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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Cord around babies neck at 39 weeks

98 replies

MissDolly95 · 14/06/2024 09:31

I've been having growth scans due to my history. Had a stillbirth with twins in 2015, then 4 early miscarriages in the space of 14 months.

I then went on to have my daughter who is now 2 and her pregnancy was a text box dream. No issues at all. I was induced at 38 weeks due to history.

I'm now 39 weeks pregnant with my second daughter, again text box and she's been a dream. Had my last scan yesterday and they saw the cord round her neck, said no concern. A few hours later I get a call and a consultant has reviewed the scan and wanted me to go to triage to speak to the doctor to get the baby out. So in my head I instantly thought I was about to have the baby last night. So set myself up it was going to be a section.

We get there at 5pm, get monitored, baby met all criteria on the monitor. We then waited 5 hours in the corridor for the doctor. Finally see the doctor who had consent forms and was ready to admit me for a section. So I said is this happening tonight and she said no, she'd just admit me and if a slot came up I'd be in it but could be waiting till Saturday. So I was a bit taken a back since it was so "urgent"

Asked how urgent it was before I just signed consent forms and they said "semi emergency" I then asked to speak to her boss who literally couldn't or cared less. I was begging for them to just advise me so I could make a choice. It's major surgery to be signing up for. They didn't give any urgency for me to sign on the dotted line there and then.

I then declined and come home and they said I could ring back this morning with a decision. Rang them this morning and I've said I'd like to speak to the day doctor to get some more clarity really. I requested an induction at my 20 week consultant appointment and I was refused and that is really angering me because I could of had this all booked and not been left in the stress and anxiety I'm now in.

Have the worst worst feeling I've made the wrong choice and now my baby is going to die and it'll be my fault

OP posts:
SockQueen · 14/06/2024 10:41

MissDolly95 · 14/06/2024 10:35

Well update to the this. The doctor rang me and said there is no reasons to indicate why I should have a section unless I wanted one and they'd give me. Said the baby has beautiful growth, beautiful monitoring yesterday. She's now given me an induction date and offered me a sweep today.

So thanks for the people saying "you'll die"!! People come here for advise and reassurance, remember that unless you're a doctor!

Glad they have got back to you and you have a plan. Good luck for your induction!

pinkroseleaf · 14/06/2024 10:42

I would still want to speak to the consultant who said that you needed a c-section. I think they at least owe you an explanation as to why that was said and why they are now backtracking. How can they expect you to make an informed decision when you are getting such conflicting opinions.

Gilo2024 · 14/06/2024 11:00

My DS cord was around his neck, picked up only in established labour (we had monitoring a day or so before due to reduced movement but nothing picked up then). Was prepped for an emergency C-section but was delivered naturally in the end. Dr's weren't too concerned, it was dependant on the length of labour. However, always take Dr/midwife advice. Good luck with your delivery.

IDontFeelItAnymore · 14/06/2024 11:03

MissDolly95 · 14/06/2024 10:35

Well update to the this. The doctor rang me and said there is no reasons to indicate why I should have a section unless I wanted one and they'd give me. Said the baby has beautiful growth, beautiful monitoring yesterday. She's now given me an induction date and offered me a sweep today.

So thanks for the people saying "you'll die"!! People come here for advise and reassurance, remember that unless you're a doctor!

Literally nobody said you'll die.

wheresthebigcarrot · 14/06/2024 11:20

No one said you'll die. People said if a doctor says have a c section, then they are probably saying it for the sake of your babies health.

Original poster
MissDolly95 · 14/06/2024 11:29

There was a comment saying me and my baby could die. I think it's now been taken away

OP posts:
Original poster
MissDolly95 · 14/06/2024 11:30

Migil · 14/06/2024 10:36

Also from personal experience, will take csection over induction any day.

I was induced with my daughter and I had a lovely experience. I think it's all down to personal experience with inductions and sections ect

OP posts:
Original poster
MissDolly95 · 14/06/2024 11:33

pinkroseleaf · 14/06/2024 10:42

I would still want to speak to the consultant who said that you needed a c-section. I think they at least owe you an explanation as to why that was said and why they are now backtracking. How can they expect you to make an informed decision when you are getting such conflicting opinions.

