Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.
What Is Marginal Cord Insertion? Marginal cord insertion is an atypical form of umbilical cord attachment during pregnancy. Rather than inserting in the center of the placenta, the umbilical cord attaches at the edges. This type of insertion can potentially lead to slower fetal development.
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When you are pregnant, you probably cannot wait until your child is born and a new life begins. All the joy and excitement of having a baby, but, what if there is a problem with your baby’s umbilical cord? One of the problems that can happen is a marginal umbilical cord insertion.
This issue occurs when the umbilical cord connects on the placenta side and not in the middle of the placental mass. This abnormal condition occurs in about 10 out of 100 pregnancies. If your baby is injured because of marginal cord insertion, you may have a birth injury claim against the doctor or medical facility.
Talk to a birth injury attorney at Malman Law to find out about legal options if your baby has been injured.
Marginal cord insertion, also known as eccentric cord insertion, refers to the attachment of the umbilical cord to the placenta at the edge rather than in the center. Normally, the umbilical cord attaches to the center of the placenta, allowing for optimal blood flow and nutrient transfer between the mother and the baby. However, in cases of marginal cord insertion, the umbilical cord may attach at the periphery of the placenta.
Why does this problem happen? Some infants have very short umbilical cords that can cause marginal cord insertion and lead to increased death rates. Other babies have cords that are not straight, causing birth injuries. Finally, some have a cord with only one artery, which causes reduced blood flow to the fetus.
The cord has one vein that provides blood to the baby. In addition, there are two arteries in the umbilical cord that remove waste. An umbilical cord with one artery is associated with genetic difficulties and a fetal death rate of up to 20%. Strictures in the umbilical cord happen for many reasons and are associated with about 20% of fetal deaths.
The exact cause of marginal cord insertion is not always clear. It can occur spontaneously without any known risk factors or underlying conditions. However, certain factors may increase the likelihood of this condition, including:
This condition can be a problem because the sides of your placenta are weaker and do not have as much tissue as the center. The center is where the cord should insert. The weak sidewalls cannot fully support the cord and may cause complications.
The cause of this condition is not fully understood. No factors have been connected to marginal umbilical cord insertion. There also is no racial or genetic predisposition with this birth abnormality.
One risk that is understood is it is more common in women who have been pregnant multiple times. Marginal cord insertions are at least three times more likely in women with multiple pregnancies or twins. It also is more common when the parents have used fertility treatments.
When there are problems with the umbilical cord, there is a higher risk of issues affecting your baby’s growth and development. For example, the condition can limit the blood flow to the baby when you are pregnant. This problem can lead to complications such as intrauterine growth restriction, which can cause premature birth.
Marginal cord insertion can cause miscarriage in the first six months of pregnancy. Also, it can lead to excessive bleeding when you give birth. Mothers may be at greater risk of getting placenta previa when the cord is not attached correctly to the placenta. This condition could cause your placenta to block the entrance of the birth canal.
Another problematic condition associated with marginal cord insertion is vasa previa. While this is rare, it is a dangerous condition. The fetus’ blood vessels should always be positioned in the umbilical cord. But in vasa previa, they are in the amniotic sac. This can be risky if you have a vaginal condition without the condition being known. It is your doctor’s responsibility to be aware of this and other potentially dangerous umbilical cord conditions.
If the sac ruptures, the fetus’s blood vessels can also rupture. The fetus could have catastrophic blood loss that leads to death.
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In most cases, marginal cord insertion does not present any noticeable symptoms or complications. It is often diagnosed during routine prenatal ultrasound examinations. However, in some instances, there may be indications of potential issues, such as:
If you experience any of these symptoms or have concerns about marginal cord insertion, it is crucial to consult with your healthcare provider for further evaluation and monitoring.
While marginal cord insertion does not always lead to complications, it can increase the risk of certain issues during pregnancy and delivery. Some potential complications include:
It is essential to have regular prenatal check-ups and ultrasounds to monitor the baby’s growth and ensure proper management in case any complications arise.
