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April 2016 Moms
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Two vessel cord

littlesockslittlesocks member
in April 2016 Moms
Hi everyone! I posted this on the multiples boards, but it's not that active so I'm posting it here too.
I'm 18 weeks along with identical mo/di twin boys (same placenta, separate sacs).
I went for my anatomy scan earlier this week and one of the boys (baby A) has a 2 vessel umbilical cord. Does anyone have any experience with this?

The doctor made sure I left feeling ok about the situation but of course, like an idiot, I started googling things and now I'm worried.

1. It can be a soft marker for trisomy 18. The tech nor doctor could see baby A's face because baby B's head was blocking it. So they will look in two weeks at my next appointment. But baby A's hands and head looked fine which could show other soft markers. Plus Baby B looked ok and I think they would both have trisomy 18 if one did, because they are identical, right?

2. The umbilical cord develops at the same time as the heart and kidneys. So this could mean there are problems with those organs (I actually read that on a bump article I found).

3. My doctor said it could cause growth problems because the baby isn't able to get enough nutrients. He said if I weren't already having twins and being monitored for growth they would start monitoring me closely because of this.

4. I'm sure there is more to be concerned about but I had to stop reading.
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Re: Two vessel cord

  • sarahuflsarahufl member
    I assume you mean a single umbilical artery? I have the same thing- but just 1 baby. I have no other markers for trisomy 18 or DS or anything, so apparently it usually isn't a big deal? Of course I am freaking out about it - but I've had about 5 weeks to process, which helps. I go in on Tuesday for my anatomy scan and a fetal echo. My doctor was pretty hopeful about it and my friend who is a very experienced L&D nurse said they usually don't pose problems and a lot of people don't realize they had it until birth.

    I was told there is a chance I will have to be induced earlier than 40 weeks but right now I am just getting extra growth monitoring. My baby was also in the top 80th percentile for growth at the time, so pretty freaking big, which I guess is also good news.

    Anyway, I know how you must be feeling. Stay off Google and just listen to your doctors. Good luck.


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  • NachosAndPeachesNachosAndPeaches member
    I just asked my dad whose a dr (but not an OB), and he said you're correct that one twin cannot have a trisomy and the other doesn't if they're identical. I didn't ask him further about the cord since it's not his specialty. I hope it turns out to be not a big deal at all!
    First BFP 12/2012, MMC at 9 weeks
    Second BFP 6/2013, resulted in DS, born 2/23/14 :-)
    Third BFP 5/2015, natural MC at 6 weeks
    Fourth BFP 8/2015, hoping for sticky little brother or sister to H!
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker

    Proud SAHM to our little monkey H. 
    Pro Vax, extended breasftfeeder, ring sling and stroller loving mama. I don't judge you unless you don't vaccinate!
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  • erind228erind228 member
    Sorry for the extra stress. Thinking about you, and I hope everything turns out fine.
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  • geminioftwogeminioftwo member
    https://www.komonews.com/news/health/Identical-twin-born-18-days-later-than-his-brother-in-Kirkland-334348451.html?mobile=y
    BabyFetus Ticker
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  • geminioftwogeminioftwo member
    Dr. Walker specializes in this. He's a family friend and I've heard many success stories!
    BabyFetus Ticker
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  • littlesockslittlesocks member
    geminioftwo said:

    Dr. Walker specializes in this. He's a family friend and I've heard many success stories!

    Yikes. Thank you for sharing.
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  • ilst777ilst777 member
    I had that with my prior pregnancy with twins. My daughter had two vessel cord. I was crazy worried the rest of my pregnancy but at the end I had healthy babies at 36 weeks and she is now 6 years old. I wish I didn't worry as much looking back and enjoyed my pregnancy more. Good luck and don't worry so much!
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