Umbilical Cord Complications

Question: What does a thin umbilical cord indicate? I just gave birth to my first child on 4/13/06 and I heard the comment made in the delivery room and can see how thin the stump is on my newborn. My baby seems perfectly healthy and no one has told me anything differently. I did have diet-controlled GD, borderline high BP and am overweight, but had a rather complication-free pregnancy. I am curious as to what a thin umbilical cord could mean. Thank you.

Answer: It could have been a number of things, lack of calcium could be one big thing.Also if your feeling funny or think yout young one is having troubles go to the DR. as soon as possiable you don't want to make things worse if there was something wrong.Keep an eye on color as well they should look alittle pink pale if ya know what I mean.Congrats. and don't worry to much. If the DR. has not said anything then chances are nothing is wrong. Enjoy that new young One!

Question: umbilical cord problems. What causes the umbilical cord to only have 2 ventricals? what kind of complications can happen when your unborn child has only 2 ventricles in his/her cord before birth?

Answer: You should be fine- read this article, it explains why: http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/an…

Question: Did you have a midgut herniation to the umbilical cord early in pregancy? I am 9 weeks and had an ultra sound yesterday. The dr found this hernia and now I am terrified that something might be wrong even though she told me not to worry about it. How can I not worry? This is my 3rd child and I nevre had any complications with the other two. If you were diagnosed w/this, did you notice anything different with the symptoms of pregancy?

Answer: Yes.

Question: Has anyone else had a 2 vessel umbilical cord in pregnancy? My OB says not to worry too much and that there are usually no complications. The baby is growing well so far. I'm 24 weeks. He wants to get a better look at the kidneys and heart because the tech couldn't see them well at last ultrasound (baby position). He doesn't seem overly concerned at this point, but it does make me worry.

Answer: Listen to your ob, and if you dont trust him get a new one. Now that they no this they will be keeping an eye on you and your baby is doing well

Question: Ultrasound to see the umbilical cord? My OB is sending me for another ultrasound to look at the baby's umbilical cord... they didn't get a good enough picture of it the first time I went... any one out there know anything about a two vessel umbilical cord as oppose to a 3 vessel and what some complications could be?? just looking for some life experience stories.

Answer: My husband's cousin was pregnant with a little boy who had a two vessel cord, and he is completely healthy! She had to have several extra ultrasounds to check on his growth but everything was totally fine. The fact that your doctor is monitoring it so closely is a great sign - on the off chance that anything is wrong or that your baby's health is compromised, it will be detected early so that your baby will be ok. Sorry I don't have more personal experience to offer; I just remember my husband's cousin was scared to death that her baby boy was going to have problems but they watched him so closely and he is now a happy, adorable 9 mo. old! Best wishes to you!

Question: fetus umbilical cord knots/ or wrapped around the neck ? I know that this is usually a complication that happens during birth. But it can also cause problems during pregnancy. I know this is very common is it during pregnancy but how often does it actually causes the baby to die?

Answer: My son's cord was wrapped around his neck and the cord had 2 tight knots in it. But he was fine. I have heard of it happening many times but that the baby is usually fine. Jessa, I am so sorry for your loss. Best of Luck in conceiving.

Question: I am first time pregnant (39 weeks) and umbilical cord is twice around babys neck. Is natural birth advisable? My doctor has told me that we need to avoid going into labour if the cord is still around the babys neck because it would be risky for the baby girl if the cord got tightened when the contractions take place. I have also the complication of having RH negative blood factor. I am due in 1 to 1.5 weeks max. Can I still expect for natural birth to be possible? What is your perspective?

Answer: Natural birth would be impossible if the cord is wrapped around the baby's neck. It would be too risky and could result in a fatality. Listen to your OB/GYN. He seems to know what he is talking about. Good Luck

Question: Does anyone know about two vessel umbilical cords in pregnancy? The other day at my ultrasound to see the sex of the baby the nurse said that there was a two vessel umbilical cord, they didn't really have much information on it, I just wanted to know if there were any other women who have that or have had that during their pregnancy and if there were any complications or any problems known from that??

Answer: Usually the cord has three vessels. If there is two your baby may not be getting enough nutrition. They can pick that up at your weekly visits but normally they are fine. They may induce you early (38weeks) if baby does not seem to be growing at the right rate. Every baby ive seen with only two vessels has had no problems at all. And dont always trust theose ultrasounds. Ive had pleanty of women tell me the ultrasound has said that and when ive checked the cord after birth there are THREE vessels!!!

Question: 28 wks pregnant with a cyst where umbilical cord connects to Placenta? I had a 28wk doctors appt w/ an ultrasound today. They said there was a 2 x 1 1/2 cm cyst where the umbilical cord attaches to the placenta. They are sending me to another hospital next week to have another ultrasound done b/c they aren't sure what the significance is. The baby is growing perfect and the heartrate is great. Has anyone ever had this happen to them during a pregnancy? If so, what was the cause and what do they do if anything? Can any complications come from it?

