29/05/2025
A cord knot during pregnancy, also known as a true knot of the umbilical cord, occurs when the umbilical cord forms an actual knot. This can happen during early pregnancy when the baby moves around in the amniotic sac. Hereโs a breakdown of what you need to know:
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๐น Types of Cord Knots:
1. True Knot:
โข A real knot in the umbilical cord.
โข Can tighten as the baby grows or moves.
2. False Knot:
โข Bulges in the cord caused by blood vessels looping or extra Whartonโs jelly.
โข Harmless and not an actual knot.
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๐น Risks of a True Knot:
โข Most true knots are loose and do not cause problems.
โข A tight knot can restrict blood flow and oxygen to the baby, especially during labor.
โข Rare but associated with increased risk of:
โข Fetal distress
โข Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR)
โข Stillbirth (in severe cases)
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๐น How Common Is It?
โข Occurs in about 1 in 100 pregnancies.
โข Higher risk in:
โข Twins or multiple pregnancies
โข Excessive amniotic fluid (polyhydramnios)
โข Very active fetuses
โข Long umbilical cords
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๐น Detection and Monitoring:
โข Hard to detect with regular ultrasounds.
โข May be suspected with:
โข Decreased fetal movements
โข Abnormal heart rate patterns on a monitor
โข Doppler ultrasound or 3D/4D imaging might help in some cases.
โข Often only diagnosed during delivery.
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๐น Management:
โข If a true knot is suspected, doctors may:
โข Closely monitor fetal movement and heart rate.
โข Recommend earlier delivery if thereโs concern.
โข During labor, continuous fetal monitoring is used to detect distress early.
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๐น What You Can Do:
โข Monitor your babyโs movements โ report any sudden decrease to your healthcare provider.
โข Keep up with regular prenatal appointments.
โข Trust your instincts โ if something feels off, call your doctor or midwife.
