If the cord is wrapped around the baby's neck and can be slipped over the head, what should you do?

• A. Slip the cord over the head
• B. Clamp the cord in two spots and cut in the middle
• C. Leave the cord in place and proceed
• D. Cut the cord as close to the belly button as possible

Answer: (A)

When a nuchal cord is around the baby's neck and you can slip it over the head, do so gently to relieve the wrap. This frees the neck without cutting the cord and preserves the baby's ongoing placental blood flow. Avoid pulling on the cord and support the head as you work the loop over. If slipping it over isn’t possible, you would clamp the cord in two places and cut between the clamps to free the baby; leaving the cord around the neck or cutting the cord prematurely before delivery can interfere with circulation and delivery. Cutting the cord near the belly button before birth isn’t appropriate because the baby remains attached to the placenta and relies on that connection during delivery.