Answer: sorry seems nobody understands some medical words! so we can't help you.. i know it is frustrating not to get answers here!! don't worry

Question: Should I make the doctor look at my son's Umbilical hernia? His belly has a pooch on one side, and he has an obvious umbilical hernia. The doctor did not look at it but said that there are never complications with an umbilical hernia. I've heard different, and it bothers me that she shook it off without even seeing him. (he's displaying alot of the signs of having Intestinal Strangulation -- his umbilical cord stump is hard and frequently unable to recede back or be pushed back into the abdomen, sensitivity in the area, constipation, increased appettite, etc. (My two week old son is eating approximately 4 ounces every two hours, or sometimes 2.5 ounces every hour. Im an infant care specialist, and from my training and experience, this is an awful lot.) He also seems to have trouble passing gas -- he screams an extremely painful sounding cry, unlike any infant cry i've ever heard, and I've heard alot. I really want to take him to the hospital, but the doctor was so sure of herself. Am I just being paranoid, or should I take him in? The doctor i see is the only ped in town-- even if i take him to the ER, she is the doc that would check him. The only Fam. Prac. in town doesnt see children until age 6. Stupid, i know.

Answer: My son had an Umbilical hernia. I could kindly push it in and it would slowly come back out. He didn't have no problems whatsoever with it and did not cry when i touched it. I was scared to death about it and i did take him to the er and they said it was nothing to worry about then i took him to his doctor and same thing. The doctor told me that it usually goes away by the time they are 2 years old but it went away a whole lot sooner. I think if i remember well around 5-6 months. However the doctor said if it did not go away by the time they are 2 they can do surgery to correct it. What is an umbilical hernia? When the fetus is growing and developing during pregnancy, there is a small opening in the abdominal muscles so that the umbilical cord can pass through, connecting the mother to the fetus. After birth, the opening in the abdominal muscles closes as the baby matures. Sometimes, these muscles do not meet and grow together completely, and there is still a small opening present. A loop of intestine can move into the opening between abdominal muscles and cause a hernia. Who is at risk for developing a hernia? Hernias occur more often in babies who have one or more of the following risk factors: a parent or sibling who had a hernia as a baby cystic fibrosis developmental dysplasia of the hip undescended testes abnormalities of the urethra Umbilical hernias occur: in about 10 percent of all babies. more often in African-American babies. more often in girls than in boys. more often in premature babies. Why is a hernia a concern? Occasionally, the loop of intestine that protrudes through a hernia may become stuck, and is no longer reducible. This means that the intestinal loop cannot be gently pushed back into the abdominal cavity. When this happens, that section of intestine may lose its blood supply. A good blood supply is necessary for the intestine to be healthy and function properly. What are the symptoms of a hernia? Hernias usually occur in newborns, but may not be noticeable for several weeks or months after birth. Straining and crying do not cause hernias; however, the increased pressure in the abdomen can make a hernia more noticeable. Inguinal hernias appear as a bulge or swelling in the groin or scrotum. The swelling may be more noticeable when the baby cries, and may get smaller or go away when the baby relaxes. If your physician presses gently on this bulge when the baby is calm and lying down, it will usually get smaller or go back into the abdomen. Umbilical hernias appear as a bulge or swelling in the belly-button area. The swelling may be more noticeable when the baby cries, and may get smaller or go away when the baby relaxes. If your physician presses gently on this bulge when the baby is calm and lying down, it will usually get smaller or go back into the abdomen. If the hernia is not reducible, then the loop of intestine may be caught in the weakened area of abdominal muscle. Symptoms that may be seen when this happens include the following: a full, round abdomen vomiting pain or fussiness redness or discoloration fever The symptoms of a hernia may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Always consult your baby's physician for a diagnosis. How are hernias diagnosed? Hernias can be diagnosed by a physical examination by your baby's physician. Your baby will be examined to determine if the hernia is reducible (can be pushed back into the abdominal cavity) or not. Your baby's physician may order abdominal x-rays or ultrasound to examine the intestine more closely, especially if the hernia is no longer reducible. Treatment for hernias: Specific treatment will be determined by your baby's physician based on: your baby's gestational age, overall health, and medical history the type of hernia whether the hernia is reducible (can be pushed back into the abdominal cavity) or not your baby's tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies your opinion or preference Umbilical hernia: By 1 year of age, many umbilical hernias will have closed on their own without needing surgery. Nearly all umbilical hernias will have closed without surgery by age 5. Placing a coin or strap over the hernia will not fix it. There are many opinions about when a surgical repair of an umbilical hernia is necessary. In general, if the hernia becomes bigger with age, is not reducible, or is still present after 3, your physician may suggest that the hernia be repaired surgically. Always consult your baby's physician to determine what is best for your child. During a hernia operation, your baby will be placed under anesthesia. A small incision is made in the umbilicus (belly button). The loop of intestine is placed back into the abdominal cavity. The muscles are then stitched together. Sometimes a piece of meshed material is used to help strengthen the area where the muscles are repaired. A hernia operation is usually a fairly simple procedure. Otherwise healthy babies who have an umbilical hernia surgically repaired may also be able to go home the same day they have the operation. What is the long-term outlook for this disorder? Once the hernia is closed, either spontaneously or by surgery, it is unlikely that it will reoccur. The chance for reoccurrence of the hernia may be increased if the intestine was damaged. http://uuhsc.utah.edu/healthinfo/pediatr…