Twins born with both umbilical cords tied
Twin girls have both umbilical cords tied, surprising doctors in Ho Chi Minh City.
Two healthy baby girls were born at My Duc Hospital on March 4 by cesarean section at 37 weeks. These are twins from in vitro fertilization, two placentas, two amniotic sacs.
Caesarean section doctor Ho Cao Cuong said that the case of a fetus with a knotted umbilical cord is quite rare, estimated at about 1% of births, or about one in 100 pregnant women. The cause of the knotted umbilical cord is currently unknown, but some factors that cause this condition are monoamniotic twins, long umbilical cords, multiple pregnancies, multiple births, and older pregnant women...
"In this case, the two babies are in two amniotic sacs and two umbilical cords, so the probability that both of them have such a knotted condition is extremely rare," Dr. Cuong analyzed.
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The twin's umbilical cords are knotted.Photo provided by doctor. |
The umbilical cord connects the placenta to the fetus, is a very important fetal appendage, plays a role in carrying nutrients and oxygen from the mother to the baby during pregnancy. A knotted umbilical cord increases the risk of stillbirth by 4 times compared to pregnant women without a knotted umbilical cord.
Diagnosing fetal umbilical cord knots is still a challenge for doctors. Ultrasound is still the means of diagnosis, but the detection rate is very low. If detected, it is usually due to luck. In the world, there is no better diagnostic means to help avoid missing complications.
"This case is really lucky for the surgical team, the pregnant woman's family and both babies because the umbilical cord knot has not caused any consequences for the fetus," said Dr. Cuong.
In some cases, the fetus suddenly loses its heartbeat and dies in the womb. Only after the pregnancy is terminated is the cause of the umbilical cord knot known.
Doctors recommend that pregnant women need to have regular check-ups and monitor the health of the fetus at home by counting fetal movements according to the doctor's instructions. If a knot in the umbilical cord is detected during pregnancy, the pregnant woman will be closely monitored and proactively perform a cesarean section at the appropriate time according to obstetric indications.
