2 Vessel Umbilical Cord - Chicago,IL

My friend also found out during her pregnancy that her son had a 2 vessel cord. She was really worried, but he came out healthy and is now a smart, spirited 2 year old!

It can be a sign of some very serious issues. When I was pregnant, they told me his umbilical cord also only had two vessels, so I researched what that means, and I worried myself sick, and my husband and I came to terms with what may be the outcome. They monitored my son and the cord throughout my pregnancy, and it seemed he was developing normally. Only other issue he had was the same as the post below - he had one enlarged kidney.

After he was born healthy, they found out that there really were three vessels, one was just so thin it didn't show up on any of the ultrasounds. He's 2-1/2 now and still perfectly healthy. So hopefully this is also the case with your new baby! Best wishes and congratulations on your baby girl!

Hi J.,
We had the same issue with our first pregnancy and my son turned out perfectly healthy. The doctor monitored him for the first 18 months because one kidney was slightly enlarged, but he is now almost 3 years old and has been perfectly healthy. I wouldn't worry at all, it's quite common and typically results in nothing.
Good Luck,
C.

Hi, J.. I also was given the news during my 2nd pregnancy that my baby had SUA/single umbilical artery, otherwise known as a 2-vessel umbilical cord. Earlier in the pregnancy, I was also told after my first trimester screening that the chance of the baby having Down syndrome was 1:54, much higher than they like to see. So we did a cvs test to determine whether the baby had any genetic problems. Then when she was born our pediatrician told me in the hospital that she had a dimple deep in her sacrum and would need an ultrasound and follow up with a neurosurgeon at Children's a few weeks after we took her home.

After all of this worry and stress and some tears and many tests, my baby girl is PERFECT. I swear they just give us too much info today! Yes I know they have to due to liability, but all of that for a perfect, gorgeous baby girl with 0 health issues at all.

Whatever you do, do NOT google this condition, as there is always bad stuff out there to read. What you need to know is that the numbers are such that over 90% of babies diagnosed with a 2-vessel cord in utero are born perfect. AND that if your baby were in the 10% that wasn't perfect, then something would have shown up on the 20 week ultrasound to indicate a problem with the heart or kidneys, which they would have told you about. You'll likely have a couple of extra ultrasounds before the baby is born to check the growth rate. Bonus! I think your baby is going to be just fine. :) Congrats!!

Hi J.!
My son had a 2 vessel cord and I worried immensenly about his health. However, he was born healthy with no genetic disorders. I had a level 2 ultrasound which you'll have as well later on in your pregnancy (closer to the end I believe) to check growth, organs, limbs, heart, measurements, etc. And non stress tests during your last trimester to see how well the baby is doing before birth. They'll wrap 2 (belts) around your belly and every time you feel the baby move, you'll need to press a button. They will also be recording the baby's heart rate every time it moves. I went once a week. You'll also probably see your doctor a lot more for check ups (I saw mine every 2 weeks). I stronly agree with the post that said to NOT google this condition. You will only see the most severe and worst outcomes which are not the norm!! If anything was wrong, it would have showed up on the 1st ultrasound and they would have put it all together (regarding the 2 vessel cord).
Your baby girl will be fine!

Hi J.,

My friend had this with at least one pregnancy, and she suspects she may have had it with others. She has four beautiful healthy kids and had no negative side effects from the two-vessel umbilical cord. If you would like to talk to her, please e-mail me at ____@____.com, and I'll forward her your information!

Blessings,
K. B.

J.,
I'm sure you are worried and very concerned about your baby. Take your Doctor's advice and try not to worry too much. Rest and eat as Healthy as you can.

A friend of mine just had this same issue with her last pregnancy. Her due date was just 3 weeks after mine. We both have very healthy baby boys that were born about 4 months ago.

She was obviously upset when she got the news about the the 2 vessel cord. She had regular ultrsounds and some other tests throughout the pregnancy to monitor the baby's growth. This helped to ease her worry because her pregnancy was so closely watched by her doctor.

Her son was born a healthy 8lbs, 15oz! I hope this helps to ease some of your concern. If you have any questions or anything feel free to contact me. I'm sure my friend would be happy to talk to you in greater detail. I'm sure you have a million questions running through your head.

Take care!

My first son was a two vessel cord baby and he is perfectly healthy. It was found at the 20 week ultrasound and I did have quite a few ultrasounds to monitor his growth as well as a fetal echo since they could not see (because of his position) all of the heart. He was a little peanut (6lbs 4oz) when he was born because he was a little over a month premature but he quickly gained weight and was never behind on any milestones.

Stay away from the Internet because it always gives you the worst case scenario which is unlikely since they did not see anything else.