I mostly lurk here but I haven't been able to stop thinking about this. I had my 31 week checkup on Monday, and Dr wants to start every other week now. She had said last time that I might get a 2nd u/s before my due date, but at this visit she said baby and I are healthy enough that unless something comes up, I don't need another u/s. We've been blessed with a strangely smooth pregnancy. No morning sickness or bleeding, "perfect" readings on blood pressure, etc. It's almost weird to me that nothing out of the ordinary has happened. Anyway, at our 20 wk anatomy scan, baby was measuring 2 days behind but Dr said that's not even enough to change my due date and she'd most likely catch up. Baby looked healthy on the scan, and she's been growing enough and moving a lot (way stronger than I expected!). So right before the visit ended, Dr mentions that baby's left kidney was 2.1cm dilated; she said normal is 4 cm but the dilation wasn't enough to cause any concern. I told Dr that my sister has a left duplex system (meaning she has 2 joined kidneys on the left side) and asked if it could be related. Dr said she would look at the u/s again and see if it could be, but said baby definitely only has 1 kidney on each side and it's not an issue. I guess I'm just concerned cuz when my sister was born, she was preemie and had some scary health issues. She had to stay in the hospital for a while, and at the time a duplex system wasn't very well researched. They weren't sure she was gonna make it, but she did and is totally healthy except for some self-inflicted problems from enjoying college a little too much. I read up on it though and apparently there's a genetic predisposition to it. I trust my Dr but I also would rather know now if something's wrong, and I'm going to bring it up again at the next visit. It kinda made me realize that an easy (so far) pregnancy doesn't guarantee anything. I guess I just needed somewhere to talk about it. Sorry this was so long!
Re: LO's kidneys..
I have come to realize that I am not too sure an "easy" pregnancy is on the cards for any of us. I constantly worry about if there will be something wrong with LO. I am sure this is only the beginning of the worry she will cause me over the years to come! and thats putting aside my cramping, sickness, fatigue, mood swings, fat days etc..
The best thing is to try not to get too stressed about it. They can do so much with technology these days, they can clearly see the kidneys on each side. We had a similar situation at my first u/sound and that was that her ureter was enlarged so it could mean a blockage. after over a month went by we had another and it turned out it was nothing, no enlargement they must of measured or seen something else I.e the umbilical cord may of been in the way. But I still worry even though I have reassurance from my Dr. I just think its normal to worry no matter what!
Easier said than done, you have some weeks to go yet try not to get too worked up. Have another anatomy scan, and hopefully that will put your mind at rest! and good luck!!
I agree!! I am in a very similar situation. On my 20 week u/s they found mild dilation in both kidneys. I am having a follow up u/s at my glucose screening this monday. I totally understand your worries, I would just ask if you can get another u/s to see your LO progress, so if nothing else, it helps you feel more relaxed about the situation.
It's good to hear that this is common but usually resolves itself! Thanks everyone for the reassurance. The Dr said it was pretty common to see, especially early on, and that it usually fixes itself. I'm definitely asking for another look though, just to be sure!
Nellebelle- we're having a girl I hope it turns out to be nothing for your LO too!