A Case of Umbilical Cord Prolapse With Intact Membranes Managed Successfully With Conservative Measures

Abstract

Umbilical cord prolapse with ruptured membranes is an obstetric emergency with management consisting of delivery via emergent cesarean delivery. If the umbilical cord prolapses beyond the internal os with intact membranes, there is an opportunity to intervene and reduce the risk of fetal morbidity and mortality. A healthy 30-year-old, gravida 1 para 0 was incidentally found to have a short cervical length at 25 weeks five days on routine anatomy ultrasound evaluation. On evaluation via ultrasound by the maternal-fetal medicine service, the umbilical cord was noted to be prolapsing through the cervix with membranes intact. The cord prolapse with intact membranes resolved after placing the patient in the Trendelenburg position and nifedipine was administered for tocolysis given the uterus was noted to be contracting. For the remainder of the pregnancy, the patient underwent close follow-up and serial ultrasound scans with confirmation of the fetal head as the presenting part. The patient ultimately delivered vaginally at term. Cord prolapse with intact membranes, when identified via ultrasound, can be managed conservatively via Trendelenburg positioning and tocolysis to avoid premature cesarean delivery.