Prolapsed Umbilical Cord Description A prolapsed cord occurs when the baby's umbilical cord falls into the birth canal ahead of the baby's head or other parts of the baby's body. Another term for this condition is cord prolapse . A prolapsed cord is a serious emergency and can be very harmful to the baby. During delivery of the second baby of twins . Baby is in a transverse lie .
Baby is in the breech position .
When the bag of waters breaks spontaneously or when the doctor ruptures the membranes during a vaginal exam before the foetus descends into the pelvis. The mother cannot feel if the baby's cord is prolapsed. The problem becomes apparent when the foetal heart monitor , which is usually attached to the mother's abdomen, shows that the baby's heart rate has decreased. Then the doctor or nurse feel in the vagina for the cord. This takes pressure off the cord.