chances of cord prolapse?

I just had an appointment with my midwife and doc at the hospital. im 39 weeks. The midwife had a feel of babies possition and told me that the head was not inside the pelvis...which is pretty normal for a second pregnancy, then proceded to tell me....and my DH who gets very worried about this stuff....that im at risk of cord prolapse if my waters break and that i should see the doctor and then actually said ''its a matter of life and death'':doh::o

Now DH is freaking out and im left to try and reasure him that its ok, quite rare and that he shouldnt be freaking out.

I just wanted to check.....am i right or should i be freaking out too????

No I wouldnt be freaking out just something to be aware of if your waters do break probably best to head to hospital over having a shower first and heading in a few hours later. I'm sure when/if they do break bubs head will come down and act as a plug anyhow. Also the chance of your waters breaking with a high presenting part are not likely as you don't have that hard surface pressing on the cervix. Most labours start without waters breaking so the contractions first or BHs will help bring bubs head down and reduce that risk. Its very common to have the presenting part floating around and so far I haven't seen any cord prolapses happen to women we were expecting it to. Its always been the ones you don't expect. I've also done an abdominal palp and thought woow that head is high and then done a VE and the presenting part has been very well applied to the cervix despite been able to move bubs head around from the outside. Its just one persons opinion. I wouldn't be disregarding it but don't freak out as your very much in the normal.

thanks so much for your reply! Im going to my GP in a week so if she says the head is engaged and my waters break, thats ok? but if its not and they break i should go straight to the hospital.....is that normal, to have to go to the hospital ASAP after you waters break....and ive just never heard that?

I had a prolasped cord with my 1st son and his head was engaged before i went into labour the doctors didnt relise until his head was almost out it was a bit of a stuff up as during labour his heart rate kept dropping so they made me lay on my side and that made his heart rate settle it was while i was pushing his HR dropped dramaticly and when they checked they could see the cord in front of his head and it was kinked like a hose at the side of his head also so they just said to me push like there is no tomorrow we need to get this baby out i had him out in 2 pushes he was rushed off and resusitated and in the NICU for a few days and had to be tested for oxygen levels ect and was ok.
I was told i should of had a ceasar but it was to late by the time they noticed the cord.
I have since learnt that if your waters break at home to just feel inside for a cord and if you can feel it lay on your back with you bum elevated to keep the head from pressing on the cord and call an ambulance.
Lucky it is very uncommon as usually the head is in they way but best be aware of everything.

I wouldn't expect bubs head to engage before labour starts seeing as you have had a bub before. Even if they say it has there is a chance it can pop up and down anyway. Just one of the normal things that happens once you body has done it before.

Where I work we encourage everyone to come in once their waters break. Usually just to check everything out and send them home again but each hospital is different and its much nicer to labour at home before heading in to hospital where there is increased chances of intervention. I was just thinking if they are so concerned about cord prolapse that if your waters broke it probably would be better to head in to be assessed and if bub is in a desirable position then they should be able to send you home again for a while (unless there are other reasons not to)