Kidney problem in baby - dialated renal pelvis - questions

[sarahtar]

So, my 20 week ultrasound showed that the baby has a dialated renal pelvis. While I understand what this means, in terms of what it is and what's causing it, and potential implications for the baby, I don't have a very strong hold on what this means in terms of the birth itself.

The MFM we consult with (I have MTHFR) said that it's unlikely to get better with it being so pronounced this early, but it could. Or it could get worse. Or stay the same. She is VERY homebirth supportive (she and my MW have a great working relationship) but didn't seem too positive about my being able to continue planning a homebirth.

I didn't really get into that with her, since I have to go back in a month (and every month after) to check on it, and I figured we'd know more after a second scan... but now I'm letting myself get eaten up with worry.

Has anyone else had this, and what did it mean for you in terms of the actual birth?

[jezz]

Hi,

My little boy has/had dilated renal pelvis. We found out at 20 weeks and i stressed about it all the way through my pregnancy. I ended up having a drug free water birth in the birth centre section at the hospital. I only spent 2 hours at the hospital before i gave birth and the only thing that was said to me afterwards that they needed to see him wee before i took him home (4 hours later). I gave birth before a public holiday so they couldn't give him an ultrasound straight away and were deciding whether or not i had to stay but we said there is no benefit in me staying in hospital for an ultrasound in 3 days. So i would say all they do is give the baby an ultrasound right away and then a follow up one at 6 weeks if nothing has changed. We had to have the radioactive dye put through him for the final scan and went to a specialist who basically told us.... nothing to worry about... if he gets UTI's then tell them that he had dilated kidneys and go from there.

I am pregnant with my second baby now and was over the moon to find out that this baby didn't have dilated renal pelvis but i went to the midwife the other day and they have brought in ultrasounds for people with BMI over 35. So i went for my 28 week ultrasound to find out my baby has dilated renal pelvis...... ( so really - do i have to go through all the scanning again with this baby, they wouldn't have know about it if i wasn't overweight)

I think if its over 10mm then they do the treatment overwise they monitor it..... anyways.... its an internal problem i would not think that it would stop you from having a home birth if you then went for the ultrasounds afterwards...... (but i am not a doctor)

Best Wishes! Jezz (I'm from Australia - i am taking it your from the USA)

[CDsMom1031]

My son has it... I also found out at my 20-week scan. The way my doctor described it, it's very common and goes away on it's own 99% of the time.

They discovered it at my 20-week scan, I saw a Perinatologist at 23 weeks... I see him again at 28 to monitor it and again at 34 to check on it one more time. He said if it stays the size it is right now, by 34 weeks, that size will be within normal limits.

If it doesn't go away by birth, they'll do an ultrasound on my son after I have him and possibly treat him with antibiotics.

He said it's from the hormone (Totally slipped my mind just now) that my body produces to help keep my cervix closed. It gets filtered through the baby and causes the ureters to "relax", causing the dilation at the renal pelvis. So typically, when the baby is born and is no longer having that hormone filtered through their body, it will go back to normal.

The way my doctor talks to me about it, it's something I really shouldn't lose sleep over, because, even if it doesn't fix itself, 99.9% of the time, it's fixed with antibiotics. Even, WORST CASE SCENARIO, if the antibiotics do nothing, they'll have to do a minor surgery to fix it... But he said, in his practice, it's only gotten to that point twice.

Good luck. =D