What is the nursing action when the umbilical cord protrudes the vagina while in labor?

If the umbilical cord is protruding from the vagina, no attempt should be made to replace it because to do so could traumatize it and further reduce blood flow.

• The nurse would place a gloved hand into the vagina to the cervix and exert upward pressure against the presenting part to relieve compression of the cord.
• The nurse also would wrap the cord loosely in a sterile towel saturated with warm, sterile normal saline solution.
• Oxygen, 8 to 10 L/min by face mask, is administered to the mother to increase fetal oxygenation, and the client is prepared for immediate delivery. However, the immediate action is to relieve pressure on the cord.

*The client should already have an external fetal monitor in place.