Worried: have to have repeat ultrasound to confirm 2 or 3 vessel umbilical cord

[kimmery]

Got a call from midwife last night, need to have a repeat ultrasound. Apparently 25% of 2-vessel umbilical cords are associated with birth defects, etc., and even when not associated with birth defects can lead to low birth weight and require close monitoring. Anyone have experience with this? Sometimes its referred to as SUA.

My instinct is the baby is okay, but my husband and I have been a bit freaked out. Hoping its just a case of the technician not being able to get a good enough shot: she did say the baby was moving around quite a bit that morning.

[NicoleW09]

My neice was a sua baby. She was over six pounds at birth. She has no thyroid and has to take medicine for it. she may also have a genetic disorder. Her body thinks its three years older than what she is. Shes five an already has permanent teeth. But other than that shes totally healthy, an I wouldn't begin to say the cord had anything to do with her defects. Its hard to say.

[kimmery]

Not at all! I completely understand, and don't find your replies slow at all! :)

[luvmy2girls]

Sorry i'm slow to respond....busy with all my kiddos!

[luvmy2girls]

It was difficult at first but I didn't completely cut out junk food at first.  I started just adding more fruits and veggies and in a couple weeks I preferred that to junk food anyway.  I stopped eating out too.  More control at home was helpful.  I still have a cheat day here and there but I don't indulge.  I think you'll find like I did that you feel so much better when you adjust to the new diet.  Also, breakfast is essential.  Make it count with a protein, a whole grain and a fruit!  Makes the rest of the day so much easier:)  

[kimmery]

Thanks for the support, I really appreciate it.

Do you mind sharing with me your steps to clean up your diet? Did you just omit junk food? That's my plan -- to make every bite count, if I can.

Thanks for sharing your experience with me -- and congrats! I see you are expecting again! :)

[luvmy2girls]

Yes I cut out caffeine and cleaned up my eating habits to ensure the baby got every bit of nutrition possible.  I also kept exercise to just walking to keep compression off of the cord.  It was good cause I kept up the habits!  It's really nothing to uncommon but anything abnormal is scary.  I cried the whole day after I found out in worry:(  it really will be ok tho!

[kimmery]

Bump.

[kimmery]

Thank you luvmy2girls, for sharing! (Btw, love your screen name!) I have been so worried. I have read that SUA is perhaps more 'normal' than we think: that it also existed in the past but women didn't have technology like ultrasounds to see it!

They did say the organs including a 4-chamber heart and 2 kidneys looked good so I'm trying to relax.

Btw, did you have to change any of your habits like caffeine consumption due to the SUA?

[luvmy2girls]

My last baby had sua.  She was 7'12" at birth with no defects.  I had to have growth scans twice a week but everything was just fine.  no worries :)