single umbilical artery- anyone had experience of this?

[mel1981]

Im 21 weeks and had my scan yesterday where they found my umbilical cord only has one artery, I was told its nothing to worry about and have to have a growth scan in 12 weeks to double check. No other abnormalities were found though.
But ive already had a stillbirth 3 years ago at 27 weeks due to a true knot in the cord (which was something like a 32,0000 chance of it happening) so as you can imagine im panicking anyway regardless of statistics.

I just wanted to know of other experiences of this -either good or bad.
Ive read a few websites but just wanted to know from other parents rather than just numbers/statistics.

Mel x

Yes, I had this. I was told that if there are no other abnormalities of the heart or other organs, the chances are it's just one of those things. In fact, we were told that the one existing artery tends to enlarge to accommodate more flow than usual. Like you, I was offered extra scans to check on growth (presumably because there isn't a backup supply?). My daughter was born at full term, 8 pounds, and is just fine.

Poor you, though. I can see how this would bring back horrible memories. All the best, and maybe push for more frequent scans, given your history? I think I had a further scan four weeks on, and another when I couldn't feel movements for a spell. It would be very bad of me to suggest that you phone in and say the movements are diminishing just to get a scan...

Hey Mel

I'm 30 + 4 and was diagnosed with this at 22 weeks during scan and it sent me into a blind panic too.

Which hospital are you registered with? I'm at Kings College London and they said it was common enough and seen in about 1/100 cases. I got really upset after sleeping on it and called my midwife who told me it's more like 1/20 cases so much more common than first thought!

Push for a 28 week and a 32 week scan if you are able - Kings offered this to me and it was a massive relief to be told that baby is growing ok.

You could also pay for a private scan if you can't get 2 growth scans - I probably would have coughed up if hadn't been offered 28 & 32wks - 12 weeks is a very long time to be worrying.

Try not to panic, baby needs a happy mummy - it is the most common anomaly and when seen in isolation really doesn't mean you are going to experience more problems.

Lastly - Both midwife and consultant advised that the price we pay for all this technology is too much information, which leads to unnecessary anxiety! Just a few years ago you would have given birth to a healthy full term baby and been none the wiser - ignorance is sometimes bliss!

Peaches x