Can a vaginal delivery be possible if the umbilical cord is wrapped around the neck once?

A single nuchal cord (umbilical cord wrapped once around the neck) generally does not preclude vaginal delivery, although the final decision must be made based on multiple factors. A single nuchal cord is relatively common during pregnancy and, in most cases, does not cause serious harm to the fetus. Pregnant women should undergo regular prenatal examinations during pregnancy, including fetal heart rate monitoring, to assess fetal well-being. If both fetal movement and fetal heart rate monitoring are normal, a single nuchal cord is not considered a contraindication for vaginal delivery. However, if the cord is wrapped too tightly around the neck or is too short, it may increase the risk of fetal hypoxia during labor. Therefore, healthcare providers will closely monitor fetal heart rate patterns and progress of labor. If abnormalities in fetal heart rate or difficulties in labor progression occur, emergency measures such as cesarean section may be considered to ensure the safety of both mother and baby.