[khaoskat]

Ok, they haven't said anything to me, but I saw the tech's notes as she was typing them. I guess they are showing a 2 Vessal Cord.

I am now feeling hopeless right now. I know they are now considering me high risk, because I am only 31 weeks and they are having me start coming in every 2 weeks. After two pregnancies, I know this IS NOT normal this early, or am I wrong.

I had the Nuchal Translucency US at 13 weeks, and it greatly decreased my odds of having DS and Trisomy 13/18.

But can anyone tell me what is this going to mean for the rest of my pregnancy? I had planned on either homebirth or birthing center. I am afraid the Birthing Center will no longer accept me as a patient as a result of the US. Now I am totaly regretting having had the US, w/o it, they wouldn't have known till after I gave birth.

I am also terrified that they will mandate inducement and not allow me to over due date. I cannot due another induced child, it was too difficult with DS1, so it will be a c-section under general for me if that is the case.

My baby is already measuring 2 weeks 1 day ahead by US, and by fundal height measuring 4 weeks ahead (I am 31 weeks, and measuring 33w 1d by US; and 35 cm by fundal).

Any suggestions/help/information.

 

[pamamidwife]

Nearly all 2V cords I've heard of had nothing significant.

Here's more info from the boards for you:

http://mothering.com/discussions/sho...ht=vessel+cord

http://mothering.com/discussions/sho...ht=vessel+cord

 

[Jillie]

Maybe I'm wrong but I think there are 2v and 1 (?) not sure of the other, so maybe you have the 3 cords, and there are supposed to be 2 of the v and one of the (?) and you didn't see the rest of the notes. I remember seeing something like this at my u/s and spent a while paniced as well. Sorry not much help, its been a while and I've forgotten the lingo.

 

[pamamidwife]

there are three vessels: two arteries and one vein.

 

[USAmma]

Many times it means nothing. Sometimes it can mean something significant. I have had two on line friends whose kids had the 2V cords. Both had heart problems and were otherwise normal. Both children needed surgery but they came out of it just fine and will probably lead normal lives. I'm sure that if there are any heart problems they can find them on u/s before the baby is born. If the baby appears to be in good health I don't see why you couldn't have the birth you want. Good luck!

 

[deditus]

My ultrasound showed that dd had sua (single umbilical artery). My midwife said that usually just means the tech couldn't see all 3 vessels, but I could have another u/s if I wanted to. I didn't get another u/s, and babe was born and has 3 vessels.

 

[khaoskat]

I have the pics that the information is written on (the OB/Midwife office puts all your scan pics on CD if you want). The tech used color dopplar on the cord pics, and that is where 2V CI is written.

She spent a lot of time on the heart, prior to even finding out that it was a 2V CI. I think that during both of those scans there were 3 vessels. The first US, the tech did a fairly indepth. The NT US I was part of a study on blood flow between the placenta or something that DR. Sonic was doing, and I think she checked the cord then as well.

I have had two prior US's. One at the begining due to spotting and to determine gestational age. I also did the Nuchal Translucency US due to AMA.

My US was done at 31 weeks, and I am sure I wont hear anything back on the results for at least another week or two. The office only has 2 OB's and they are only there part time (I think like maybe 2 days a week). I know the tech had 2-3 days full of scheduled US's this week. So, I will probably be closer to 32-33 weeks before I even know the US results (yes, this was the main diagnostic US that is done normally around 18-22 weeks - it was delayed due to a loss of insurance and having to get on the State Pregnancy Insurance then for another opening in the office for the US).

I also think that to get in with the Perinatologist Group, if they want a more intensive scan/consult will take about 2-3 weeks after the results are done...so by the time anything gets done, the pregnancy will virtually be over, I will be around 34-37 weeks. Although I do tend to goto 42 weeks.

Thanks for all the information. I am not so paniced right now over everything, because I just cannot think about it until I know for sure.

Melissa S.

