Is There an Added Neonatal Risk in Vacuum-Assisted Deliveries with Nuchal Cord?

Abstract

This retrospective cohort study assessed the association between nuchal cord and adverse outcomes during vacuum-assisted delivery (VAD). Women with singleton pregnancies, 34–41-weeks gestation, who underwent VAD, from 2014 to 2020 were included. The primary outcome was umbilical cord pH ≤ 7.1. Secondary outcomes were neonatal intensive care unit admission, Apgar scores, pH p = 0.001) and higher maternal BMI (23.6 ± 4.3 vs. 23.1 ± 5, p = 0.017). Nuchal cord was associated with higher rates of induction (207 (19.5%) vs. 431 (16%), p = 0.009) and lower birthweights (3185 ± 413 vs. 3223 ± 436 g, p = 0.013). The main indication for VAD in 830 (80.7%) of the nuchal cord group was non-reassuring fetal heart rate (NRFHR) vs. 1989 (75.6%) controls (p = 0.004). The second stage was shorter in the nuchal cord group (128 ± 81 vs. 141 ± 80 min, p < 0.001). Multivariate regression found nulliparity, induction and birthweight as independent risk factors for nuchal cord VAD. Although induction and NRFHR rates were higher in VAD with nuchal cord, the rate of umbilical cord acidemia was not.

Keywords

• vacuum-assisted delivery
• operative delivery
• nuchal cord
• cord pH