Single Umbilical Artery: what to look out for?

[EffiePerine]

This was picked up at my last scan at 22 weeks (not at the 20 week scan, but I had to go back as they needed to check something else out). The consultant did a thorough scan of the heart, brain, digestive system etc. and all seems fine, so I am just booked in for a growth scan at about 33 weeks. I'm now about 24 weeks.

Thing is, this baby seems to be a LOT less active than DS was (wouldn't be hard, he was on the go constantly and still is) and I have no idea if I should be worried: is it too early to keep track of movements? My next appointment isn't for another couple of weeks (with the GP) so I can't ask my midwife. The consultant didn't seem to think there would be any problems other than the growth issue, but the baby is measuring big for dates so far.

Should I stop worrying and chill out?

[EffiePerine]

anyone?

[EffiePerine]

last bump before I give in and ring the mw

[Yorkshiremum]

I would personally say 24 weeks is probably too early to keep track of movements - I'm pg (no 3) and also have this 2 vessel cord and no-one has ever said to me to keep track of movements. I'm 33 weeks now and like you it was an isolated finding on my scan so they haven't seem too concerned other than the growth issue.

I had my 1st growth scan at 28 weeks and it was a bit worrying - baby just on 10th centile and not much fluid around it. Had another scan 2 weeks later and baby had caught up a bit and size/fluid was within normal limits. Had another scan this week at 33 weeks and again all ok so fingers crossed it continues.

I have to say when I first found out I had this I searched on the internet and scared myself but silly but if it is an isolated finding it really doesn't seem to be much of a concern these days. I'm trying my best to chill out and I think if your baby was measuring big for its dates then that must be a good sign!

[EffiePerine]

I also did the internet searching thing . First growth scan not until 33 weeks, but maybe they aren't too worried due to the big-for-dates thing. Glad your baby has caught up

I do worry about anything that means early induction and/or a CS as I had a pretty straighforward VB with DS. Not sure how you can guarantee that, though!

[knitcorner]

I'm in the same boat EffiePerine, but have been booked in for extra scans at 28 and 32 weeks - although they said there was nothing else wrong - of course I'm obsessing now that they wouldn't have given us the extra scans if everything was OK!!

Does anyone know what they do if it doesn't develop normally by 28 or 32 weeks?

[Neeko]

My DD (3) had this but it wasn't detected until after birth. She was 8lbs 4oz and is very healthy. The scannned her kidneys a week after birth just to double check but all absoltely fine. Try not to worry. It's much more common than you think. Oh and stop googling!

[fiziwizzle]

I'm the same - found out at 18w and googled myself into a right old state, but the anomoly scan detected nothing amiss and I'm booked in for a growth scan at 34w. The hospital staff all seemed very relaxed about it so I'm assuming that it will all be fine unless the growth scan shows otherwise. Presumably, if growth was severely retarded, they would induce early...? I'm very big (or so people keep telling me ) so I'm assuming that it's growing fine.

I have to say I don't feel my baby move much either EffiePerine (I'm now 24w) but the placenta is anterior and it's my first, so I'm trying not to stress about that either. I'm sure we'll all be fine!