It wasn't the consultant who said I needed a c section, the night doctor just offered me it. The day doctor has now said she's gone over my case and said there is no urgency unless I wanted it

OP posts:
Coastallife36385 · 14/06/2024 11:40

One of my children was born vaginally with a cord around their neck. No complications.
Unfortunately people on here have jumped on giving you their unqualified medical advice, which isn’t helpful at all.
Good luck with your birth!

Demelzatheredhaired · 14/06/2024 11:40

Lots of babies are born with the cord around their neck. It isn’t automatically a problem that would make vaginal birth dangerous. The cord is thick and rubbery and doesn’t just collapse under a little bit of pressure. My child was born with the cord around their neck. All it meant in our case was that the midwives worked to help me push him out more quickly than they might have otherwise.

Dyra · 14/06/2024 11:43

Sounds like by "semi emergency" you'd be considered a Category 3 C-section.

I think with your particular history (sorry for your losses) they are erring on the side of caution. A nuchal cord (cord wrapped at least once around the neck) can be a problem during labour, as others in this thread have experienced. But as @SockQueen says it is not guaranteed. I think that rather than subject you to the worry of potential decelerations, and having more of an emergency C-section, to just remove all stress, and just have a calm virtually elective C-section.

IDontFeelItAnymore · 14/06/2024 11:43

Coastallife36385 · 14/06/2024 11:40

One of my children was born vaginally with a cord around their neck. No complications.
Unfortunately people on here have jumped on giving you their unqualified medical advice, which isn’t helpful at all.
Good luck with your birth!

Your good experience doesn't make your post any more helpful or right though.

I personally would have signed the form there and then, why invite problems where there could easily be none.

PeppyTealDuck · 14/06/2024 11:47

IDontFeelItAnymore · 14/06/2024 11:43

Your good experience doesn't make your post any more helpful or right though.

I personally would have signed the form there and then, why invite problems where there could easily be none.

Show quote history

I am not giving any advice though. The doctors are qualified to do that.

Dyra · 14/06/2024 11:50

Good for you @IDontFeelItAnymore . But it doesn't make you more any more helpful or right either.

Just because it's not a decision you would make, doesn't mean it's wrong.

IDontFeelItAnymore · 14/06/2024 11:52

I dunno. I think rolling the dice like that is unnecessary.

ParentsTrapped · 14/06/2024 12:02

But the cord could unwind between now and labour starting naturally? Unless it’s really tangled and you can see that?

Both my kids were born with cords round their necks in easy straightforward vaginal births - both times just unlooped it when the baby was out. It’s really very common and not a death sentence.

Saying that, you’ve obviously had a lot of trauma previously and I think if I were you and had the slightest concern I’d just go for c section asap.

Original poster
MissDolly95 · 14/06/2024 12:47

Dyra · 14/06/2024 11:43

Sounds like by "semi emergency" you'd be considered a Category 3 C-section.

I think with your particular history (sorry for your losses) they are erring on the side of caution. A nuchal cord (cord wrapped at least once around the neck) can be a problem during labour, as others in this thread have experienced. But as @SockQueen says it is not guaranteed. I think that rather than subject you to the worry of potential decelerations, and having more of an emergency C-section, to just remove all stress, and just have a calm virtually elective C-section.

They've ruled out elective. They've said they are booked for 3 weeks and I wouldn't be an elective. It would be as an when. Could of been today, tomorrow, Sunday. So that's why I didn't agree as I'm not getting the level of urgency and they said last night they are happy with the monitoring yesterday, babies size in the scan ect. So based on that I wasn't willing to grab the pen and sign as they weren't standing there saying this is an urgent emergency

OP posts:
Original poster
MissDolly95 · 14/06/2024 12:49

ParentsTrapped · 14/06/2024 12:02

But the cord could unwind between now and labour starting naturally? Unless it’s really tangled and you can see that?

Both my kids were born with cords round their necks in easy straightforward vaginal births - both times just unlooped it when the baby was out. It’s really very common and not a death sentence.

Saying that, you’ve obviously had a lot of trauma previously and I think if I were you and had the slightest concern I’d just go for c section asap.

