Deliver before due dates & true knot question

[Waiting4Lili]

Just wondering to anyone who already has given birth did you deliver before your due date or after? I really want to deliver before b/c I am sooooooo worried about the umbilical cord. I came into contact with a friend on facebook and he told me how his wife and him lost their baby girl at 37 weeks b/c of a true knot and now I'm starting to panic. He didn't realize how much anxiety I have over this and I think he was just proud to talk about his little girl.. I was crying for the longest time after thats such a scary thought to think about. Anyways, thanks..

[helena12345]

Thanks guys- I will try and remain strong!! I just have so many questions that I prob won't get the answers to- what keeps me going is knowing he prob never suffered and he was such a stunner- gorgeous like my husband- and one day when were strong enough, our son will help us with a brother or sister, xx

[JoyRenee]

I just read your other comment above- way to go not having an abortion! I'm SO proud of you!!! What a lucky baby (and what a lucky momma you are)! Preterm birth is also dangerous so I wouldn't try any dangerous induction techniques. Just be honest with your doctor and count those fetal movements.

[JoyRenee]

These are normal feelings. Congratulations- you are already a mother! You will forever worry about your child, long before they are even born.

This is what I know about cord accidents- most cord accidents that result in the death in an infant are the result of a genetic issue or with a 2-vessel or 1-vessel cord. A knot or having the cord wrap around baby's neck is not going to suffocate them. They do not get their oxygen via their mouth (they don't breathe yet!). And the umbilical cord has this jelly-like substance that helps to keep it from being constricted. It is BEYOND RARE for the cord to become so constricted that it results in malnourishment and/or suffocation of an infant.

I think 2 of my 3 daughters had the cord around their necks when born. This is VERY common and normal. But God created the umbilical cord to be very special and to prevent babies from dying because they will get knots and will wrap around baby's neck or arms/legs.

I wouldn't worry about it. Just because it happened to someone you know doesn't mean it will happen to you. Just count your fetal movements (that is why they want you to) and be very aware of your little one.

[ammanda]

I Know how your feeling, I soent my entire pregnancy worrying about everything! it drove me nuts and i had alot of sleepless nights. the guy I was with, my sons father, already lost his first child at birth, so it made the worry alot stronger.  I was in and out our L&D all the time, with nothing.   and calling them, and friends and asking everyone I knew that had babies questions.  it drove me nuts. it was so stressful!  It was my first pregnancy, and I wanted my son soo bad.  I ended up giving birth to a beautiful healthy baby boy on May 11th! he is now 3 months old and sooo strong and healthy.  He was four days late, which i agree, was so worryisome, when my due date hit and I didnt even feel anything I was so discouraged.  Hang in there hun! everything will be okay. youll be holding your lil ones soon, and dont be affraid to call the hospital or go in for ANYTHING!!!  thats what  they are they there for.  If you ever need to talk to someone or have a quetion, im here and ill try my best to give you the answer your looking forward.  Im a very honest person!  just message me!  best wishes.

[flaka1211]

Hello

Im a mother of 5 kids and my first pregnancy i gave birth when i was only 34 weeks yes it was a premature baby God has his ways sweety u shoud see my son now he is gonna b 19 yrs old and is 6 feet 2 inches grew to b a handsome boy.. i had the same situation with my other pregnancys and only one was delivered at 42 weeks so sweety have lots of faith in God and b positive always positive cause u know we transmit all the sadness to our unborn child... God willing u will have a wonderfull birth and a healthy baby.. my best wishes to u and ur fam..

God Bless always! =)

[helena12345]

Let me tell u my story:

I was 24 weeks exactly last week today 26.07.2010 and at 9.50pm, felt horrible pains, my 1st pregnancy but still i new they were labour pains, we got rushed to hospital, were my waters had expanded my cervix to 10cm.(due to them bursting, like a balloon through my cervix).. my waters broke at 2.05am.. thats when i thought all was well, they continued with the fluid to help slow down my contractions and i went down to 4cm dilated.. great i didnt have one until 3.10am.. then sadly my beautiful baby boy was born 4.10am still born, with a true knot in his umbical cord, he was beautiful and handsome, but he was only 1lb 8oz.
Im sorry to share my horrible experience, but now blame my self as i never enjoyed my pregnancy, due to worrying... the worst part is going to the docs a few days ago, and when i told her, she looked at her screen and said "oh yes, its been recorded that u had concern about his pregnancy"!!!!!!!! i wanted to scream and ask.. WHY DID U NOT MONITIR ME THEN??? im so angry and sad, and its still very raw.. but please be mindful my situation was a rare one, and my son was too good for this world, and obviously in a better place.. please enjoy ur baby x x x x

[LosingMyMindInGA]

It's completely natural to have anxiety about the health and safety of your baby. Believe me after a stillborn and 2 m/c's I know all too well what it's like, but I also have 4 beautiful kids and another on the way.  

Your doctor will be able to help you with your fears and concerns.  Just keep in mind that in order to have a healthy baby, s/he needs to stay put until the time is right.  

