Umbilical Cord Compression

Umbilical cord compression occurs when the umbilical cord is compressed or squeezed by some mechanism and may result in decreased oxygen flow to the baby.  Umbilical cord compression causes the baby’s heart slow down – a fetal heart rate pattern that should be detected on the electronic fetal heart monitor. 

If the baby’s heart rate does not return to normal, the medical providers should provide interventions, including giving oxygen to the mother, changing the mother’s position, giving medications to slow the contractions, or possibly performing an amnioinfusion to infuse fluids if the cord compression is due to decreased amniotic fluid.  If the cord compression cannot be relieved, cesarean section may be necessary to deliver the baby before the lack of oxygen results in injury.