24 wk update- Single Umbilical Artery/Two Vessel Cord... anyone else?

sillyhilly

At my MW appointment yesterday afternoon, the midwife informed me that at my u/s there was one small anomaly- that the umbilical cord only has two vessels rather than the normal three (one vein and one artery as opposed to one vein and two arteries).  She said it happens in about 5% of pregnancies and CAN be associated with trisomy 13 or 18 or other issues (cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and central nervous system) but because neither my nuchal translucency or my big u/s showed any other issues she said in all likelihood it would make little difference.  About 1/2 to 2/3 of all these babies are born perfectly normal. 

It's is possible that the third vessel could not be seen on the u/s so when Jack is born they'll check to see if it's indeed a two or three vessel cord.  They'll also want to make sure he's still growing in the last weeks as babies with this sometimes are more prone to develop IUGR.  Other than that, if he does have a two vessel cord, they just do ultrasounds on his kidneys and heart and such at birth just to double check that everything is okay.

I found this article on it, but am not going to worry myself with the maybes when my MW seems pretty positive.

Otherwise the appointment was good.  I'm up 3lbs over pre-PG weight which is almost exactly where I was this time last time.  Urine and BP were good.  HB was 139.  Measuring right on.  I will have to do the 3hr glucose test before my next appointment and will go back in 4 weeks.  After that she said every two weeks.  That seems early to me... am I really so far along that I need to go every two weeks soon?!?  WOW!

Anyone else with the Single Umbilical Artery/Two Vessel Cord either this pregnancy or previously?  It's more common in multiple births.  Love to hear about it.

 

Oh, and the MW commented on how big I am already too.  She was surprised that I was only up 3lbs given the size of my belly.  But of course I was pretty big with Rose too and she was 9lbs 7oz and I only gained 17lbs last time.  I guess I just carry big. 

frootloop

oh sillyhilly.. DO NOT GOOGLE SUA

avery had it and shes perfect... we scared ourselves so badly by googling

we had a level II u/s which found nothing else to worry about, then we had biophysicals every week started at 30 weeks

after she was born we had to ultrasound her .. geez i forget if it was liver or kidneys, but they were fine too

sillyhilly

Yeah, I googled it already but my MW was very positive so other than just closer screening than last time I'm trying not to worry until we have reason to. 

frootloop

yep they watched us very closely

i know its so scary *hugs* but try not to worry yourself.. stress isnt good for either of you

also, my dr was not going to allow me to go past my EDD i would have been induced but i went on my own

WinsyWade

Silly Hilly!  How are you?  Congrats on your 2nd pg!  I haven't seen you in a long time.  Good luck with everything.  I hope all is well and healthy with you and baby Jack (And Rose too)!

Tonto12

I had it and my little boy was fine.  My OB said it was nothing to worry about.

mrsmitch06

They found the same thing at my 20 week U/S.  I went back 4 weeks later for another U/S and it was fine.  I have heard of many people having this and the babies turned out fine.  The worst thing you can do is google anything.  I told myself I woudn't google anything that they told me at my appointments. If I did I'd be a wreck right now!   Good luck!

Summer_0510

I don't have it, I'm sorry, but DH works in pathology at one of our big hospitals so he sees a lot of placentas and cords that need further testing after delivery. He said a lot of times the two vessel cord turns out just fine.  Sadly, they have a lot of inner city patients who can't afford proper health care and those are the ones they worry about most because the baby wasn't properly monitored throughout the pg and they make up a lot of the statistics you may read about. Good luck!  I'm sure everything will be great!