True or False: There is a very small risk of umbilical cord prolapse with a transverse baby.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Only during the first trimester
• D. Only in high-risk pregnancies

Answer: (A)

The statement is true because a transverse fetal position typically reduces the likelihood of umbilical cord prolapse. When a baby is lying transverse, the likelihood of the cord slipping down ahead of the presenting part during labor is minimized compared with a baby in a head-down (vertex) position. This is due to the fact that the presenting part (usually the head or buttocks) is not engaged in the birth canal, which means there is less direct pressure on the cervix that might cause the cord to slip down.

In cases where a fetus is in a transverse position, there are specific clinical considerations, but the general risk of umbilical cord prolapse is indeed lower when compared to a vertex position, particularly during the later stages of pregnancy and labor. Other options imply situational contexts that are less relevant or directly connected to the typical risk assessment around umbilical cord prolapse and transverse presentations.