Umbilical Cord Prolapse

Question 1

What factors are associated with a higher chance of cord prolapse?

Answer 1

• Clinicians need to be aware of several clinical factors associated with umbilical cord prolapse.

Question 2

Can cord presentation be detected antenatally?

Answer 2

• Routine ultrasound examination is not sufficiently sensitive or specific for identification of cord
  presentation antenatally and should not be performed to predict increased probability of cord prolapse,
  unless in the context of a research setting.
• Selective ultrasound screening can be considered for women with breech presentation at term who are
  considering vaginal birth.

Question 3

Can cord prolapse or its effects be avoided?

Answer 3

• With transverse, oblique or unstable lie, elective admission to hospital after 37+0 weeks of gestation should be discussed and women in community should be advised to present urgently if there are signs of labour or suspicion of membrane rupture.
• Women with non-cephalic presentations and preterm prelabour rupture of membranes should be recommended inpatient care.
• Artificial membrane rupture should be avoided whenever possible if the presenting part is mobile and/or high.
• If it becomes necessary to rupture the membranes with a high presenting part, this should be performed with arrangements in place for immediate caesarean section.
• Upward pressure on the presenting part should be kept to a minimum in women during vaginal examination and other obstetric interventions in the context of ruptured membranes because of the risk of upward displacement of the presenting part and cord prolapse.
• Rupture of membranes should be avoided if on vaginal examination the cord is felt below presenting part. When cord presentation is diagnosed in established labour, caesarean section is usually indicated.

Question 4

When should cord prolapse be suspected?

Answer 4

• Cord presentation or prolapse should be excluded at every vaginal examination in labour & after spontaneous rupture of membranes if risk factors are present.
• In addition to the national guidance for fetal heart rate monitoring in labour, the fetal heart rate should be auscultated after every vaginal examination in labour and after spontaneous membrane rupture.
• Cord prolapse should be suspected when there is an abnormal fetal heart rate pattern, especially if such
  changes commence soon after membrane rupture, either spontaneous or artificial.
• Speculum and/or digital vaginal examination should be performed when cord prolapse is suspected.
• When spontaneous rupture of membranes occurs, if there is normal fetal heart rate monitoring and there are no risk factors for cord prolapse, then a routine vaginal examination is not indicated.

Question 5

What is the optimal initial management of cord prolapse in a fully equipped hospital setting?

Answer 5

• When cord prolapse is diagnosed before full dilatation, assistance should be immediately called & preparations made for immediate birth in theatre.
• There are insufficient data to evaluate manual replacement of the prolapsed cord above presenting
  part to allow continuation of labour. This practice is not recommended.
• To prevent vasospasm, there should be minimal handling of loops of cord lying outside the vagina.
• To prevent cord compression, it is recommended that the presenting part be elevated either manually or by filling the urinary bladder.
• Cord compression can be further reduced by mother adopting the knee–chest or left lateral (preferably with head down and pillow under the left hip) position.
• Tocolysis can be considered while preparing for CS if there are persistent fetal heart rate abnormalities after attempts to prevent compression mechanically, particularly when birth is likely to be delayed.
• Although measures described above are potentially useful during preparation for birth, they must not result in unnecessary delay.

Question 6

What is the optimal mode of birth with cord prolapse?

Answer 6

• Caesarean section is ecommended mode of delivery in cases of cord prolapse when vaginal birth is not imminent in order to prevent hypoxic acidosis.
• A category 1 caesarean section should be performed with aim of achieving birth within 30 minutes or less if cord prolapse is associated with a suspicious or pathological fetal heart rate pattern but without compromising maternal safety.
• Category 2 caesarean birth can be considered for women in whom fetal heart rate pattern is normal, but continuous assessment of fetal heart trace is essential. If CTG becomes abnormal, re-categorisation to category 1 birth should immediately be considered.
• Discussion with the anaesthetist should take place to decide on the appropriate form of anaesthesia. Regional anaesthesia can be considered in consultation with an experienced anaesthetist.
• Verbal consent is satisfactory for category 1 caesarean section.
• Vaginal birth, in most cases operative, can be attempted at full dilatation if it is anticipated that birth
  would be accomplished quickly and safely, using standard techniques and taking care to avoid
  impingement of the cord when possible.
• Breech extraction is appropriate under some circumstances, for example, after internal podalic version for a second twin.
• A practitioner competent in the resuscitation of the newborn should attend all births that follow cord prolapse.
• Paired cord blood samples should be taken for pH and base excess measurement.

Question 7

What is the optimal management in community settings?

Answer 7

• Midwives should assess the risk of cord prolapse for women requesting home birth or birth in centres without facilities for immediate caesarean section and at start of labour in the community.
• Women with known cord prolapse should be advised by telephone to assume the knee–chest face-down
  position while waiting for hospital transfer.
• During emergency ambulance transfer, the knee–chest position is potentially unsafe and exaggerated Sims position (left lateral with pillow under hip) should be used.
• All women with cord prolapse should be advised to be transferred to the nearest consultant-led unit for birth, unless an immediate vaginal examination by competent professional reveals that a spontaneous vaginal birth is imminent.
• The presenting part should be elevated during transfer either manually or by using bladder distension.It is recommended that community midwives carry a Foley catheter for this purpose and equipment for fluid infusion.
• To prevent vasospasm, there should be minimal handling of loops of cord lying outside the vagina.

Question 8

What is the optimal management of cord prolapse at the threshold of viability?

Answer 8

• Expectant management should be discussed for cord prolapse complicating pregnancies with gestational age at the threshold of viability (23+0 to 24+6 weeks).
• Clinicians should be aware that there is no evidence to support replacement of the cord into the uterus when prolapse occurs at or before the threshold of viability.
• Women should be counselled on both continuation and termination of pregnancy following cord prolapse at the threshold of viability.

Question 9

Should delayed cord clamping (DCC) be used after cord prolapse?

Answer 9

• Delayed cord clamping can be considered if a baby is uncompromised at birth.
• Immediate resuscitation should take priority over DCC when the baby is unwell at birth.

Question 10

Clinical governance

Answer 10

Explanation of events
- An opportunity to discuss the events should be offered to the woman (possibly with her companions in labour) at a mutually convenient time.

Training
- All staff involved in maternity care should receive training in the management of obstetric emergencies
including the management of cord prolapse.
- Training for cord prolapse should be multidisciplinary and include team rehearsals.

Clinical incident reporting
- Clinical incident forms should be submitted for all cases of cord prolapse.

Documentation
- Preformatted sheets should be considered for the recording of clinical events related to cord prolapse.