SUA (Single Umbilical Artery) / "Two vessel cord"

mac-n-cheesy

hey ladies. I just found out during my 13w1d scan at the perinatologist on Friday that the baby has a SUA. I did a lot of research through legitimate medical references as well as published peer-reviewed articles in medical journals since finding out so I know I have a good grasp on what it is, the potential defects it is correlated with and the fact that I am now high-risk and will need very frequent monitoring due to the risk of kidney/cardiac issues with my baby as well as IUGR.
So, my main question is if there are any mama's out there who are going through this as well or have had this with a previous pregnancy? I'm just very worried and would love to know the personal experiences of anyone who has gone through this.
I found out on Friday from the US tech and the report wasn't ready for either the perinatologist or my OB to go over the results and what exactly this means for MY pregnancy. Obviously I've been avoiding Google but I'd love to hear from anyone who has gone through this, whether the outcome was good, challenging, or not so good. I'm a nervous wreck :-S

susiaustin

I don't but I played doctor google for you to get info that was reliable. I'm praying that nothing is wrong for you and you just get extras pictures
https://www.thebump.com/a/two-vessel-cord
https://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/ask-heidi/two-vessel-cord.aspx
https://www.smfm.org/publications/104-single-umbilical-artery-what-you-need-to-know

mac-n-cheesy

@susiaustin thank you
I saw too that it can lead to or indicate some not so good things or just means a lot of extra appointments and monitoring too. Really hoping for the latter :-S

susiaustin

Welcome @lynem29 wish I could give you some insight but this my first one

Catherine1021

I don't really know much about it, but I have a friend that had this with her 3rd pregnancy. She was very worried about it and had a lot of extra monitoring, but her baby was born full-term and healthy. He is now a very active 4yo boy. I hope you have similar results!

kaeli03

My son had a two vessel cord and we didnt even find out until he was born. I did my whole pregnancy normal. And he's now a healthy 9 month old

tiffbomb

I'm mostly a lurker but wanted to chime in because my first baby had this. MOST of the time, babies with a two vessel cord are born completely healthy. Occasionally, it causes issues with growth so you will be monitored more closely. My son was born totally healthy and had no issues from the two vessel cord. Prayers that yours will be also!

JilleeS

Hello! I'm due at the end of December and just found out at my last midwife apt (from my 13 week ultrasound) that there is a good chance they only saw a two vessel cord. They will confirm at 20 week anatomy scan. I'm silly and googled.... Shouldn't have done that! I am trying not to stress out, however an increases chance of abnormalities and complications for his baby really gets me worried. I've read and heard that quite often these babies are born perfectly healthy! Trying to stay positive and avoid stressing about it. I just wanted to touch base with someone else who received similar news. Hope you're coping well! Were you moved to high risk right after your 13 week ultrasound? As of right now they told me it could be incorrect and they won't confirm until 20 weeks.

Thanks!

GenH83

I'm currently 16 weeks pregnant with my second and am having the anatomy scan at 20 weeks to check for SUA. I had it when I was pregnant with my son 3 1/2 years ago. They discovered it at 20 weeks and I was then listed as "high risk" and had to have an ultrasound every two weeks to ensure that he was growing and developing at healthy timelines. I was always told via the doctor after the scans and ultrasounds that he was measuring good and seemed to be developing normally. When I was 37 weeks I had my normal scan completed and they advised that he was "measuring" in at almost 9 pounds and since he was breach they recommended a C-section at 38 weeks, he was born 6lbs 13oz. 17in. completely healthy. The scans and ultrasounds are wonderful but not always an exact science. The only "side effect" we noticed with him was he is going to have a small build, my husband is 6'4 and I am 5'6, both are families are tall and the pedi doctor tells us that my son will be luck to be as tall as 5'8. He also has a super fast metabolism (he's 3 1/2 and still wears size 24M/2T shorts) but other then his petite built he is a ball of healthy energy! I hope this helps! I was so worried about it when I was in your position but the best thing to do is not stress to much about it. 

cdv2015

I had this with my second daughter. She had cardiac issues, but I think that was attributed more to her genetic abnormality than the cord. I'm sorry I can't be of much help, but she made it all the way to 38+5 when we delivered. She is small, but again... genetic abnormality means average height is 4'9".

Prayers for you and LO!!

fitmama89

Lurker from Nov!
Just wanted to say that at my NT Scan the Perinatologist thought that our baby had a SUA. I was pretty worried about it and when I went back for my anatomy scan (18 weeks) they found the 3rd artery. My doctor said babies at 12ish weeks are really tiny and that not everything can be seen. Hoping all turns out well for you and baby

JilleeS

Thanks for sharing! It's good to hear that other people received this news and had positive outcomes! Cdv2015 I'm sorry your daughter had cardiac issues. I hope she's doing well!!

It's so hard not to worry...but important not to let the stress get to you. I'm such a worrier as it is! Lol