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The umbilical cord provides essential nutrients to an unborn baby. Pressure on the cord during delivery can threaten a baby's life.

A prolapsed cord is a rare complication of childbirth in which the umbilical cord comes out of the birth canal before or with the baby. Normally, the baby comes out first, and the umbilical cord follows.

When the cord is in the birth canal at the same time as the baby's body, the cord may get compressed and cut off the baby's blood supply, according to UpToDate.

If the problem is obvious (overt prolapse), immediate delivery, usually by cesarean section, is done to prevent injury to the baby. A doctor or nurse may hold the baby off the cord until surgery begins so that the blood supply isn't cut off.

A prolapsed cord that isn't obvious is called occult prolapse. Often doctors will recognize occult prolapse by an abnormal pattern in the baby's heart rate. Changing the mother's position to relieve pressure on the cord may correct the problem. If not, a cesarean section is needed.

Reviewed 5/5/2025