Marginal cord insertion is relatively common, occurring in approximately 7-10% of pregnancies. The majority of cases do not result in significant complications and can be managed with appropriate prenatal care and monitoring. However, the frequency of marginal cord insertion may vary depending on individual risk factors and circumstances.
As someone who may be expecting a baby, it is important to understand the various aspects of prenatal care that may arise. One such aspect is marginal cord insertion, which can potentially impact the health and development of the baby. If you have concerns about your baby’s health or are seeking legal guidance regarding any prenatal issues, don’t hesitate to reach out to Malman Law for support and advice.
There are no current treatments for marginal cord insertion. There isn’t anything a doctor can do to alter the condition, but they should diagnose the problem early in pregnancy and monitor it. If they fail to do so, the fetus could suffer a birth injury. The doctor should be able to watch the condition with prenatal ultrasounds.
In the mother’s womb, a baby depends on the umbilical cord to get air, nutrients, and everything else needed to grow enough to survive on their own. This cord is usually well-protected by the placenta, which acts as the baby’s lifeline.
However, in a condition called vasa previa, some of the blood vessels that should be safely inside the cord end up outside of it. These vessels are very fragile, like thin straws, and if they break, it can cause serious bleeding that’s dangerous for the baby.
When doctors find out a mom has vasa previa, they act quickly to keep the baby safe. They often decide to deliver the baby early, usually by cesarean section, to avoid any risks of these fragile vessels breaking during labor or delivery.
In most pregnancies, the umbilical cord connects directly to the center of the placenta, where it can easily provide all the nutrients and oxygen the baby needs. But sometimes, the cord attaches to the edge of the placenta instead, which is called marginal cord insertion.
Marginal cord insertion isn’t as dangerous as vasa previa, but it can still cause some problems. The baby might not get as much nutrients and oxygen as it should, which can affect how well it grows. Doctors keep a close eye on these pregnancies, often doing more ultrasounds and check-ups to make sure the baby is growing properly.
If doctors notice that the baby isn’t growing as expected or seems to be in trouble, they might suggest delivering the baby early or taking other steps to help the baby stay healthy. Their main goal is to make sure the baby gets everything it needs to grow strong and healthy, even when there are complications.
With marginal cord insertion, the umbilical cord attaches to the edge of the placenta instead of the center. While it’s not ideal, it’s usually manageable. The baby still gets most of the nutrients and oxygen needed to grow, and doctors monitor the situation to ensure everything stays on track.
Velamentous cord insertion, however, is more concerning. In this case, the umbilical cord doesn’t attach to the placenta at all. Instead, it connects to the membranes around the baby, which are much more fragile.
This condition is risky because the membranes aren’t as strong as the placenta. The blood vessels in the cord are more prone to being squished or even tearing. It’s like using a paper straw instead of a sturdy plastic one—it’s more likely to fail.
Doctors take velamentous cord insertion seriously because it can lead to significant complications. They closely monitor these pregnancies, ensuring the baby is growing well and receiving enough nutrients and oxygen.
Often, doctors can detect these issues early with detailed ultrasounds that examine the baby and the cord during development. If they spot something unusual, they can create a plan to keep both mom and baby safe, potentially including a scheduled early delivery to prevent any complications.
Doctors can diagnose and monitor this condition, but not all do. For example, sometimes the doctor does not diagnose marginal cord insertion. Or, he may not watch the pregnancy as carefully as necessary.
Or, the doctor might not perform a C-section and has the mother perform a vaginal birth. Any of these situations can have a devastating health impact on the mother or baby. This is a serious risk of birth injuries with marginal cord insertion that can lead to severe disabilities and life-long medical expenses. In the worst case, the mother or the child can die.
During your pregnancy, the doctor should use all diagnostic tests at his disposal to look for fetal problems. For example, the health of the baby’s umbilical cord is essential for a normal pregnancy and birth. Without healthy blood flow, the baby could be injured or die.
