Sonographic detection of umbilical cord presentation before induction of labor or labor admission: Presentation of 4 cases

Abstract

Umbilical cord prolapse is a serious obstetric emergency that endangers the life of the baby. Perinatal mortality is as high as 44% when it occurs outside a well-equipped hospital. Women with malpresentations and positions, multifetal pregnancies, and polyhydramnios are at risk of developing this complication. Detection of cord presentation by transvaginal sonography before induction of labor, or at the time of labor admission, can prevent this potentially fatal obstetric emergency. We present successfully managed four cases of cord presentation at our institution.