Can regular check-ups detect nuchal cord?

Generally, if the umbilical cord is seriously wrapped around the neck, it can usually be detected through regular examinations. However, if the umbilical cord has only just started wrapping around the neck or is loosely wrapped, regular examinations usually cannot detect this condition. Detailed explanation is as follows:

Umbilical cord around the neck mainly occurs due to fetal movement inside the womb, causing the umbilical cord to wrap around the fetal neck. If the wrapping is serious, ultrasound examination, especially color Doppler ultrasound, can detect the condition to some extent. This examination can observe the relationship between the fetus and the umbilical cord, as well as the position of the umbilical cord in the amniotic fluid, thereby determining whether umbilical cord entanglement exists.

In cases where the umbilical cord has just started to wrap around the neck or is loosely wrapped, it may not significantly affect the fetal position, heart rate, or other factors. During ultrasound examinations, the position of the umbilical cord and the fetal position may make it difficult to clearly visualize the entanglement. Fetal heart monitoring and physical examinations are even less likely to detect it.

Pregnant women should closely monitor their physical condition and fetal activity during pregnancy. If a pregnant woman feels reduced or absent fetal movement or experiences other abnormal symptoms, she should seek timely medical evaluation. Although these clinical manifestations cannot directly diagnose an umbilical cord around the neck, they can provide clues for physicians to perform further examinations.