Calling All SUA (Single Umbilical Artery) Moms!

Andreaw1124

Hi, Ladies!

 

I was diagnosed with a 2-Vessel Cord (Single Umbilical Artery) at our 19-week Ultrasound. I had posted a few months back trying to reach out to other mothers (on the 0-6 month board, and High-Risk Board) that have also been diagnosed looking for their outcomes and recommendations and their experience. I really didn?t get much response?so figured I would try again to see who might be out there.

 

Was just looking to see if you could share your experience so far (if they have found any other markers, what your doctor?s concerns are, extra NSTs, ultrasounds, and any talk of induction at a certain mile-marker). 

 

We had two visits with a specialist who ruled out any other markers, and started weekly NST?s at 32 weeks.  We had a growth ultrasound at 32 weeks also, and another scheduled for 36 weeks to make sure that baby stays above the 20^th percentile (right now he is in the 50^th).  Everything seems to be going well as of right now?but I?m starting to get very anxious with the risk of stillborn hanging over my head.  Every day I feel him alive and kicking makes me even more anxious knowing that anything can happen. 

 

Please share your stories and your experience.  I?m curious to know what others are going through with this same issue.

 

Thanks!

trish_edmon

I just read your response in my original post.  I am sorry that I missed your original post.  It sounds like your doctor is being very proactive, which is great.  My doctor has been watching me quite closely as well.  I did see the perinatologist when I was around 20 weeks, shortly after the SUA was discovered at 16 weeks.  They did a Maternal Serum Screen at that point to rule out any disorders since I had declined the Triple Screen.  My doctor has delivered many SUA's and he has never had one turn out badly, which does make me feel better and my step mother was a director in a hospital and asked her colleage in L&D and she said something similar.  I certainly understand how you are feeling in terms of your looming EDD, I feel the same way, the closer it gets the more anxious I get.  I have had a few days now where baby won't move so I head to the hospital and get checked out, and everytime all is good.  My last visit the baby didn't respond that well but they sent me for an u/s and nst the next day and she looked "AMAZING" so again I felt relieved.  Thankfully my baby has been measuring ahead the entire time and is just now leveling off to her current dates now. 

There is for sure another mom on this board with SUA, K-I-S-S-I-N-G.

I have to go and put my son to bed, but I wanted to just suggest to stay away from google, when I first found out about the SUA I scared my self.  If you have questions, talk to your doctor.  I agree that knowledge is power, but Google will scare the SH!T out of you.

Feel free to PM me at any time.

K-I-S-S-I-N-G

Hi, I am SUA! I had the 12 week screening done which came back all clear, and then the SUA was discovered at 20 week u/s. I then had a level II which confirmed the SUA and also that it was isolated-no other chromosomal defects or abnormalities. I had another level II at 26 weeks, again everything was great. Since then my doctors have been really lax about it and it seems that everything will be smooth sailing. I did voice some concern to them a couple weeks ago that even though I was happy they were not concerned, for my own peace of mind, I would like a little closer monitoring now that I am at the end (because of the IUGR/stillborn risk.) So at 36 weeks I had a NST which came back fine and another level II u/s- at 36 weeks baby was guessed to be 6lb 8oz and in 75% for size- so again my fears of growth restrictions were relieved.

I feel really confident that everything is going to be fine with this pregnancy and I that I am going to deliver a healthy baby girl, and if not, well we will cross that bridge when it comes. It is relief enough just to be full term, based on the amount of worrying I have done this pregnancy!! Trish_edmon and I have talked several times about our experiences since we are both SUA and due pretty much the same day. I know she is scheduled to go in to deliver next Friday, I have a scheduled c-section at 39 weeks 4 days (two weeks from today.) As she said, googling SUA will scare the crap out of you and most of that doesn?t apply anyways if your SUA is isolated. Just be really mindful of your baby?s movements and make sure lo is active enough. I am looking forward to some SUA deliveries soon so we can get more updates!!!

trish_edmon

Sorry, I can respond a bit better now that my little guy is asleep but K-I-S-S-I-N-G pretty much touched on that.  My doctor did perform regular ultrasounds and everything has been great so far.  My doctor didn't mention induction until last week when I asked him, so check with your doctor at your next appointment.

Andreaw1124

 

Hi trish-edmon!

Thanks for your reply.  Sounds like your doctor is doing a great job also.  My doctor did say the same thing...has delivered many baby's with SUA, never really had an issues.  She did mention that it wasn't until a few years ago that they could even detect SUA through Ultrasound...and the only way the knew there was a 2-Vessel cord was AFTER a perfectly healthy baby was born. Overall this whole experience has been some what re-assuring with the NST's and extra ultrasounds.  At the 32-week ultrasound...he was also measuring about 1.5 weeks ahead. The perinatologist did mention in his report that he would like me to deliver at 39 weeks (which I guess is what most pernatologists are recommending for any mother's that have anything out of the norm).  My doc said that if everything looks like it is on lock-down at 39 weeks, she may start progressing things along (although she mentioned she HATES to do this for first-time mothers).  I have had a few quiet days also, and I will set a "time" in my head that if he does not start giving me warm fuzzies with his movements...that I will call the doc or go to the hospital, but he has always met the deadline (especially after me drinking a large glass of OJ).  My doctors rule of thumb is...If I have felt NO movement ALL Day, to come home after work, drink 16 ounces of OJ, and lay on my left side for 2 hours and wait for 8 kicks.  Seems like ALL day is a long time to go without feeling any movement...but I'm glad we haven't had to go there yet.

I also learned to stay away from Google (best friend, yet worst enemy).  I felt much more reassured after the perinatalogist ruled out all other markers). Thank you for sharing your experience and story.  Please also feel free to PM me as well, and I wish you a smooth delivery next week. 

Thanks again.

 

Andreaw1124

Oh, Hey...K-I-S-S-I-N-G!

I remember that you were one of very few that chimed in during the midst of my freak-out a few months back! I recognize your siggy and the cute little boy in it (-:  Thanks again for another response.  Thought there would be many more expecting mothers on here with SUA (considering the stats suggest it occurs in 1 in 100 pregnancies), but I guess not! 

Is your scheduled C-Section due to the SUA, or had you had a previous C-Section for a previous birth? I know the risk of C-Section is increased with SUA, but wasn't sure if the reason  your C-Section is set is due to the  SUA alone.

Glad to hear that everything is still on track for you and baby girl. I can't wait to hear how your deliveries go, and am wishing you the absolute best in the next few weeks. 

One thing the pediatrician that we have decided on mentioned to us after baby is born, is that she will be doing an ultrasound on the kidney's before we are sent home.  Have you guys talked to your pediatricians about any concerns or any special measures they will be taking due to the SUA after baby is born?  She told us to remind the L&D crew after the baby is born to look for the 2-Vessel and make sure that it is noted in his charts. 

Thanks again ladies.

 

K-I-S-S-I-N-G

Yeah, I have to have a C/S b/c I had one with my son and I am not a VBAC candidate, nothing to do with the SUA!