What Is Marginal Cord Insertion?

Tuesday, November 22, 2022

What Is Marginal Cord Insertion?

Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.

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.

Why Does Marginal Cord Insertion Happen?

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.

Why Is Marginal Umbilical Cord Insertion A Problem?

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.

How Is Marginal Cord Insertion Treated?

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.

When Should You Speak To A Birth Injury Lawyer?

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.

How To File A Birth Injury Lawsuit After Marginal Cord Insertion

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.

Contact A Chicago, Illinois Birth Injury Attorney

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.