Single artery umbilical cord

[Raindancer411]

Had anyone had this or been told they have this?

My twenty week scan, they picked up on it.

Hi, I don't really know but I just googled it and it says that normally there are to arteries but sometimes it happens be just a single artery and it can support a healthy pregnancy all the way through so I am sure everything is ok and when you have your scans they will just monitor that things are going ok for you and the baby.

Hello @Raindancer411

We have had the same thing picked up on our 12 weeks scan, but never told until 20 week scan. At our 20 week scan the sonographer said that she thinks she sees a double umbilical artery, but once she's had another lady look at it they indeed confirmed a single umbilical artery. Although all measurements of the baby were ok and sonographer reassured me that there was nothing to worry about and baby is perfectly normal I can't help but worry.
I had calmed down a bit as I thought we will love the baby no matter what, but at the same time I am itching to do a private scan and get a doctor to check it all again.
Hope you are coping well. xxx

@Lucious So far so good, thanks. The sonograph person told me I would need extra scans but when I chased this up, was told that they no longer do that. The midwife I spoke to said they had studies that showed it isn’t really anything to worry about unless any other issues evident, so trying to keep reminding myself about that.

@Raindancer411
Glad to hear you're well. When are you due? We didn't get any additional scans either and told us kind of a similar thing too. Trying not to worry, but much easier said than done. Keep us updated on how you're getting on, we're both in the same boat.

My niece had this. Baby is now 5 and absolutely fine!

@Watto1 That's reassuring for hear, thanks :)

@Lucious Will do :) I am due around middle to end of May, so it's getting closer!!

My son had this and they just did an extra growth scan at 30 weeks. All went well and he was born 2 days past his due date 9lbs 2ozs. That was 8 years ago.

@cloud35 Thanks for that :)

My daughter had this and they said it was nothing to be concerned about and that was it. She's a perfect (although totally bonkers) 6 year old

@Raindancer411

Yes, you're so much closer than me! I am due in mid July, seems so far away. And I can't say that the time is going quickly either..

@Watto1 @cloud35 @LittleBrownBaby

Thank you for sharing, keeps us all more encouraged and positive :)

Hi I had this also with my first pregnancy but I also had the complication of having many blood clots in my placenta slowing down the transfer from mum to baby.
At my 20 week scan dd was measuring very small and her growth stopped at 36 weeks and I was induced early at 37 weeks.
The blood clots along with the single artery is a very rare complication but still i had a good outcome. My little baby is now a healthy crazy 10 year old girl
Even if worst case scenario baby's growth slows down, they are very good at noticing this and monitoring/taking action when appropriate.

The fact baby is on track at 20 weeks is great and very reassuring.
Also I have since had 2 normal healthy pregnancies with normal placentas which is great.
I hope your pregnancy continues to go well.

@Lucious and anyone that is interested in an update...

I went in for monitoring on Sunday as of lack of movement and ended up having to stay in as all docs were in emergencies and couldn't sign me off to release me. Movement seems I just don't feel all she is making and I have a high front placenta.

Anyway they also do a scan the morning before I was discharged. She is showing on the small side and following the 8th percentile, so I got to go back in 3 weeks for another scan.

Unlike my son she has small femurs so will not be a long baby but he still only weighed 7lb 4 when born but long.

The sonograph person said there are 4 reasons why this maybe:

1. I am petite so she may just be taking after me.
2. infection issue (cv something or toximplast (cannot spell it), so had a blood test to rule out. She said all the brain development looks fine so she doesn't think it could be this.
3. Genetic issue but all early tests and scans don't support this.
4. Placenta failure - but even with the one artery she said there looks to be a good flow. If it was failing she said she would see some resistances.

Back end of month now and keeping fingers crossed.

@PleaseGiveMeAShake

Thank you so much for sharing, it is so reassuring to hear about great outcomes in the rare complicated circumstances

@Raindancer411 Thanks for your update! Sorry for responding late. How have you been? Anymore news?
In terms of having a small baby - my friend had a very small baby all the way through pregnancy, but they could see the baby was growing because they gave her scans every 2 weeks. So maybe she is just a small baby :) the little boy is not so small now.

I went to the hospital a couple of weeks ago as well because the movements reduced, but they only checked the heartbeat and said it was still early (I was 23 weeks then). However when the doctor saw my notes about single umbilical artery she has booked me in for an additional growth scan at 28 weeks. So I'm a little more relieved that they will be able to check whether my baby is going to be growing at a good rate too.

@Lucious I had to brave the hospital today for a 33 week growth scan and so far she is still following the curve and is now at 5lb. Seems a good weight to me when you search the weight of a 33 week baby in pregnancy.

Oh that is definitely a good weight for 33 weeks. My friend I was talking about her baby was born at 39 weeks and weighed 5.5lbs. So glad to hear all is going well for you, not long now until you get to see your precious one. You must be excited!

@Lucious Excited but also scared and anxious. Our plans may go out the window as my mum was meant to have our 7 year old and as we cannot mix families, I may have to go in to give birth alone

I can imagine, it's all a bit shocking. I have also pondered the idea of giving birth alone as my partner is in the highest risk group and has to be shielded. So if the restrictions are still in I will not have him there. I guess we just have to hope all of us are well and hope the situation is going to get better soon.
How is it in hospitals at the moment by the way? I have an appointment next monday and received a message from the hospital that I have to come alone.

@Lucious It seemed quite busy in the maternity scan/consultation area today but just the women and men stayed in the foyer outside. Most medical staff were wearing face masks but my sonographer didn't.

Oh and they were very low on the hand sanitizer

@Raindancer411
Did they let you have someone with you at the scan? I hope my hospital won't be too bad. I am the worrying type and since I've got a vulnerable person at home so I am going to go to the hospital in full protective gear You know, gloves, mask and glasses. I know I will look like the crazy one, but gosh it is scary nowadays.

@Lucious I went alone as that is what they have requested. I wish I had of got masks and gloves myself now. Will be wary for next 7 days

@Raindancer411
I'm sure you're fine and they are super careful in the hospitals. I'm just tend to go over the top as I have anxiety sometimes.

@Lucious I had my little girl at 40+6 and she weighed 7lb 8oz, so the cord caused no problem with her growing and developing :)