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Childbirth

Cord snapping?

4 replies

Habbibu · 01/12/2007 16:19

Oddly enough, it was the PlayMobil hospital thread which reminded me to post this. After my daughter was born, the midwives had a shift change, and the one who had delivered the baby explained that the cord had snapped, and we'd both lost a little bit of blood. I was utterly unaware of this, and the whole thing was dealt with very calmly and effectively, so we were both absolutely fine. I'd just never heard of such a thing happening before - always thought the cord was really tough. Anyone know any more about it?

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MarsLady · 01/12/2007 16:26

It's one of those things that happen. Sometimes it snaps because it's short. I haven't seen it myself but I know doulas who have.

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Snaf · 01/12/2007 17:23

Yes, it can happen. It sounds from what you say as if it happened at delivery of the baby, and sometimes that does mean the baby can lose a bit of blood. It's not usually too much of a problem if the baby's bit of the cord is clamped quickly though. You shouldn't have lost blood, in truth, although your placenta might have!

Cords can snap at delivery, often if they're short or 'friable' i.e. a bit dry and not as stretchy as normal. They also sometimes snap during the delivery of the placenta, if the mw (or doctor) is too over-enthusiastic about pulling on it to get the placenta out. That can end in a manual removal of the placenta, so to be avoided if at all possible!

I've never seen it, but I know plenty of mws/students who have.

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NAB3littlemonkeys · 01/12/2007 17:25

My DD's cord snapped when the m/w pulled it trying to get the placenta out. which didn't work and I had to go to theatre....

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Habbibu · 01/12/2007 20:55

Thanks for replies. Quite possibly I didn't lose blood - I know the baby lost about 50-100ml, but she was huge and quite well stocked, and I think they must have clamped her quickly - were splendid people, and it was a great delivery, if a bit long and sore! Placenta was delivered fine - think the cord did snap as the baby was delivered, so maybe it was a bit short or friable.

Anyway, thanks all - had just never got round to asking, and the Lego/Playmobil thread brought it to mind!