SUA(Single Umbilical Artery)

autumnrosepena · January 2016

What is a single umbilical artery?
About 1% of single babies and about 5% of multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets or more) have an umbilical cord that contains only two blood vessels, instead of the normal three. So, one artery is missing. The cause of this abnormality, called single umbilical artery is unknown.

And studies suggest that babies with single umbilical artery have an increased risk for birth defects... Including heart, central nervous system and urinary-tract defects and chromosomal abnormalities (2, 3).

That is what I was diagnosed with yesterday.. Or my umbilical cord.

Has anyone else had this and had a healthy baby?

gemini2005 · January 2016

Yes- my DS had this. We had no other markers and his growth was above average so no one was really concerned. I had extra ultrasounds and NST's and had no complications throughout the pregnancy. He was born at 8 lb 2 oz. a week early and completely healthy. They did an ultrasound to check his kidneys after he was born and they were perfect. Hope everything goes well for you guys, too. GL!

stayc24 · January 2016

I just found out that I also have SUA and I'm just trying not to get too stressed out about it. All other tests have so far came back good.

attagirl1113 · January 2016

We just found out Friday that our umbilical cord only has two vessles too. Trying not to freak out but his stomach and legs are measuring smaller which scares us.

birdmadgirl · January 2016

I found out at 18 weeks that I had single umbilical artery syndrome. I got told I would have monthly ultrasounds to check for growth because some babies can grow at a slower rate than others. Well it looks like I was one of the lucky ones that has a baby with IU GR because of SUA. At 31 weeks she is only weighing 2 lbs. 7 oz. and is in the 1 percentile. Now I have to have biophysical ultrasounds twice a week and a growth ultrasound every other week. Everything else is looking really good she is growing proportionately well and passing all of her bio physical exam but they will be inducing at 37 weeks as is protocol for most babies with IU GR. Good luck to you and I'm sure everything will be just fine. Most babies do great and have no problems. My coworker had a baby with SUA and had zero complications

ElizaAnne · January 2016

We found out about our sons SUA when we went in for the 3D ultrasound (where you get the awesome pictures) at 25 weeks. They also couldn't find his kidneys, his head/body were developing asymmetrically (his head was slightly too big), and he had low amniotic fluid. That appointment was on a Friday, by the very next Monday night he had died, and I was being rolled into the OR for an emergency C-section to save my life from the pre-eclampsia that had skyrocketed my BP to 192/117. To be clear I am not sure if the SUA is why he died, but on his certificate of fetal demise his cause of death is listed as "placental insufficiency". I would talk to your Dr, and make sure they monitor you very closely. LOTS of people go on to have healthy beautiful babies with SUA defect. Definitely be sure to drink TONS of water so that the single artery you do have can get as much blood/nutrients to your baby as possible(dehydration shrinks your blood vessels)! Good luck, and don't be afraid to call your Dr about anything weird or painful you feel.

Fergiegal · June 2016

My second son who is now 22 months, had this. He was born very healthy, and today he is a ball of energy to say the least! Thankfully, a healthy growing boy. I know two other women that had this with their pregnancies, and they also gave birth to very healthy babies..