Which of the following is a complication that can occur during normal delivery?

• A. Unruptured amniotic sac
• B. Breech Delivery
• C. Limb Presentation
• D. Prolapsed cord

Answer: (D)

During labor the umbilical cord can slip into the birth canal ahead of the presenting part. If the cord is then compressed by the baby or the birth canal, the fetus may not receive enough oxygen, leading to fetal distress. This situation, called a prolapsed umbilical cord, is a true obstetric emergency and can occur even during normal delivery, making it the most concerning complication among the options.

Unruptured amniotic membranes are not a complication of delivery; membranes intact at the onset of labor is common and not itself a problem. Breech delivery and limb presentation are abnormal presentations that make delivery more complex, but they don’t inherently involve the immediate, high-risk cord compression seen with prolapse. In a prolapsed cord situation, the priority is to relieve pressure on the cord, position the mother to improve blood flow, and transport urgently for definitive care.