"true knot"

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

How many times in how many years have you seen a baby with a "true knot" in its umbilical cord? Did it cause any complications during labor/delivery? Did the baby have any complications? Was the knot detected before delivery and if so did they do a c-section based on that alone?

Specializes in L&D.

I've seen many in my 45 years in OB. They rarely cause a problem. Picture a fire hose: it's limp and floppy until they run water thru it. Then the pressure of the water makes it stiff and difficult to bend. So is the cord with blood pumping thru it firm and difficult to tie tightly. Wharton's jelly and coiling of the vessels adds more protection against compression from a knot. Usually when there is a problem from a knot, the cord is thin and without much padding.

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My daughter was born with a triple true knot, undetected before delivery. The cord was also wrapped around her neck. She was born via c-section for unrelated reasons. My OB was like, "oh hey, look at that" like it was something he sees everyday! She was a little small but otherwise perfectly healthy.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Saw quite a few in my career. Only a couple in which there was fetal demise. Saw one a triple knot, and baby was fine. But the knots were LOOSE thank goodness. Saw a LOT of variable decels and knew "something" was up, but no idea what it was. In one delivery the cord was so long, it hit the floor when the baby came out. That was a bit freaky!

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So my last baby (#4) was born when I was 30, it was a great pregnancy until a couple weeks before my due date, I had swollen feet and borderline high blood pressure (130s-140s systolic) I was monitored and sent home then finally induced a few days early. It was also the easiest labor then during delivery shortly after I began pushing I saw my OB face get serious and she said I need you to push this baby out. I took her seriously and got him out in 2 or 3 more pushes. I distinctly remember my OB exclaiming about the length of cord then she and all the nurses stood and marveled at the "true knot" in my cord. 3 years later he was diagnosed with encephalopathy and autism. I do believe the knot caused the autism. I am still so grateful that he was born alive, he is a joy (and a challenge sometimes).

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Specializes in School Nurse. Having conversations with littles..

My oldest had 2 tight knots. Did not know it until he was born, thankfully with no complications. Praise God- Today is his 30th birthday :)

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