Question

During a delivery, if the umbilical cord is wrapped around the infant's neck and you CANNOT slip it free, what should you do?

1) Transport immediately and not cut the cord
2) Ask the mother to push
3) Clamp the cord immediately and cut between the clamps
4) Cut the cord without clamps

Answer 1

If the umbilical cord is wrapped around the infant's neck and you cannot slip it free, the appropriate action is to **3) Clamp the cord immediately and cut between the clamps**. This helps to ensure that the baby receives a continuous oxygen supply and prevents potential complications associated with a wrapped cord.

Answer 2

The correct response when an umbilical cord is wrapped around a baby's neck and can't be loosened is to transport the mother and baby to a medical facility immediately, without cutting the cord. The cutting of the umbilical cord is normally a controlled process that should be done with medical expertise to ensure safety for the newborn.

Step-by-step explanation:

If the umbilical cord is wrapped around an infant's neck and cannot be slipped free, the correct immediate response would be to transport the baby and mother to a medical facility without attempting to cut the cord. While in some instances it may be appropriate to clamp and cut the cord, performing this without proper medical expertise could be risky. Immediate transportation ensures that both the mother and child receive professional medical assistance, which is crucial in this scenario. The aftermath of the delivery includes the cutting of the umbilical cord, which is typically double-clamped and cut between the clamps to prevent bleeding and allow for a controlled separation of the baby from the placenta. The cutting of the umbilical cord is a sensitive procedure that, when done correctly, allows for the baby to take its first breaths and begin living independently of the mother's body.