When the umbilical cord is under pressure or compressed, a doctor diagnoses the mother and baby with umbilical cord compression. Umbilical cord compression can restrict the baby's oxygen flow, and the baby's heart rate can decrease. A doctor can identify the baby's slowed heart rate by using a fetal heart monitor. 

Healthcare providers should administer treatments if the fetal heart rate remains irregular. Healthcare providers may provide oxygen to the mother and administer medications to stop or slow labor contractions. Doctors may also have the mother change body positions, and they may perform an amnioinfusion. An amnioinfusion is a procedure to add fluid if a lack of amniotic fluid is causing the compressed umbilical cord. Doctors may choose to perform a cesarean section if none of the treatment options are alleviating the cord compression. A cesarean section is necessary to prevent injuries to the baby due to lack of oxygen from the cord compression.