or defects develop in the umbilical cord during pregnancy. The presence of nodes contributes to the fact that the blood vessels located in the umbilical cord are compressed. In this case, the blood supply to the child and the placenta is disrupted. Insufficient oxygen supply to the blood contributes to the fact that the baby develops an extremely dangerous condition – intrauterine hypoxia. It is dangerous because the blood supply to the child"s internal organs is greatly reduced. This leads to a disruption in their functioning.
The risk of the unborn child developing a cardiac condition makes persistent intrauterine hypoxia extremely dangerous. In order to save the fetus’s life in such a dangerous situation, immediate medical attention is needed.
In some cases, the consequences of prolonged intrauterine hypoxia in a baby can only be determined after its birth. Children who encountered this pathology during their intrauterine development may have a lower birth weight, low immunity, and a number of concomitant congenital diseases. In some cases, persistent intrauterine hypoxia can contribute to the development of a number of pathologies of the nervous system. Another possible complication that can develop in the presence of true knots on the umbilical cord is thrombosis of the umbilical cord. Blood flow is significantly reduced in the compressed section of the umbilical cord. Slowing blood flow contributes to the fact that blood platelets (thrombocytes) begin to stick together faster, leading to the formation of blood clots. Full blood flow is impossible through a thrombosed umbilical cord. In such a situation, the child"s body does not receive a sufficient amount of nutrients and oxygen. The more the lumen of the blood vessels of the umbilical cord is closed, the more unfavorable the prognosis for the further course of pregnancy. Unfortunately, in such a situation there is a high risk of termination of pregnancy (and even stillbirth).
Although they are uncommon, genuine umbilical cord knots can be dangerous for an infant’s health. Although most knots do not cause problems, there is a possibility that the knot may tighten and impede blood flow.
Frequent prenatal examinations and monitoring can aid in the early detection of any possible issues. In the event that a knot is discovered, medical professionals can closely monitor the infant’s condition and take necessary action.
Even in situations where there is a genuine umbilical cord knot, a safe delivery can be ensured with early detection and care, so it is crucial for parents to remain informed and have faith in their medical team.
