Could my baby be tangled in the umbilical cord?

Question

Recently, I have been feeling this sharp, internal tugging sensation. I am concerned since the sensation starts close to my belly button and ends down deep around the vagina. Has anyone else experienced something similar. Please respond with any advice or knowledge of this.

PS- I have an appointment with my doc next Wednesday

Answer 1

Hmm... I've had these symptoms recently, and my doctor thinks it's Braxton Hicks.

I was also diagnosed with a yeast infection, and with one dose of medication it was resolved... just FYI in case you wanna check into that (not saying that's what it is, of course).

Go ahead and ring your doc's office tommorrow morning, and ask the nurse on staff what you asked us... see what she says, okay??

Good luck!!!!!

Answer 2

Your placenta is more than likely attached the the wall of your uterus closest to your spine, it should also be close to the top of your uterus. So while it is entirely possible for the baby to become wrapped in their umbilical cord it is unlikely it would cause the sensations you are describing. In addition being wrapped in the umbilical cord protects the baby from a far more serious problem -cord prolapse during delivery.

The umbilical cord contains wharton's jelly which prevents the blood vessels from becoming compressed. Even true knots rarely cause any problem for the baby, and squishing against the soft squishy baby has even less chance of causing a problem. And it is incredibly unlikely that the baby could move hard enough to rip the cord from the placenta (I have never heard of it happening).

The tugging sensation could be muscle strain, ligaments, your abdominal wall splitting (in late pregnancy) or a myriad of other things. However I really wouldn't worry about cord problems.

Answer 3

First, be aware that the umbilical cord doesn't attach to your belly button. ;)
You don't say how far along you are so I can't tell you that it's just the baby moving- which it probably is.
I had all sorts of weird sensations with my son. So long as there isn't any pain or bleeding, things should be fine. Also, if you are at least 3 months along you can get a cheap listening device at Target to listen to the heartbeat if you're worried. Too, you should try counting the baby's movements... if you have like 10 in 2 hours (during a normally active period) you're fine. In any case, talk to your doc. If you continue to be worried or don't feel movement or have pain/bleeding, please go in ASAP.

Blessings.

Answer 4

I wouldn't worry. To start with your placenta is probably not attached by your belly button, but much higher, and even if it was being pulled on via your baby's umbilical cord you most likely would not feel it (lack of nerve endings there). Don't stress it, there are many more tugs and twinges during pregnancy that you can imagine and they are all normal.

Answer 5

Before birth the cord is stiff with blood and isn't slack and rope-like the way it is after birth. The baby won't get tangled in it in your womb. Muscle spasms are common in pregnancy, from the abdominal and uterine muscles being stretched.

Answer 6

The odds of your baby being tangled in the umbilical is VERY VERY low, due to the mechanics of the structure of the umbilical chord.

If he/she were, you wouldn't have any indications other than decreased movement.

Answer 7

It sounds more like the baby is settling down in you pelvis and is just pinching a few of your nurves. I'm 35 weeks and I get that sometimes because he's lightened.

Answer 8

braxton hicks is when your entire belly get tight - its a practice contraction of sorts - i had pain at my belly button - found out i have a hernia