Pregnant again at 40- worried about SUA

[juliebird]

Hi mamas!

I just found out that I'm pregnant again. I'm about 5 weeks, so the ms hasn't even kicked in yet. When my last baby was born I remember the doctor looking at the umbilical cord and when I asked him about it- he said something about it only having one artery instead of two. But the baby was born at 7 pounds and was healthy so I didn't think much of it. (Which was lucky because I think between 1/4 and 1/2 of babies born to moms with SUA have complications/defects).

So, now it's 3.5 years later, I'm pregnant for the fourth (and last!) time and I'm worried that this might happen again. My doctor has since retired and I haven't had my appt. with my new one yet, so I'm turning to the mamas here who are a collective source of wisdom.

I read a little about SUA (single umbilical artery) and it turns out being 40 or older and having 3 or more kids ups your risk at this happening again.

I guess my question is: does anyone know whether having SUA for one pregnancy makes it more likely in the next pregnancy?

Thanks for any insight you have to share.

[MaryLang]

My dd had an SUA, and the next baby did not. It didn't seem to be an issue at all for us throughout the pregnancy.

[khaoskat]

DD1 had an SUA, and was one of the unfortunate statistics.

I got pregnant 3 months after DD1 was born, and it was a normal umbilical cord. Had a little baby girl 2 1/2 years ago.

I am now pregnant again due in May, again a normal umbilical cord - plus I will be 40 or just about to turn 40 when this one is born.

[juliebird]

Thank you so much mamas! You've both put my heart at ease. Now I can go on to worry about the "next thing" LOL.

Khaoskat- wishing you an easy, empowering labor experience in May

[khaoskat]

Thanks, we are planning a home birth this time around.