women s health issues
Umbilical Cord Prolapse
Occult prolapse
In occult prolapse, the umbilical cord cannot be seen, but it is compressed, usually by a shoulder or the head. The membranes are intact, and the cord is in front of or next to the fetus or trapped in front of the fetus’s shoulder. Usually, occult prolapse can be identified by an abnormal pattern in the fetus’s heart rate. Changing the mother’s position usually corrects the problem. Occasionally, a cesarean delivery is necessary. 