 

[Momof3Labs]

Quote:

Originally Posted by khaoskat I know they are now considering me high risk, because I am only 31 weeks and they are having me start coming in every 2 weeks. After two pregnancies, I know this IS NOT normal this early, or am I wrong.

This is normal. I went every 4 weeks until 28w, then every 2 weeks until 36w, then every week until delivery.

 

[SleepyMamaBear]

i had a SUA baby, and the perinatologist had me freaking out. told me my baby would have IUGR(inter uterine growth retardation) and that i HAD to eat lots and lots of protein, and HAD to have US every three weeks to make sure she was growing ok. THEN they freaked out about a "speck"(thats exactly what they called it) in her heart, and continues to examine her heart in as much detail as they could at every US til i was 39 weeks.

my baby was born with NO birth defects, none. nothing wrong with her, other than the typical birth trauma that comes with failed induction leading to c-sec.
she was also 8lb9oz and 21 inches long. at EXACTLY 40 weeks. doesnt sound like she had IUGR to me.

 

[TheDivineMissE]

One of the posts linked above was mine. I've been going to the perinatologist every week since I first posted that for monitoring and fetal scans. I'm not sure why they're being so cautious with me, but I do understand that isn't the norm. From what I understand most people jsut keep going every two weeks. I go once a week to the peri and once a month to the OB too.

Some more information I've gathered in relation to SUA:

1. IF genetic abnormalities are noted at the time of ultrasound, there is ALSO a likelyhood of a two vessel cord. However, if NO genetic abnormalities are noted in the presence of a two vessel cord - most likely the baby is just perfectly fine and normal.

2. IUGR occurs in approximately 10-15% of babies with SUA. The other 85-90% have no growth issues at all. According to my peri, if there is going to be a growth issue it will be around weeks 34-35. If the baby has continued to grow properly up to that point, most likely the pregnancy will go to term with an average sized baby.

3. The "speck" is called an echogenic focus. It can be a soft marker for Down's - however it's also one of those coincedental findings. My baby had one too but they haven't seen it again, so it's probably nothing to be worried about at all.

I get another growth scan on the 24th to compare to the one I first had and make sure the baby has continued growing properly. If she has, my OB and Peri have indicated that they will not take any other steps to induce early or anything like that. They say I will have a completely normal delivery. If she has not continued on the growth curve she was on (which was a wee bit small, but nothing extraordinary) they will take her early. I don't know yet if that means they induce or just schedule a c-section. I'm hoping it never becomes an issue, so I neglected to ask.

I hope that helps some! I'm due Oct. 10th - so I'm right about the same week as you.

 

[khaoskat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDivineMissE I hope that helps some! I'm due Oct. 10th - so I'm right about the same week as you.

*LOL* Actually we are the exact same day and week. I am also due October 10th. (Even though I know we didn't have sex until 1/18 w/o protection - and prior to that with protection was 1/10, so EDD should be 10/11, but wont fight with the midwifes over it unless I have to.)

I am still not sure if I really have this or not (just my guessing from the notes on the US scan's and the fact when she was answering the questions on the screen, when it asked about a 3V Cord, she put down No or 2V Cord was in her notes). My Midwife/OB's office has not called yet, and the US was done Tuesday. I also know that their OB's have a wierd work schedule. Mondays - no clue what the schedule is; Tuesday I know they are not there in the morning, no clue about afternoons; Wednesdays is basically staff and US Tech only day so no OB or Midwife in office; Thursdays - again in the morning no OB's, not sure about the afternoon. Friday's have at least Dr. Po in the morning, no clue about the afternoon. I was told Dr. Guy would read the US and get back with me.

Also, I am thinking that with my two previous US's, they checked the cord (9 week to determine fetal age and check for causes of spotting; and Nuchal at 13 weeks 1 day) and never mentioned anything about cord issues. My chances for DS came back at like 1 in 3,300 and T13/18 at 1 in 8,300 from the Nuchal with PAPP Blood Work (or whatever the blood work they do with it is called).