Single umbilical artery

[Spark_sparkle]

Hi All, I went for my 20 weeks scan today and this was told and seen during the scan.

Now I am freaking out and ofcourse I did Google which gives all sorts of explanation.

It suggests there should be 1 vein and 2 arteries and since yesterday I don't know what to do and who to ask.

I will be turning 40 in may and it was a donor conception after so many implantation failure.

Has this happened to anyone here and in the end everything went normal and without any complications or abnormalities.

It would be very useful and put my mind at ease till the time I speak to the consultant.

Thanks

[Savvy_teapot]

Sorry I don't know the answer but wanted to reply. I would call the ultrasound clinic. They should have answered questions then. Not heard anyone talk about specific arteries before. Do let us know what you find out?

[CLT83]

Hi, I had an SUA diagnosed at the 12 week ultrasound, I was also very concerned, but the consultants did not seem to be concerned as nothing else was found. We had extra growth scans to make sure little one was growing ok. He’s now a very active 7yo.

[PurpleCrocus]

Hi! This hasn't happened to me but I am a paediatrician and so I've seen literally hundreds of babies with a single umbilical artery, so please don't panic!

You're correct that most umbilical cords have one vein and two arteries, however a significant number will only have one artery - which is fine in terms of the blood supply for baby.

Basically it used to be a very important finding, back in the day when ultrasound scans were not that good at detecting problems in the baby. There is a very small association between having a single umbilical artery and having other congenital anomalies (such as heart and kidney problems). We used to care about it a lot when we saw a baby who had been delivered and found to have only one artery, because it meant we should check for other anomalies.

However, the antenatal ultrasound scans are so good now that this is not such a problem. The fact that they can even tell on the scan that there is only one artery shows you how detailed the scans are! And this means they also detect most other problems too. So if the rest of the scan was fine, you really have nothing to worry about! We now no longer check babies after delivery who were identified as having one artery, as it's SO unlikely to be a problem.

So please please don't worry. If that was all they found on your scan then everything should be completely fine! 😊

And massive congratulations on the pregnancy AND the great 20 week scan! Exciting times!

[ADHDPCOS]

My sister had this with her first pregnancy, that pregnancy is a perfectly healthy 13yr old girl now.

[Spark_sparkle]

Thanks to all for the reassurance 🙏 Update:- this may help people in similar situation.

Went for the second opinion,had video consultation and the doctors seems to be relaxed and sees a lot of such patients even younger females with SUA so now I am bit relaxed. There is some test called quadralope(blood test) to rule out any such doubts and to be sure everything is fine,I am told to do that,once I get it done will update here.

This journey is roller coaster ride one worry ends and you are back to being worried again,as it is ivf is not easy on our mental well being.

I hope all the ladies in the world(including me) gets to hold their healthy babies and experience motherhood.

This forum is a blessing,thanks to each one of you💕