Nuchal cord: a definition and a study associating placental location and nuchal cord incidence.

The umbilical cord around the neck of the fetus at the time of birth has been referred to in the literature by many different terms, including the term nuchal cord. A standardized definition of nuchal cord is proposed in order to allow for more accurate study of this problem. A prospective study is undertaken applying this specific definition. The results suggest a statistically significant relationship between nuchal cord incidence and placental location. A relationship between fetal heart rate decelerations and placental location also surfaced.