During pregnancy, it is especially important to pay attention to the movements of the baby in the womb. In this regard, the following article will discuss the reasons for umbilical cord entanglement and provide tips on how to prevent it.
Reasons for Umbilical Cord Entanglement
1. Frequent touching of the belly during late pregnancy
Touching the belly allows the baby to feel the mother's presence, making it a good form of prenatal education. However, excessive touching can excite the baby and increase their activity level, especially during late pregnancy when the baby is larger and more responsive to interaction. This increased activity can also increase the likelihood of umbilical cord entanglement. Additionally, frequent belly touching can promote uterine contractions and lead to premature birth. Therefore, it is advisable to limit belly touching during late pregnancy and focus on other forms of communication that the baby can still sense.
2. Prolonged right-side sleeping
During pregnancy, sleeping positions become more important as the abdomen grows. While it may have been possible to sleep in any position before, it is best to sleep on the left side during late pregnancy. This is because the enlarged uterus tends to rotate to the right, and sleeping on the right side can further increase this rotation, leading to compression of blood vessels and affecting blood supply to the baby, resulting in chronic hypoxia and ischemia. Poor sleeping positions can also increase the risk of umbilical cord entanglement.
3. Frequent staying up late
Staying up late is detrimental to overall health, but it has become a common habit for many people nowadays. If staying up late only leads to insomnia without any other activities, it may not be too harmful. However, if it is caused by work, gaming, or binge-watching, the brain will be in an excited state, which can also affect the baby's brain, causing increased activity and a higher risk of umbilical cord entanglement. Therefore, it is essential for pregnant mothers to develop good sleep habits and avoid staying up late.
Risks of Umbilical Cord Entanglement
1. Hypoxia and asphyxia
If the umbilical cord is wrapped around the baby's neck multiple times or tightly, it can lead to hypoxia and asphyxia, resulting in premature birth or even death.
2. Difficulties during vaginal delivery
If the umbilical cord is wrapped around the neck or body, and the remaining cord is too short, it can make it difficult for the baby's head to descend and pass through the birth canal, leading to complications during vaginal delivery.
Recommended Foods for Pregnant Women
1. Chestnuts
Chestnuts are a natural food source. They contain high levels of amino acids such as aspartic acid and glutamic acid, which are beneficial for brain development.
2. Citrus fruits
There are many varieties of citrus fruits. For example, the Jinju variety contains 811 grams of water per 100 grams, 1 gram of protein, 0.1 gram of fat, 7.3-16.8 grams of carbohydrates, 0.1-0.64 milligrams of beta-carotene, 0.4 milligrams of vitamin B1, 0.4 milligrams of vitamin B2, 16-56 milligrams of vitamin C, 0.36-0.52 milligrams of vitamin E, 60 milligrams of calcium, 15 milligrams of phosphorus, and 1.05 milligrams of iron.
3. Grapes and raisins
Fresh grapes contain 84-92 grams of water, 0.3-0.9 grams of protein, 0.1 gram of fat, 8.5-13.4 grams of carbohydrates, 0.01-0.41 milligrams of beta-carotene, 0.01-0.03 milligrams of vitamin B2, 0.1-0.8 milligrams of niacin, as well as vitamin C, calcium, phosphorus, and iron. The nutrients in grapes have a beneficial effect on the brain and can also prevent blood clotting, helping to prevent cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases.
