Umbilical cord compression is a potentially serious condition that affects a baby’s oxygen and blood supply before or during birth. If not diagnosed and properly treated, umbilical cord compression can result in serious consequences, including severe brain damage and stillbirth.

Umbilical cord compression occurs when the umbilical cord connecting the baby to the placenta becomes compressed, reducing oxygen and blood flow to the baby. Compression can occur when the cord wraps around the baby’s neck, becomes compressed between the baby and the uterine wall, or by excessive pressure during labor. Other ways umbilical cord compression can occur include:

• Baby’s incorrect positioning
• Mother’s water breaking too early
• Two or more babies in the womb
• Premature birth
• Excess amniotic fluid
• Abnormally long umbilical cord
• Low birth weight or undersized baby

Umbilical cord compression can also occur if the umbilical cord slips into the birth canal ahead of or alongside the baby or becomes knotted as the baby moves during early pregnancy and has greater mobility within the amniotic fluid.

How Does Umbilical Cord Compression Affect the Baby?

Umbilical cord compression can lead to oxygen deprivation, or hypoxia, which can result in brain injury and developmental delays when restriction lasts too long or is severe. Injuries caused by umbilical cord compression include:

• Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), a form of brain damage due to lack of oxygen that often results in neurological issues.
• Cerebral palsy, a condition negatively affecting muscle tone, movement, and motor skills caused by oxygen deprivation.
• Growth and developmental delays caused by reduced oxygen supply.
• Death before or during delivery in severe cases of prolonged compression.

When properly monitored, doctors can detect signs of umbilical cord compression through abnormalities in the baby’s heart rate.

What Are the Symptoms of Umbilical Cord Compression?

Umbilical cord compression symptoms vary, depending on the conditions and which stage of delivery they occur. Symptoms typically include fetal heart rate irregularities or abnormal patterns, decreased movement, and meconium – the baby’s first stool – in the amniotic fluid.

Most cases of umbilical cord compression are resolved with timely medical intervention. However, when physicians and other healthcare professionals fail to recognize or treat the condition, your baby can suffer serious birth injuries and lifelong conditions.

How Does Medical Malpractice Contribute to Umbilical Cord Compression?

Medical malpractice can exacerbate umbilical cord compression when medical professionals fail to identify warning signs, provide treatment, or improperly perform certain delivery procedures, such as:

• Delayed or inadequate fetal heart rate monitoring for distress.
• Improper use of forceps or vacuum extractors.
• Delayed or failed interventions, such as emergency C-sections.
• Improper handling or excessive force during delivery.
• Premature breaking of the mother’s water before the baby’s head is engaged.
• Use of a balloon catheter or improper insertion of an intrauterine pressure catheter.
• Introducing fluid to alter cord position.
• Misplacement of internal scalp electrode.

Proper monitoring and timely intervention can prevent or eliminate umbilical cord compression and protect the baby from serious birth injuries or death.

How Is Umbilical Cord Compression Treated?

Detection of umbilical cord compression requires immediate and proper treatment to ensure both the mother and baby’s safety, such as:

• Administering oxygen to the mother to improve and enhance oxygen to the baby.
• Repositioning the mother to shift the uterus or baby and relieve pressure on the umbilical cord.
• Administering contraction-slowing medication to reduce their intensity, provide more space for the baby, and reduce cord compression.
• Adding sterile fluid to increase amniotic fluid to cushion or reposition the umbilical cord.
• Performing an emergency C-section if other measures do not resolve the compression or the baby’s condition worsens.

At the Law Offices of Dr. Michael M. Wilson, M.D., J.D. & Associates, the Washington, D.C. umbilical cord compression lawyers are uniquely qualified and experienced in the legal and medical professions. We have comprehensive knowledge regarding the procedures medical professionals should employ to provide a safe delivery for both mother and baby and how negligent actions can lead to serious consequences.

The Washington, D.C. Umbilical Cord Compression Lawyers at the Law Offices of Dr. Michael M. Wilson, M.D., J.D. & Associates Help Families

If your baby suffered birth injuries, the skilled Washington, D.C. umbilical cord compression lawyers at the Law Offices of Dr. Michael M. Wilson, M.D., J.D. & Associates can help. Call today at 202-223-4488 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Located in Washington, D.C., we serve clients in the surrounding areas, including Northern Virginia and Maryland.