Single Umbilical Artery

My girlfriend is going through the same thing right now. After the initial results they told her the baby was missing a kidney. The next test after that showed that she had both kidneys but one is located in a different place than it should. Otherwise everything else is going okay for her. She has 6 weeks left in her pregnancy

My husband's cousin had this and her son is a very active 4 year old now, no complications. So see your doctor and do as they ask, take care of yourself and enjoy this special time. Hugs, D.

My very close friend just had a baby in january with that same issue. of course she was worried throughout the pregnancy, but the frequent dr visits kept her informed and a little more at ease. don't get too worried, because stress can be bad for the baby, too (my last pregnancy was high risk as well, and my stress made it WORSE)...

well, just want to tell you that EVERYTHING with my friend's awesome little baby is 100% ok. he's an extremely healthy, happy, big baby...

so, yes- PRAY and take it easy. And you should get the echocardiogram because there COULD be issues you wouldn't see with the sono, and you NEED to know! Hope all goes well, and I will pray for your little angel, too:)

Lots of hugs for you and your little one!

Sorry, I have not been through this and I have also never ever heard of it. Hopefully further tests will be more accurate as to what all is going on with your babies developement in utero. I hope and pray that all goes well and that your baby is born without serious complications. Best wishes.

I have not had this experience, but the 18/20 week sonogram should have looked at the development of the heart and kidneys, etc. They should already know if there are any obvious problems.

If your OB "sees this a lot," I would be a lot less concerned. He/she is likely looking at the other evidence.

I also had an SUA with my youngest son who is nearing 3 years old and was told that there were many things that could be wrong with the baby but that the chances of anything really coming of it were not worth talking about. My husband and I really felt like things were 'different' with that pregnancy and continued trying to get the OB to listen and get additional sonograms but we were not being heard. Turns out our son was born with Achondroplasia...we were told this was as a result of something happening at conception so I am uncertain whether or not it has anything to do with the SUA or not. Regardless, we were surprised but wouldn't change anything...he is such a special and joyful little boy and has brought so much sunshine into our lives! The only advice that I would give to you is to keep an open line of communication with your doctor and if you are not being 'heard' regarding your concerns I would absolutely try to find another OB who will listen and give you more information; not tell you that the chances of anything 'happening' are minimal. I am not trying to scare you but to make sure you know it is okay to seek answers and push hard for them. Like I said, we wouldn't change anything about our son but it would have been nice to learn of his condition prior to delivery so we could have been a little more prepared.

I had the same exact thing with my daughter who is now 2-1/2. Since this was discovered during your 20 week sono, you should feel at ease because if there was really a problem with the baby's organs or development, they would have noticed it. I had several repeat sonos during the last half of my pregnancy to ensure that my daughter was growing and developing properly. When she was born, she did have some complications and spent a few days in the incubator, but was able to come home with me at the end of the week. We discovered at 5 months that she had renal reflux (her kidneys muscles did not mature properly) but she has since outgrown it. She also had 4 minor heart defects, 3 of which she has outgrown and one that is so minor she is only checked annually. She is a happy, healthy, and super smart preschooler and has no lasting effects of the single umbilical artery. We were also still able to harvest enough of her cord blood for banking, too! Good luck, stay positive and ask your doctor lots of questions.

My friend went through this less than a year ago and went through her pregnancy being high risk and having extra ultrasound and tests and stuff. But there was not one single thing wrong with the baby when he was born... 9.5 lbs. beautiful and healthy! Think positive... and remember, you'll get to see your baby via sonogram soooo much more than any other mother does so he/she will have the best baby book around even before he/she is born!!

Hi C.,

I wish you and your baby all the best! I haven't been through this, but did have a friend who had the same issue. She did have a perfectly healthy baby! And when she got pregnant the 2nd time, they watched closely, and the 2nd pregnancy did not have the same problem. Good Luck!

Hello C.,

Our daughter-in-law had the same problem with her first pregnancy. She was monitored very carefully and did what her OB told her to do and now we have a beautiful, healthy granddaughter who is almost a year old. All you can do is be the best incubator possible, and be prepared, but don't spend a lot of time dwelling on what could happen. A positive outlook can make a huge difference.

I am the mother of a special needs child who had many many health problems as an infant. We didn't know he was going to be born unhealthy,and so were unprepared, but were thankful for Children's Hospital and the support of a tight-knit family. If something is wrong, there is plenty of help out there. Take good care of yourself, mentally and physically! You'll all be in my prayers.

Janet

Hi, C., My niece experienced this with her twins; one was missing a vessel. She is fine!!! She has a lazy eye, but other than that, no problems! Obviously, it is great that you are taking good care of yourself. What vitamins do you take? I have info on the vitamins that were used by Bobbie McCauley - mother of septuplets. Feel free to contact me. Best wishes for a safe & healthy delivery & baby. :) N.

I kinda went thru this. They told me the baby had it and not to worry because 90% of the time nothing is wrong. They also monitor very closely. Of course none of the reassurances will make you feel better. But when I went back for a follow up, they had made a mistake and the other artery was there. My only advice is to stop searching the internet about this. I made myself sick reading all the information on it. I'm sorry I can't give you any more advice then that. I can't say don't worry about it becuae you will, but don't obsess over it. Focus on the positives of the pregnancy. But it is good that they are willing to do test right away. Mine told me we had to wait months for any news.

Hi C.,
I urge you not to worry too much. I had a healthy baby girl 01/02/08. I too was diagnosed w/ a two-vessel cord, had an ultrasound every month to monitor growth, and was considered "high risk." My initial ultrasound showed the cord and also confirmed that my daughter wasn't as large as she should have been. Through monthly ultrasounds, we were able to track her growth which evened out. We had a 7lb girl, who is the picture of health. Basically, we were lucky that we got to see a picture of her every month during pregnancy. I know that the issue is serious, but again, I urge you not to worry too much! Good luck!

I had the same exact thing with my pregnancy. They also sent me to have an echocardiogram, at Johns Hopkins. Everything looked fine at that appt and my son was born perfectly healthy! My OB/GYN was not concerned, she said she sees it quite often. Try not to worry, I am sure it will be just fine!