A cord around the baby’s neck, medically known as a nuchal cord, is one of the more common findings in pregnancy and often becomes a point of concern for expectant parents. It is usually not something that causes problems, but understandably, it can cause anxiety when it is mentioned during a scan in labour.
A nuchal cord refers to a loop (or sometimes more than one loop) of the umbilical cord that wraps around the baby’s neck. It’s seen in roughly one in three pregnancies and, in most cases, causes no harm to the baby either before or during deliver, The cord itself is long, slippery and designed to move freely with the baby, allowing loops to form around various parts of the body, which is a normal part of the foetal movement and development.
Most babies with a nuchal cord are born completely healthy, with no complications. It is often only discovered during delivery and can usually be gently slipped over the baby’s head as they are born. If the cord is particularly tight or causing concern, your obstetrician can respond quickly and, in rare situations, may clamp and cut the cord before the shoulders are delivered.
If a nuchal cord is identified during pregnancy via a scan, we simply note its presence and continue with routine monitoring. If you plan to deliver in hospital, it typically doesn’t alter your birth plan. In this situation we would strongly recommend the mother at the first signs of labour immediately make their way to the hospital. During labour, your baby’s heart rate will be closely watched for any signs of stress, which is part of standard care in any delivery.
Ultimately, while it may sound alarming, a cord around the neck is often a variation of normal. In our practice, we focus on clean communication and reassurance to ensure parents feel informed and supported throughout. With good monitoring and experienced care, a safe and health delivery in hospital remains the most likely outcome
