Single Umbilical Artery (SUA)

robotgal · December 2014

Has anyone else in our birth month been diagnosed with a Single Umbilical Artery (two vessel cord)? Both the doctor that reviewed our anatomy scan results and my OBGyn acted like it was no big deal (the ultrasound doc repeated the phrase "no big deal" several times), but information online paints a much scarier picture. I'm being referred for a fetal echocardiogram at 22 weeks and an additional ultrasound in the 3rd trimester to monitor growth, but that's it. I was told I probably won't be able to get a NIPT (like MaterniT21/Panorama/Harmony/Verifi) because I'm too young (I'll be 34 when the baby is born) and my OBGyn didn't seem to think an amnio was warranted because the rest of the scan looked normal.

I'm just curious if others' doctors were similarly unconcerned, or if they recommended additional testing/monitoring beyond the fetal echo.

LexiSophie55 · December 2014

They thought I had this at one of my 25 ultrasounds last pregnancy. As time goes on, I would maybe ask for some follow up. The ultrasound in the 3rd trimester will let them know if it is serious.

Try to stay calm and call them with questions if you can't relax...that is their job.

tiggyt · December 2014

One of my colleagues had that condition with both of her pregnancies, and she talks about it like it was no big deal. For her first pregnancy, she was in a smaller town and they weren't concerned about it at all. She was here for her second pregnancy (major university hospital), and they also said it was no big deal, but wanted to monitor her very closely after that, which she was kind of annoyed about, but grateful they were watching it.

It sounds like your doctor wants to take the extra precautions, which is a good thing. But it seems like this condition is really nothing to worry about, and any of the scary things you're reading about online (ps - don't read those) could easily be detected and avoided by the extra monitoring, if they turn out to affect anything.

brose1117 · December 2014

I don't have experience here but just wanted to send my thoughts and prayers your way. Also, try not to google! If there is one piece of advice I've been given by numerous drs throughout my sisters tumor diagnosis, it is to stop googling. It's hard! But often google searches bring up only sort of similar but not the same scenarios and cause more worry or unfortunately false hope.

SassFrass · December 2014

my MIL had this with DH. They never were able to tell her exactly what would be wrong when he was born, other than he cold possibly have significant problems. When he was born he ended up not having properly developed kidneys. He had to have drainage tubes and lots of surgeries throughout the first couple of years of his life. However, I will say, he is a perfectly healthy wonderful person, this was 24 years ago, so I believe technology has significantly developed since then. With proper monitoring and things, you should be in good hands! Prayers for you and your DH as yal go through this!

Nebean · December 2014

I was diagnosed with a SUA with my last pregnancy. Basically, 1/3 of the time it's associated with genetic abnormalities/malformations (which would be obvious at your 20 week scan) and 2/3 of the time, the baby is completely healthy or born with only minor issues. My OB said the biggest concern was growth, so we had ultrasounds every month to make sure he was growing properly. Otherwise, he was born perfectly healthy! Hope this helps put your mind at ease and don't torture yourself by googling it (like I did

). Good luck!

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