If you need someone to talk to, please feel free to PM me.

[Waiting4Lili]

We were just talking about kids and then he told me he lost his daughter and I asked how so he told me..Then he showed me a picture of his wife him and the baby I wish I never looked because I keep having nightmares about it and as soon as I wake up I think about it. Poor little baby that was so sad. I have a drs appointment today I'm going to tell her about how I feel today.I have been paranoid through this whole pregnancy b/c I had a miscarriage once but really early in my pregnancy. I have gone to the ER already a bunch of times. I wish I could relax but it seems impossible and the father isn't really supportive so I just have my friends to talk to who just think I'm being paranoid about everything. A lot of people including my family tried to force me into get a a abortion but I wouldn't and I just want this baby to be healthy I feel lucky to have made it this far now I'm afraid for something to go wrong but I guess I can't control life and I just have to let things happen but my anxiety between 1-10 is like 100 :(. I really hope my water breaks before my due date at least I will feel like she's safe here with me.

[LosingMyMindInGA]

Yes, sometimes cord accidents DO happen, but death of the baby as a result isn't extremely common.  If you are worried about somethign along those lines, talk to your  doctor.  S/He can do an ultrasound to see of there are any knots in the cord or if it's looped around the neck.  More often than not a baby may have a loose knot or have the cord wrapped, but the doctors are able to catch it and prevent any serious problems.  

I am on my 8th pregnancy.  2 of them ended in miscarriage in the first trimester.  Of the other 5 that I have delivered so far.  One of them was a stillbirth due to a cord accident at 18 weeks.  Believe me,  I know just how EASY it is to be paranoid until you are holding your child.  BUT it is absolutely BEST For baby to allow him/her to remain inside as long as necessary.  Otherwise, by deliverying early you may (or may not) prevent a cord accident but you run a much higher risk of respiratory problems among other things.  

Statistically speaking here is some stuff that I have found:
"Only one out of 100 deliveries involve true knots, and out of these only one in 20 have a life-threatening constriction. The arithmetic on this means only one in 2,000 deliveries will manifest this complication."
Most umbilical cord knots are found earlier in the pregnancy when the baby has more room to move around...in which case, the pregnancy will be monitored to ensure the baby is receivin the proper amount of nutrients

"
fetal umbilical cord problems are not something for a pregnant woman to worry too much about unless her doctor is concerned. Umbilical cord accidents in the fetus are rare and as long as proper prenatal care is given, doctors can intervene in any potential umbilical cord problems during labor



fetal umbilical cord problems are not something for a pregnant woman to worry too much about unless her doctor is concerned. Umbilical cord accidents in the fetus are rare and as long as proper prenatal care is given, doctors can intervene in any potential umbilical cord problems during labor

Umbilical cord knots and loops tend to happen more often when a longer cord is present.  

While in many pregnancies, a nuchal loop or knot may occure, it's rare that it alone causes stillbirth.  

My 1st was born via emergency c-section (non-cord related)
My 2nd was the stillbirth at 38 weeks (normal vaginal birth)
My 3rd: was born at exactly 29 wks (normal vaginal birth)
My 4th was born at 38 wks (normal vaginal birth)
My 5th was born on his due date (induction)

I was born with the umbilical cord around my neck TWICE and obviously I survived.  This was back in the seventies BEFORE they had the technology they do now.  

It is frightening hearing stories about women losing their babies and fortunately this is the exception not the rule.  You're chances of having a normal healthy baby at term are MUCH higher than for something to go wrong.

It would be best if you discussed your fears with your doctor, as I said, s/he is likely to be inclined to do an ultrasound to give you some peace of mind.

For some people, talking about the loss of a child is a means of grieving and coping.  They dont' typically take into consideration the fact that they are talking to a pregnant woman and can raise her anxiety level.  

I'd like to reiterate that it is very important for your baby to stay in until s/he is ready to come out.  So long as there are no other complicating factors that would require an earlier delivery.  Please talk with your doctor.

[Limonada]

Both of my sons were late - delivered at 41 weeks by induction (I was induced because I was late).  Risk to mother and baby increases once you're  past 42 weeks which is why doctors will induce by then if the baby hasn't decided to come on his/her own by then....and they're confident that dates are correct.  From what I understand, umbilical cord "accidents" are rare.

[cocacolapanda]

My first was exactly 2 weeks late and he was/is perfectly healthy!  Having issues like "true knot" are not common, and if I was that friend I would have waited until you were no longer pregnant to mention that unless you asked because hearing stories like that will scare you and cause you to freak out.  

Your chances of loosing your baby after the first trimester are VERY slim.  Yes, it can happen but your chances are that you will have a healthy baby!

[Lizzy_anne24]

Hi
unfortunately sometimes things happen that don't make sense and as expectant mums we get scared it could happen to us as well. Has ur dr said he is worried? Tell him ur concerns
to answer ur question my first was 38.5 weeks via csection and my second my a vbac atv37.5 weeks with no complications. Good luck