Risk to Having Resistance in the Umbilical Cord.

Don't be scared D.. Babies are born everyday at this stage in pregnancy and everything turns out just fine. At 34 weeks the baby is perfect and you are so close. My daughter was almost 8 pounds when she was 3 weeks early. My husband was born at just 3 pounds in 1962 and he has always been super healthy. Doctors sure know a lot more what to do today.

When I had my oldest they told me that she wasn't getting enough nutrients because her placenta had torn away and I still carried to term but they figured that she wasn't getting as much nutrients. She was still born at 8.5 pounds and has also been a very healthy girl. She's 24 now.

Suzi

My daughter has a two vessel cord also, she asks all the questions she thinks of every time she goes in for an ultrasound. They at first thought they saw another problem, but so far the specialists have found none. We think of this as a blessing, now we get to go in often and look at this precious little boy, the techs are very friendly and will take all the time they need, so far he hides his face with his hands although we have gotten a fairly good look at him. Since this could be her only birth (she is raising her 2 step daughters) we've decided to think of it as Gods way of letting her see the development at every stage of the game. Think positively and things will work out for the best. Everything we have read about this issue points to the fact that the biggest concern is the weight gain of the baby in the last weeks.

Hi D., I cannot see here if you received many responses, but I want to shoot you off a message and let you know I went through the very same thing with my youngest. I had to go in twice a week, in addition to regular doctor appts. It was a pain in the rear! I researched all the reasons for this "2 vessel cord" and wow did that worry me. I was blessed to have a doctor who was Christian (as I am) and he kept calm and kept telling me there are many reasons for this, including them being wrong in the end. I did receive a lot of prayer, though, I have to admit. He was born and the first thing the doctor did was to cut the cord in half and examine it. "See!" he said to the nurse. Then he showed me. There were 3 vessels afterall. All of their 3D tests showed 2 vessels. My son was fine, is fine. In fact, he is quite smart! He is now 8. I had to reach that place deep inside myself where I trusted. I had to trust myself, and trust that my love for this child would cover any issues that may arise. It was at that point that I no longer worried. In fact, I knew when he needed to be born as well! (another story) Also another story is that we went through allergies, asthma, and hives with him... but switched to a more organic lifestyle... and he is doing better in that area as well. Kids. They keep us on our toes, eh? Blessings to you and your family. I will keep your baby in prayer.

My first son had a two vessel umbilical cord. It can be associated with urinary and renal problems, but it often is not. If your doctor has not mentioned those by now, I am sure it is not a problem for your baby. The other issues are of course that the baby may not grow as well and that the waste line (which should be two) is only one. However, they may not always mention this, but that one waste line will often be bigger to accommodate. That made me feel better. My baby was born at 40.5 weeks, 8 pounds, 2 ounces, so he was on the large side.

Although many premature babies do survive with no lasting physical problems, you cannot discount the possibility of long-term learning and behavioral problems. Even babies born at 39 weeks have problems that full term infants do not. I would strongly encourage you to question your doctors if at any point they want to deliver the baby early. Not that it would not be necessary, but just that doctors don't have to live with the lifelong implications of an early delivery, and sometimes they can be hasty. Good luck.

I'm not sure if this is close enough of a situation or not, but I had an overly aged placenta that wasn't giving him enough nutrition so they took him at 29.5 weeks since they were better able to care for him outside the womb. He was 2.1 lbs when they delivered and he was in the NICU for 7 weeks. He's doing awesome now, just a little small for his age, so they adjust for the missed time until he's about 2 years old. Make sure they get you some steroids before they deliver to develop the lungs. Good luck!!

I haven't had experience with the ambilical problem but I have had a premie baby and have had close friends who have as well. While it is never easy to have a premie, I just want to reassure you that if they do have to take your baby early, the chances are really good that your baby will be fine. It is absolutely amazing what they can do now for those little guys. Take it easy and try not to let this stress you out because that won't help anything. If you can make it just 2 or 3 more weeks, there is nothing to worry about. The doctors like to get to 36 weeks but at 34 weeks, they probably won't even give you any of the drugs to stimulate the lungs. Do your kick counts and hang in there. It won't be much longer til that beautiful baby is in your arms and you have so many more things so think about.

Are they calling it SUA (Single Umbillical Artery)? If so, my baby had that, but this was a very small issue compared to everything else that was going on. I also have a friend whose baby had SUA. You can read our blogs to see more info if you like. Please keep in mind that my baby had lots of other serious issues and I delivered at 31 wks. He was in the NICU for almost 12 wks (not due to the SUA).
My blog: http://teampiggott.blogspot.com
Friend's blog: http://thepankewichfamily.blogspot.com/

Hope this helps

Hi D., If your doctor tells you something and you want more info. You have to ask. They give you what they need to and what you let them know you want. But they are the best to give you their experience in each situation. Which I want to know THAT guys experience with it. No question is stupid when it comes to you or your families health. Just say "so what happens then? What is the worst scenario?." To prepare yourself. Have you tried typing in the name in the "google" bar. I would do that.

May God bless you and your baby!!!

I just went on a site babyfit.com and they have info on this from other moms who have experienced it.

Hi D.,
I wasn't sure that you would see this so here is a post from several weeks ago about a baby with a 2 vessel cord. There was lots of good info here and I think it will apply to you as well.

http://www.mamasource.com/request/7435020436477313025

Best of luck to you and your baby!
L.

Hi D.. First of all, congratulations on your little bundle of joy!!! I just had my son 4 weeks ago, I also had a 2 vessel cord. I cannot tell you anything about the resistance, they never said anything about that to me. But I had to do 2 non-stress tests a week for the last month and a half and had monthly ultrasounds to track his growth. My son was born 6 days late and was 8lbs and 10oz...He is perfectly healthy other than a cleft lip and palate which are not related to the 2 vessel cord. I would deffinetely ask the doctor any and all questions you have, this is your child and you have every right to know absolutely everything. The specialist who did my ultrasounds told us about every complication that could be associated with teh cord and the palate, so much that we were kinda scared, but at least we knew all the possibilities. But like i said, we had no complications with the cord. Good luck, God bless, and congratulations again!!!!

Hi D., I am 33-34 weeks pregnant and have this issue of two vessel cord. My Dr. ordered the additional ultrasounds just like yours. The potential problem is that the kidneys can fill up with fluid. In babies the blood flow is opposite...arteries take waste away and veins take nutrients to baby....so your baby is getting plenty of the good stuff, but the bad stuff might be building up.

Your Dr. will continue to monitor you and if he/she feels the baby is showing any signs of distress then he/she will talk to you about an earlier delivery. There is absolutely very little you can do to control this situation. It just happens....eat right, drink lots of water, and get plenty of rest. Many babies are born early b/c of this issue and they are just fine. It is a fluke and does not mean your baby has any other issues, but I am sure your Dr. has already looked for problems and discussed them with you.

We all get a little frozen at appointments when Dr.'s are throwing big terms at us. I always call and talk to my Dr's Nurse to explain stuff to me and she has a way of making it very easy to understand. Worrying is counterproductive and your Dr. would not want you to be confused or scared....they want to give you a healthy baby:-)