What is a prolapsed umbilical cord?
A prolapsed umbilical cord means that a baby’s umbilical cord slips out through the opening cervix and down into the birth canal during labour, before the baby has left the womb. This is an emergency situation because the umbilical cord contains arteries that take blood from the placenta to the baby, carrying oxygen and nutrients. As the cord slips out through the birth canal, there’s a risk the baby’s head or body will follow it, compressing the umbilical cord and cutting off the blood supply to the baby. Even if the baby stays in the womb, it’s risky because the baby’s head is usually pressed down against the cervix, compressing the umbilical cord as it leaves the womb.
