Umbilical Cord Haematoma Causing Still Birth- A Case Report

Still birth continues to be one of the many challenges that an obstetrician has to face. Still births that occur in the antenatal period are more difficult to explain than that which occurs intrapartum. The latter is most often due to intrapartum asphyxia, medical complications or infections; however a cause for antenatal still birth is difficult to ascertain. A thorough examination of the case along with necessary investigations might not necessarily reveal any cause and this leads to considerable anxiety for both the mother and the treating obstetrician. In the investigation of a case of still birth a detailed examination of the placenta and cord has to be emphasised as a considerable number of still births that are thought to be unexplained may be attributable to placental or cord pathologies. Here we present one such case where an umbilical cord haematoma resulted in intrauterine foetal death.