That's what the doctor said to me this morning. She said the cord being round the neck could of just been yesterday and then today it might it be around the neck any longer. Also said this isn't an uncommon problem. It happens a lot more than people think or would know. Just so happens I had a scan yesterday where as people at 39 weeks wouldn't so wouldn't be any of the wiser

OP posts:
Original poster
MissDolly95 · 14/06/2024 12:51

IDontFeelItAnymore · 14/06/2024 10:21

You might not want a section @MissDolly95 but...you understand your baby could die? Labour and birth doesn't often go how we want unfortunately.

To quote this! Really not needed. If the baby could die then it would of been me in theatre last night and a baby today. The doctors didn't say that. I even asked and they didn't say death

OP posts:
annabofana · 14/06/2024 12:57

I'm also not really understanding.

You're not agreeing because they have said it's not an emergency, it's a semi emergency?

And the fact that it could be "today, tomorrow, or Sunday?"

I'm not sure why you are so against a c section, just because of their lack of urgency. It sounds like they are trying to give you the best possible chance of a good outcome due to your very sad history.

If it were me, I would get myself prepared for an emergency section and would feel more relaxed knowing that I could be called any day now.

However, if you've spoken to your doctor who is happy for you labour naturally, and you feel comfortable doing that, then that's fine.

As previous posters have said, cord round the neck isn't always a major problem, is common, and often causes no issues.

I just feel you could have saved yourself a lot of stress by agreeing the section.

However, I can understand that this is a highly emotional time for you, and that we only know a snapshot of the situation.

Hospital care can be very frustrating and overwhelming and continuity of care is often very bad, so I am glad you are now back under the care of your original doctor, are on the same page, and have a plan in place.

Best of luck with your new little one - not long to wait now Smile

Farthingale · 14/06/2024 13:00

kiwiane · 14/06/2024 09:41

With your history I would consent and go back in to the hospital to wait for a C-section; they will put emergencies first - your risk is lower.

I'd do that. My second was a planned section and I was back home in 48 hours.

newmenewday · 14/06/2024 13:04

The thing a lot of people don't realise is that a c section isn't necessarily without risk either! If the doctors have looked over the notes and decided it's not necessary then the OP is fine to wait for induction if that's what she prefers

IDontFeelItAnymore · 14/06/2024 13:08

Well sorry if you don't like it @MissDolly95 but I would not be fucking about with my baby's health. I mean...are you really ok with your baby's birth being a semi emergency?

I cannot understand why you would choose to roll the dice when there's a guaranteed safer way for your child to enter this world.

Babies do die of this; my friends son did and he should be 15 now. I get that you don't want a section, I didn't want numerous inductions and forceps births but I wanted safe babies in my arms more.

Original poster
MissDolly95 · 14/06/2024 13:28

newmenewday · 14/06/2024 13:04

The thing a lot of people don't realise is that a c section isn't necessarily without risk either! If the doctors have looked over the notes and decided it's not necessary then the OP is fine to wait for induction if that's what she prefers

Thank you. If they said I NEEDED a c section then I would of done it there and then. But when I asked they said it's not needed but you can. I was begging them to tell me and they weren't urgent about it so I felt personally I couldn't rush into a choice with no alarming facts there telling me it was a do or die situation. I even asked again today and they said they are more than happy for me to have a vaginal birth

OP posts:
Original poster
MissDolly95 · 14/06/2024 13:29

IDontFeelItAnymore · 14/06/2024 13:08

Well sorry if you don't like it @MissDolly95 but I would not be fucking about with my baby's health. I mean...are you really ok with your baby's birth being a semi emergency?

I cannot understand why you would choose to roll the dice when there's a guaranteed safer way for your child to enter this world.

Babies do die of this; my friends son did and he should be 15 now. I get that you don't want a section, I didn't want numerous inductions and forceps births but I wanted safe babies in my arms more.

If that was the case I would of been wheeled down and had a baby there and then. That wasn't their plan. It's not about wanting or not wanting a section it was about the level of urgency and they weren't giving that to me to be able to make a choice. If they said my baby needed out now I would of signed quicker than anything

OP posts:
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