Which statement defines a prolapsed umbilical cord?

• A. The cord emerges before the fetus.
• B. The cord remains attached to the placenta after birth.
• C. The placenta detaches before delivery.
• D. The umbilical cord coils around the neck after birth.

Answer: (A)

A prolapsed umbilical cord occurs when the umbilical cord slips into the birth canal ahead of the baby, emerging before the fetus. This position allows the cord to be compressed by the presenting part, which can cut off the fetus’s oxygen supply and is a true obstetric emergency requiring rapid intervention to relieve pressure and expedite delivery. The phrase “emerges before the fetus” describes this dangerous situation.

The other scenarios describe different events: cord remaining attached to the placenta after birth isn’t about prolapse but about placenta delivery; the placenta detaching before delivery points to placental abruption; and the cord around the neck after birth is a nuchal cord. These are distinct from prolapse.