HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Hello Doctor, I Am Currently 26 Weeks Pregnant. I Have

default
Posted on Tue, 11 Jun 2019
Question: Hello doctor,
I am currently 26 weeks pregnant. I have hypercoiled umbilical cord. The baby is measuring all right and I have gained 17 pounds in this pregnancy. I have been taking susten 200 twice a day since beginning of pregnancy and 60 mg aspirin per day. I m scared to stop the progesterone as I don’t know how the umbilical cord will affect it. Please let me know if it will be safe to take susten till 38 weeks as at 39 weeks I m scheduled for induction.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Aaron Branch (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
The umbilical cord will not change the management

Detailed Answer:
Hello, I'm Dr. Branch,
Thanks for using 'Ask A Doctor' service.

Not to make you worried, but the hypercoiled umbilical cords are a known risk factor for adverse outcomes, including sometimes causing fetal mortality so it will be very important that your baby is monitored closely, especially in the third trimester. Your doctor will probably want to regular testing on the baby to make sure he or she is doing alright, and you should do daily fetal movement counts.

The progesterone does the affect this condition, so you would take it as it was originally planned. For women with a previous preterm birth, it is typically started in the second trimester (16 to 20 weeks), and continued through 37 weeks, at which point it can be stopped.

There would be no need to take it after 37 weeks, and I wouldn't recommend using it after that since at that point the baby would not be likely to have problems being born, and there would be no reason to intentionally try to delay labor at that point.

However, if your doctor has recommended using it for 38 weeks, they may have reasons for that I am not aware of, and you should always follow your doctor's recommendations. Taking progesterone until 38 weeks would be safe as well.

I hope that helps, please let me know if you have any questions, I would be glad to discuss it with you further.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Aaron Branch (2 hours later)
Hello doctor,
Thanks for your reply. Just curious, why hypercoiled umbilical cords happen. Is there anything that can be done to make it better.
Thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Aaron Branch (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Not known

Detailed Answer:
There have not been many studies looking at this, and from what I know, the cause isn't known. But once the umbilical cord becomes hypercoiled, there is nothing that can be done to change it, the treatment is just to watch the baby carefully.
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Aaron Branch

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2011

Answered : 1204 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Hello Doctor, I Am Currently 26 Weeks Pregnant. I Have

Brief Answer: The umbilical cord will not change the management Detailed Answer: Hello, I'm Dr. Branch, Thanks for using 'Ask A Doctor' service. Not to make you worried, but the hypercoiled umbilical cords are a known risk factor for adverse outcomes, including sometimes causing fetal mortality so it will be very important that your baby is monitored closely, especially in the third trimester. Your doctor will probably want to regular testing on the baby to make sure he or she is doing alright, and you should do daily fetal movement counts. The progesterone does the affect this condition, so you would take it as it was originally planned. For women with a previous preterm birth, it is typically started in the second trimester (16 to 20 weeks), and continued through 37 weeks, at which point it can be stopped. There would be no need to take it after 37 weeks, and I wouldn't recommend using it after that since at that point the baby would not be likely to have problems being born, and there would be no reason to intentionally try to delay labor at that point. However, if your doctor has recommended using it for 38 weeks, they may have reasons for that I am not aware of, and you should always follow your doctor's recommendations. Taking progesterone until 38 weeks would be safe as well. I hope that helps, please let me know if you have any questions, I would be glad to discuss it with you further.