anyone? single umbilical artery?

[darrakath]

Last week at 19 weeks I went in to have my scan and the midwife has just called to say everything looks fine but that the scan could only detect one umbilical artery and one vein when usually there is two umbilical arteries and one vein...apparently sometimes (I am clinging to the "sometimes") there is a link with defects, particularly the heart or kidneys. I'm sure much of the time there is nothing to worry about but I have been advised to have another scan at 28 weeks to check the baby is growing well. I am a natural worrier and worse than ever since this news and since I had a missed miscarriage with my previous (and only other) pregnancy. I would love any advice, reassurance, truth. The midwife said they used not to even tell mothers this as it so rarely is a problem. I guess I am just stressing that she was not telling the truth in that she said everything else was okay. I guess I have also had a huge education in that I thought the reason they did scans at 19/20 weeks was that if there was a problem it would have made itself obvious now, whereas now I know lots of problems still can develop. I wish I was religious so I could pray for a healthy baby. Anyone heard of this or have any advice?

[aardvark]

DD#2 had this, and she is now nearly 5, and completely fine.

[xkwzit]

Hi Kath
Our close friends had this also and their baby was born at term, a little underweight (but her Mum is a rake - you know can't put ON weight :confused: ) but otherwise absolutely OK. She is now a very active 2 yo.

Cheers

[darrakath]

thanks for your thoughts out there....good things to hear......thanks a lot for taking the time to reply....I really appreciate it.

[JanetF]

Most babies have 3, some 2 and some 1. It used to be thought that fewer than 3 meant kidney problems or other stuff but that's now been mostly disproven. It's scary when tests throw up stuff like this. I don't think most women have enough support around prenatal tests and they have pretty high rates of false positives. I bet your wee one is just fine!

[darrakath]

I really appreciate everyone's reassurance...I know there is only a slightly higher chance of problems and heaps of babies with this are born big bonny and healthy......but you can't help wondering, and worrying.....thanks for your good cheery thoughts.....

[darrakath]

who may be finding out for the first time they have SUA/2 vessel cord.....my baby is actually measuring large for dates (both ultrasounds I have had since then confirm this), so my worries about growth retardation in the womb were unfounded...also upon close examination both the heart and the kidneys appear fine (these are worries with sua sometimes) along with all the other organs examined...I have had 2 doctors who specialise in this area tell me the baby appears very healthy......fingers crossed for a healthy baby soon (I am now almost 38 weeks) and a relatively happy birth....

[xkwzit]

Thanks for taking the time to update us Kath. Your news will help other ppl who come here with the same questions.

Best wishes for your birth, enjoy the ride :thumbsup:

[Tea Lady]

What a relief darrakath!! Make sure you let us know how it goes when you have your bub! :)