Snapped cord with 1st 2 deliveries (water births), having DC3 soon, will it happen again?

[Greenleafytrees]

Morning

I am nearly 29 weeks with DC3. My first 2 were born in a pool at hospital. Both times, the cord snapped. With DC1 we were told that the cord was unusually short (she was quite little and didn't have much room to move around as it was back when I still had stomach muscles). MW thought that the cord had snapped due to traction when she was being lifted out of the water. With DD2 I was assured by MW that it wouldn't happen again, but it did. Not sure if cord was short that time, DD2 was much bigger at nearly 9lb. DD2 was born only 15 months ago and I really wish I had asked about cord length at the time but was not anticipating being pg again within 9 months.

Given the history I was recently referred to the consultant MW at the local hospital which specializes in water birth. She said there would be no problem with another pool delivery and she simply recommended that the cord be clamped and cut straight away. It's been playing on my mind though: am worried about what might happen if cord snaps on the way out, before delivery. Does anyone have any experience of snapped cords?

Thanks in anticipation!

Gosh, I had no idea that the cord could actually snap! I'm afraid I don't really have any practical advice except to say that my DS also had an extremely short cord. When he was born they could hardly get him onto my lower abdomen because the cord wouldn't reach.

I can imagine that, if I'd had a water birth then the gravitational expulsion away from my body could well have snapped his cord.

Is it worth considering a non water birth?

You can request to see your hospital notes and it should all be written in there.

Im curious - How did you deliver the placenta?

Can't really help with will it happen again but my cord snapped with my 5th (last) delivery, mw managed to get hold of part of the placenta and I had to push it out! Was harder than pushing the baby out :(.
She didn't say why it happened but it's never happened to me before.

Thanks for the replies. The first time the midwife clamped the cord and gave me the injection to deliver the placenta. It took ages to come out and they had to push down on my uterus and wiggle and pul, it out. I found that incredibly uncomfortable and didn't like it at all. obviously I'd had to come out of the pool but frankly it looked as though a shark had been having his dinner in there by that stage so I didn't need any encouragement. The midwives said that it had all taken longer than usual due to the snapped cord, don't know why.

Last time, the midwife said I could still have a natural third stage as she could see the cord lengthening as soon as I got out of the pool (again they made me get out as were worried about blood loss). I had a natural third stage which I much preferred, it seemed to take less time too, though I bled a lot more afterwards. The only problem that time was that when I noticed the snapped cord and told he midwife she clamped my clitoris along with my end of the cord (shudders at memory). Still, no lasting effects from that thank god.

Thanks for the suggestion re the notes. Am not sure that I fancy paying £50 to get my mitts on them but maybe my MW can look for me.