Ok, had an anatomical ultrasound yesterday. All checked out well and I'm having boy number two (YEAH). During this US they were checking blood flow to the umbilical cord and noticed that I have what they call single umbilical artery (SUA). It only occurs in about 1% of pregnancies and usually in Diabetics (I'm type 1). What it basically is...there are normally three arteries running through the umbilical cord-one vien that carries oxygen and nutrients and two arteries (which shuttle waste out to my kidneys to be disposed of). Aparently, there can be complications with birth defects that would be limited to the heart and kidneys. Though, from what I've read, these defects, if present, would already be evident in the ultrasounds. According to my high risk OB, there were no other defects evident. Most likely, the only issue my son will have will be possible low birthweight, which my OB will continue to monitor through out. My OB delivered my first son and he was 5 lbs 10 oz and he said this little guy may be a bit smaller.
I guess from what I've read, everything should be fine and I'm likely worrying myself over nothing. I'm just wondering if any other moms had this occur and am wondering what the outcome was. Everything I'm reading on the internet is facts and figures, but no real life stories.
D. ~
I've been an OB nurse for 14 years. I have seen this many times, and not really any problems :) We usually watch to make sure that the baby pees, and sometimes the pediatrician will order an ultrasound of the kidneys after the baby is born just to make sure everything is OK. I'm sure the perinatologist will do more ultrasounds during your pregnancy to keep an eye on the kidneys and heart.
Everything should be just fine!
D.
My second son had this as well. He was born fine. They did an ultrasound on his kidneys when he was born and that was it. He is now a healthy 5 year old. Oh...and he was born 8lbs, 14oz. I was not diabetic. Dont worry yourself.
11 years ago I experienced the exact same thing with my daughter. I went through months of worry just to have the most perfect little thing ever! I made ALL the doctors and nurses and Ped. aware of it during/after the birth so they could run extra tests to make sure that she was ok. I did not want to take her home and then experience an emergeny. She was fine. And as for birth rate, she was my smallest (of 3) at 8.6 pounds. Funny, I have not thought about this again until I read your post. Good Luck!
When I was born, they discovered I had only one umbilical artery. This was before ultrasounds were routine. I'm fine, or, at least I think I am! :-)
I am 37 weeks with SUA. I have been going to the OB 2x a week. Like I said, I am 37 weeks but measuring 42 weeks! The growth ultrasounds are reading that he is already close to 9lbs! So just today, they stipped my membranes to get labor going. Now I am waiting.....
The SUA has not been an issue at all for us. I have heard that there are more successful stories than not. Today we have such great technology that we know more but that does not mean that there is a problem... just that it is a different pregnancy than most.
Pray - God is the only one in control of LIFE!
My neighbor had it with her son and while she was on bed rest (for some other issue I believe) for the latter half of her pregnancy no one suffered any ill effects other than boredom.
