Shortened Umbilical Cord

I have no personal experience with this, however my best quess is they estimated the umbilical cord length be ultrasound and based on the location of the placenta, calculated that the birth process could cause the placenta to start pulling away from the uterine wall prior to the completion of the birth process - a real emergency because where the placenta pulls away, blood leaks into the uterus. something that happens during labor is that the dimensions of the uterus change because it is composed of muscles that press on the baby during contractions so the uterus becomes "smaller" as the baby moves more and more down into the birth canal. therefore what appears to be a too short umbilical cord can maintain a proper connection to the placenta during the birth process. It depends on the position of placental attatchment, whether the cord is wrapped around the baby in any way, and other factores.
this is a risk assessment decision based on the possibility of getting sued if something does not go well, and taking into consideration the well being and safety of the mother and baby - doctors make these tough calls all the time. they are going to recommend the safer option. A.

A friend of mine had this a year ago. The doctors didn't know it when she went into labor, and the baby's heart rate kept dropping during contractions. They finally did a c-section and discovered the short cord. They told her there was no way they could have delivered vaginally.

If you look at the research that was quoted by one of the other posters the shortened umbilical cord syndrome is very rare and incompatible with life. So it is unlikely that your friend had this particular syndrome. Babies have different lengths of umbilical cords. Perhaps the shorter cord length contributed to the baby being badly positioned? Many cesareans result from a baby who isn't lined up. Your friend will most likely need more support from her recovery since she is now recovering from abdominal surgery and having to take care of a new born. Bringing meals, helping with housework or older children, and just listening is to her is great support. Additionally, a great mother to mother support network for moms who are recovering from cesareans or wanting to plan for the next birth after a cesarean is the International Cesarean Awareness Network - ICAN. There is a local chapter in St. Louis. To search for chapters in other areas you can go to www.ican-online.org

Good Morning M., I had no idea what it was either. I did a google search. Here is what i found.

http://www.thefetus.net/page.php?id=184

http://www.med.yale.edu/obgyn/kliman/placenta/articles/EO...

It's probably a very good thing she had the C-sec. Saved her baby.

God Bless you and Best of everything to your friend

K. Nana of 5