The doctor must carefully check the location and condition of the umbilical cord during pregnancy and delivery. If he sees the cord is knotted, squeezed, trapped, or pinched, the blood flow can stop and damage the brain. Doctors must always watch for abnormal fetal conditions that can cause injury or death.
Your medical provider’s role is to take aggressive action when there is a problem with the umbilical cord. Failing to do so could be the basis of a birth injury lawsuit. A lawsuit should be done to obtain justice for you. Also, you may need monetary compensation to provide for the needs of your child and family.
Of course, the doctor’s medical malpractice insurer will fight the lawsuit vigorously. But with an experienced birth injury attorney fighting for you, there is a good chance of a successful outcome.
If you or a loved one has sustained a marginal cord insertion injury, you may be entitled to compensation. Although your rights are secure under personal injury laws, you need to file an insurance claim or civil lawsuit to protect them.
Unfortunately, the legal process is complicated for those who are not familiar with the claim process. Engaging a personal injury attorney can provide the necessary legal guidance and support.
Here are a few reasons you may need a Chicago personal injury attorney after sustaining a marginal cord insertion:
You must understand the true value of your claim to obtain a fair settlement amount. Unfortunately, many people are unaware of how different elements of your case affect the value of your claim.
An experienced medical malpractice attorney will evaluate the extent of your injury and the potential impact on your life.
Suppose the marginal cord insertion is likely to keep you out of work for an extended period. In that case, an attorney will demand a fair settlement amount that covers the lost income from the insurer or at-fault party.
A personal injury attorney has years of experience dealing with similar cases and will apply their skills to obtain the best possible compensation for your claim.
As a victim of marginal cord insertion, it is ill-advised to deal with an insurance provider without legal aid. Most insurers work to minimize settlement amounts and often use different tactics to protect themselves.
Once an insurance provider has agreed to pay an insurance claim, they’ll likely table an offer.
Unfortunately, the first offer is mostly insufficient to match the demand for injury-related costs.
In addition, the manufacturer is likely to hire an experienced attorney to handle any communication with a claimant.
Your best bet is to work with an attorney who will negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf. More importantly, an attorney is an equal match to the defense attorney who works to protect the manufacturer’s interest.
After filing a personal injury claim, you can expect a solution as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, delays occur, which worsen the effect of your injury. An attorney assesses the completeness of the documentation before submitting the claim.
The attorney will also handle any communication with the insurer to avoid unnecessary delays. As you cope with the new injury, you may lack the energy to keep up with the demands of the injury claim.
On the contrary, an attorney has systems and people who work to ensure timely replies and correspondence with the court or insurance company. Your attorney will also work to prevent setbacks that can lead to a faster resolution of your claim.
In order to obtain sufficient compensation for your marginal cord insertion injury, you must demonstrate the extent of your injuries. While some records are freely available to the public, you may need the help of an expert to retrieve some pieces of evidence.
An attorney can compile the following pieces of evidence to build your case:
In addition to the physical harm, you may struggle to obtain quality medical care if you don’t have the finances. Healthcare providers often hesitate to provide medicare care to injured victims when they are not sure how to bill them.
Our attorneys can negotiate with medical providers to provide quality care awaiting the settlement of your insurance claim. In addition, our attorneys regularly work with injury doctors and specialists and can help you find someone who can provide quality care and testify to your injuries.
Did you suffer a marginal cord insertion injury because your doctor didn’t provide the necessary standard of care? The Chicago birth injury lawyers at Malman Law will assist you. We have a strong track record of helping people receive compensation. Please contact us today with our online form for a free consultation.
Malman Law’s founder Attorney Steven Malman has over 30 years of experience handling personal injury, nursing home, medical malpractice, truck accidents, car accidents, premises liability, construction, and workers’ compensation cases in Chicago, IL.
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This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by President and Founder, Steven J. Malman who has more than 20 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney.