A case of fetal distress associated with an umbilical cord hematoma

Abstract

 We report a case of an umbilical cord hematoma in a primi-para woman who was receiving drip infusion of oxytocin for weakened uterine contractions in the second stage of labor. The fetal heart rate suddenly dropped and the variability remained low, and the baby was delivered by vacuum extraction with compression of the fundus. The placenta seemed to have no specific findings, but the pathological examination of the umbilicus near placenta revealed an intra-umbilical cord hematoma and rupture of the umbilical vein within the Warthon jelly wall. The umbilical vein wall was confirmed using immunohistochemistry for smooth muscle actin and elastica van Gieson staining for collagen and elastic fibers.