two-vessel cord

livvielo

Does anyone have this? I had my OB appt this morning and apparently everything at the anatomy scan looked fine except I have a 2 vessel umbilical cord. I'm in shock right now and feel upset...or sad...I don't know what it is. I'm not super worried about baby's health--my doc said the biggest risk is a smaller baby (and there's no implication for stunted growth once the baby is born), and there's a very small risk of fetal morbidity at the very end, but they're going to monitor me very closely--monthly growth u/s until month 8, then weekly along with other testing to make sure she's fine. So I feel like we're going to be properly and thoroughly monitored, which reassures me.

But what's making me disappointed? that's not the right word...worried/sad, whatever I'm feeling...is that because the later it gets the more complications there can be, I can't go past my due date. Which means induction is a likely possibility. I really had wanted to avoid it. And with induction means a higher risk of c-section, another thing I'd hoped to avoid (I guess I really wanted to try this naturally).

Any thoughts? Anyone going through this too? I may post on SAIF too. Sigh. 

BarefootContess

Anytime you get news that is less than ideal, there is bound to be some disappointment.  A friend had a single vessel cord and did end up having to deliver early but her little boy is doing great. 

I would allow yourself a certain amount of time to feel disappointed and then try to stay focused on the positives:  the baby is healthy, you have good care, etc.  And you will get to see your baby a lot from the extra u-s.  

Finally, while being induced does raise the risk for c-s, not everyone ends up with one.  Hopefully, you'll be in that category.    

livvielo

Thanks for your reply! You're totally right, focusing on the positive is the thing to do here (funny, I gave H a pep talk after I told him, saying that our baby is healthy, everything else is normal, we just get more ultrasounds and pictures and we're in good care). I know that the most important outcome is a healthy baby, no matter how she gets here.  

Julia-Henry

It sounds like your dr is great - careful and proactive, AND you get lots of extra pics of LO. That's good.

 It's always scary when things aren't perfect with our pregnancies or our babies - that's a normal, healthy reaction.  And it will help you to remain extra attentive and careful. And if you do have to have a c/s, they aren't bad at all. I loved mine, and have already siigned up for c/s #2.

Don't worry. All will be well.

Laura Cochran

I'm sorry. I know that the only thing we ever want to hear about our LO and pregnancy is that it's perfect. The good news is that you are under good care and it sounds like your LO is going to be just fine. The goal is a healthy baby not necessarily a picture perfect delivery. Good luck.

Peppernut

I have a two-vessel cord!

She was really small for a little while there, they actually had me up my calorie intake to make up for it.  Her low point was 3rd percentile, growth-wise, now she's up at the 22nd.  I also get a lot of ultrasounds to check growth, and I was told to start "kick counts" at 25 weeks.  So far, so good!

I'm with you, it feels really scary even though I know everything is most likely just fine.  I really really want to avoid induction and C-section as well, so I'm crossing my fingers that she comes a bit early on her own, somehow.  I had an amnio, so I have reassurance she's otherwise healthy.

DuffOliver

I had one with DD. She was born under 6 lbs and is a total hellion, but she is very healthy! I was nervous my whole pg.

I was induced at 39w, and she was born vaginally.

I was worried it would recur when I was pg with DS, but it didn't.

You can email me at duffoliver@gmail dot com if you have any other questions.

mommy_bear

My Baby B has a single umbilical artery too. A fetal echocardiogram ruled out any heart complications which could be detected thus far. And, we routinely get growth measurements. We are happy he is measuring right on target. (Our OB did mention getting steroid shots to boost his lung development if PTL seems to be immenent). With no other "markers" you should feel confident your LO will be just fine.  

You will also find lots of SUA ladies on the High Risk Board.

 

livvielo

Ladies, thank you all for your replies. I've been on my own today (off from work, H works very late tonight) so it has been an up and down day--so reading these responses has helped!

I'm really glad we had the amnio, as I know that the baby is healthy otherwise (and she's measuring fine--average on everything). I'm mad that I'm considered high risk now, you know? Anyway, I know 100% that staying positive is going to be crucial for me and H, and I do feel good about my doc and the monitoring we'll do.

Thanks again--it helps to hear how others are dealing with a less-than-perfect situation!