You can only get the cord around the neck if it is nice and long. In the book 'Waterbirth' by obstetrician Yehudi Gordon and exercise instructor Janice Belaskas, Dr. Gordon tells practitioners not to even feel for the cord and to just let the baby come out in the water tub and then unwrap it. This, of course, would apply on land, too. In more than 800 births, I have never had a problem with a baby's cord around the neck where I had to cut it or do anything fancy. And if a baby is allowed to be born when they decide they're ready, a mother's body will be more ready too- her body will be ripe and seasoned by pregnancy, not jolted into working before its time.
Birth is very, very safe.
Women are alive today because our ancestors gave birth beautifully. If women's bodies couldn't give birth without intervention, the human race would have died out millions of years ago. Women's bodies are are very, very wise. They truly know what to do to give birth- if only left alone. I can't tell you how wonderful it is to give birth without a cesarean.