HSE National Clinical Guideline
HSE National Clinical Guideline Umbilical Cord Prolapse: Prevention, Diagnosis and Management
Topic:
Prevention, diagnosis and management of umbilical cord prolapse in pregnancy
Document Owner:
National Clinical Lead for Guideline Development in Maternity and Gynaecology Services, National Women and Infants Health Programme (NWIHP)
National Group:
Guideline Development Programme, National Women and Infants Health Programme
Effective From: 01 May 2026
Evidence-based guideline for the prevention, recognition and management of cord prolapse, promoting a standardised approach nationally across all maternity hospitals/units and primary care.
National evidence-based guideline on umbilical cord prolapse covering prevention, recognition and management across Irish maternity and community settings. Defines cord prolapse/presentation, outlines antenatal and intrapartum risk factors and mitigation, and provides graded recommendations and an algorithm for emergency response, timing/mode of birth, communication, debriefing and service organisation.