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2nd Trimester
HoneyBunny678
member
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Only one functioning kidney!
HoneyBunny678
member
We had the 20 week ultrasound I thought to only find out the baby's gender. It's a girl, and we are ecstatic!
The tech took so long with the ultrasound I got worried and asked her what the issue was, she showed s the heart beat and said it sounded good. Well that's when she said the doctor would have to come in. And I got even more worried. My husband kept my spirits up while we wanted talking with me about he couldn't wait to pay for our daughters wedding, we only go married about 7 months ago and had to deal with cost and family issues of our own.
Well when the doctor finally came in he said to me that our LO has one kidney that never developed from the beginning - moment of conception - and another
kidney that looks great and it working well. Then he said the only impact on
our LO's life as a kid would be - no contact sports - because we wouldn't want
anything to happen to the good kidney. And that Doctor there could be impact later in life that adult could develop high blood pressure but other than one kidney we have a totally healthy baby.
Of course the news hit me hard, I was diagnosed with gestasional diabetes at about 12 weeks and have been taking Glyburide (7.5mg). The doctor said here is no chance of my diabetes or any meds I am taking would have caused this. It's
just a thing that happens. He also said that if ultrasound we are using wasn't so clear you wouldn't even know cause baby look healthy and will function healthy.
I just want us to be extra careful and get all the advice we can.
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Re: Only one functioning kidney!
Honey, typically, physical anomalies happen WAYYYYY too early on in pregnancy for your week 12 onset GD to make an impact like that.
All of the organs are at least present by 9 weeks (7wks fetal age). Do NOT beat yourself about what you could have done. I also have a child with anomalies that have no known cause, renal anomalies included. He is a VERY typical child despite his physical differences.
Try to stay positive about such a GREAT prognosis!! Congratulations on Team Pink!! Good luck with names!!
Here is a quick story to make you feel better. My mother went through menapause, but got her period a couple of times, so her doctor sent her into get an ultrasound to make sure that everything was ok (which it was). While at the ultrasound, the tech said, oh did you donate your kidney? My mother started laughing saying no, and the tech then went quiet and brought someone else in. Apparently my mother has the same issue that your dd does (only one kidney developed), but she never knew. The doctor asked if she had children (my mom had 4), if she had ever drank (my mother loves her wine) and if she ever had some other issues of which she had none - high blood pressure, increased UTIs, etc. Nope none. Now she never played contact sports, bc she grew up in the 50/60s, but did everything else.
When she told me, I asked if she needed one of my kidneys, which she promptly replied, 'why do you think you have 2 kidneys?' I was born in the 70s so no ultrasounds then, so honestly i have no idea if i have 2 either (but with my kids, the doctors always check to make sure there are 2 kidneys in the 20 week ultrasound bc i am at a higher risk).
Good luck and it has to be terrifying, bc you just want everything to be perfect. Just wanted to let you know from someone who lived a totally normal life, with extra stress on her body with 4 kids, that all was ok.
Please listen to the doc when the tell you it was nothing you did. PP is right. These things happen EXTREMELY early. I'm so sorry you got this kind of news, and I know it's not easy to see the up side, but think of how much worse it could have been. I know that may not be super helpful right at this very moment, but I guarantee in time it will turn out not to be the end of the world. You will STILL have a perfectly healthy baby. She just won't be able to be a WWF wrestler!
Keep your chin up hon. Your baby is still perfect.
I rarely post and mostly just lurk, but wanted to let you know that my daughter was born with only one functioning kidney- she has multicystic dysplastic kidney disease. She takes antibiotics every other day to keep her from getting UTIs and has to be checked out when she has a fever incase of a UTI, but other than that there are no issues. We were told by her specialist that you never want something to be wrong, but if something is going to be wrong, this is one of the better things. He also is okay with her playing contact sports. We just have to be careful with trampolines, sled riding, and ATVs. Actually the most dangerous situation is in a car so we're extremely big on carseat safety and she'll probably remain rearfacing for a long time.
I'd suggest asking your OB to refer you to a pediatric urologist or nephrologist to consult with before the baby is born. It helps to set up a plan and, at least for us, helped to eliminate some of our worries. Most likely, you'll also end up being followed more closely at the end of your pregnancy with ultrasounds and non-stress tests just to check on the baby and your fluid levels.
I'll try to remember to check back on this post, so let me know if you have any questions.
I know it is upsetting news, but please don't think you did anything to cause it. Sometimes these things just happen. Trust me, when I say, your child will function just fine with one kidney.
I have lived with one kidney since I was 13 (I'm 35 now) and have absolutely zero problems related to kidney function. The no contact sports thing was not a big issue for me since I am clumsy and uncoordinated anyway. My single kidney, thankfully, has been doing just fine for much longer than I ever had both.
Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy!
My sister was born with only one kidney, no one knew until she was 17 years old and had an MRI for something else. She was very active in sports and dance and is now 28 years old with a healthy 18 month old.
We want our babies to be 100% perfect, and I'm sorry you are dealing with this right now, but just know if this is all you have to worry about then I think you are in good shape.
I would just like you to know that I can speak from first hand experience. I only have one kidney. I found out when I was 11 yrs old. I was having an ultrasound for an unrelated stomach issue and they asked my mother when did I have my kidney removed. They never knew. I played softball, basketball and was one of the most active kids in the neighborhood before and after finding out about my kidney. I never had a UTI until last year and then one since being pregnant. I have never been on any medications or anything. I have a sister who has 2 perfectly functioning kidneys who has a UTI almost every other month. She is just prone to them. Every year at my physical my PCP runs blood work to check kidney function and it is perfect. This pregnancy they are calling "High Risk" just because of the one kidney and they are watching the function, my blood pressure, and UTI a lot closer then they would with a normal pregnancy.
I dont think you have anything to worry about. I always think of the medical advances they have now versus 16 yrs ago when I found out I only had one kidney. Like PP have said of course we want our babies to come out 100% perfect, but in the big picture of life, this is just a minor speed bump!
We also discovered our baby only has one kidney at our anatomy scan. It is extremely scary and we have spoke with several doctors about it including a pediatric urologist. They all said the same thing most likely everything will be fine-people live with one kidney all the time.
If you want more info of what I've been told feel free to private message me. Everything I've been told by the docs though has been extremely positive although obviously as a mom you want everything to be "perfect."
My sister is 11, and she too only has one functioning kidney. She had a really bad UTI/kidney infection, and was constipated so bad, it was backed up all the way up all the way to her chest. They discovered then that only one kidney worked... no idea what its functioning level before was.
Her Dr. advised them to limit her sodium intake, as well as her sugary drinks/foods, and told them to give her lots of water. She is able to play contact sports, dance, ride bikes, etc. They aren't as strict as I would be about her food and drinks, and the only thing that really affects her day-to-day life is my stepmom has to tell her to go to the restroom every couple of hours, as do her teachers. She's lost the urge to pee feeling, and if she doesn't go often, she is at risk for some serious UTIs.
Thank you everyone for your advice, we are checking into a pediatric urologist that would be covered by our insurance and a pediatrician that has experience with this. We also found out that there is approx 1 out of every 750 people that have only one kidney and most live 100% healthily. I appreciate all the support on these boards.
Hi Steph
I am 28 and had my kidney removed when I was 14. I am now pregnant :-D, but I have fears/worries over only having one kidney and the increased urinating. It is so comforting to finally find someone in my position. I would love to talk with you or just stay in contact to help ease my fears. I had a dream the other night I had to go on dialysis while pregnant. Do you see a urogynecologist or a regular ob/gyn? I go for my first appointment May 10th.
Thank you!
Laura