Symptoms of marginal umbilical cord entry

Borderline umbilical cord entry usually has no obvious symptoms and is mostly detected during prenatal ultrasound examination. Marginal umbilical cord entry refers to the attachment of the umbilical cord to the edge of the placenta rather than the center, which may increase the risk of complications during pregnancy, but pregnant women often do not feel any abnormalities themselves.

Marginal umbilical cord entry usually does not directly cause discomfort to pregnant women during pregnancy, and its potential risks are mainly evaluated through medical examinations. Ultrasound examination can observe that the umbilical cord attachment point deviates from the center of the placenta, and there may be slight abnormalities in placental blood flow. In some cases, it may be accompanied by fetal growth restriction, manifested as slow growth of uterine height or reduced fetal movement, but these symptoms are not specific and need to be comprehensively judged in conjunction with ultrasound Doppler and other examinations. In rare cases, marginal umbilical cord entry may develop into vascular previa or placental abruption, which may result in emergency symptoms such as vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain. If the attachment point of the umbilical cord is too close to the edge of the placenta, it may cause rupture of the umbilical cord blood vessels due to traction during delivery, leading to sudden fetal heart rate abnormalities. This type of critical situation requires immediate medical treatment, but the actual incidence rate is relatively low.

If marginal umbilical cord entry is found during pregnancy, the frequency of prenatal check ups should be increased. It is recommended to monitor placental blood flow and fetal development with ultrasound every two weeks. Daily attention should be paid to recording changes in fetal movement, avoiding vigorous exercise and prolonged standing. The delivery method should be determined based on the results of the late pregnancy review. Most cases can be delivered vaginally, but if there is vascular malformation or fetal distress, cesarean section should be chosen. If any abnormal bleeding or abdominal pain symptoms occur, seek medical evaluation immediately.