Recent Ultrasound Showed 2 Vessels in Umbilical Cord Instead of 3

My second child also had a 2 vessel cord. The only thing that I would suggest if they don't already do it, is have an ultrasound done of his/her kidneys after they are born. Sometimes (very rarely)a 2 vessel cord can be correlated with kidney function. Nothing was wrong with my son. Everything was good and I don't think you need to supplement anything extra than normal. The one artery compensates for two. Good luck!

A.,

My two sisters each had babies with 2 vessels. They received more sonos than me, the babies looked great and were no smaller than any others. In fact, one was a 10 pounder. I don't know the difference between 2 and 3, but it doesn't always seem to be a negative. Good luck and stay positive.

I also had only a 2-vessel cord with my now 14 1/2 month old son and he was born a healthy 8 1/2 pound baby and has had no health concerns. Everything else in the ultrasound was normal which my Dr. said would mean there is no major cause for concern. Also of note there is only 1 vessel that brings the nourishment to the baby and 2 vessels that takes the waste away, so the vessel the baby is missing is one that takes the waste away from the baby. Best wishes!

Hey A.,

If she is gaining weight and her kidneys and her heart is functioning right, I think you little girl's going to be fine. I sometimes wish that doctors didn't tell us so many things to worry us. I had a daughter last May who had the same issue. I never received an advice about improving the situation, just monitoring.She is perfectly heathy today. The only thing that happened with the cord after she was born was that it came off sooner than a 3 cord vessel. I hope you and your little one continue to have a healthy pregnancy.

My friend had this with her second, and he is perfectly fine. I don't know whether she did anything different with her diet, but I do know he is a normal 6 year-old.

My SIL had only 2 with my now almost 8yr old neice. Both are and were perfect!
good luck and God bless xo

Hi Looks like others have had the same issue, with no problems:) I just wanted to add, the first trimester screening is wrong more often than correct! I opted not even to have it done with my second (just did an amneo at 14 weeks). I know sooo many friends that have had similar results as you and PERFECT babies:) Do not let that add to your worries! Blessings to you both:-)

Hi A.,
I'm an ultrasound tech and we see 2VCs pretty frequently. 9 out of 10 times this is just like you said: an isolated issue. If the ultrasound tech found the 2VC, then I can assure you he/she paid very close attention to the rest of your baby's anatomy and activity. From what you say, it sounds like you don't have much to worry about. As far as increasing blood flow, I don't think there is much you can do besides making sure you sleep on your left side.

A.

My oldest son had a 2 vessel cord and was delivered at 42 weeks as a healthy, 9.5 lb baby! He's now 8 and we haven't had any kidney issues. Seems I was born with a 2 vessel cord as well, but since my mom never had an ultrasound, it wasn't discovered until my birth-no subsequent problems. That knowledge alleviated some of the worry, but would have loved to have mamasource then to hear so many other positive outcomes! Enjoy the extra ultrasound(s) and try not to worry - I know that can be easier said than done! :)

My close friend had the exact same issue. She was worried about it and the information on the web scared the bejeezus out of her, but her dr. did the CVS as well and it turned out fine. She had extra scans as well and now she has a very healthy, very happy 14 month old. Her doctor told her this most likely happens in more pregnancies than we think, it's just now we are able to see it because of new technology.

My daughter, now 18 months, also had only 2 vessels in the umbilical cord and we were quite worried as well. I had extra level-2 ultrsounds and then weekly non-stress tests in the last month. The ultraounds revealed no other defects, and she was born perfectly healthy, although smaller in birth weight than was anticipated. It seemed like her rate of growth slowed in the last month, which may or may not have been related to the missing vessel. In the 8th month, they predicted she's weigh 8 lbs. or more, but she was born weighing 6 lbs., 9 0z.

From what I recall my doctor telling me, normally there is 1 vessel (a vein) delivering blood and nutrients to the baby, and 2 arteries that take waste away. When one is missing, it is one of the 2 arteries, so the issue can be removal of waste, rather than diminished delivery of blood. I just tried to eat healthy, organic food so there wouldn't be as much bad stuff that would need to be eliminated.

laying down on your left side increases blood flow to the baby

At the 20 week ultrasound in my first pregnancy a two vessal cord was found. I was monitored to make sure he was growing with ultrasounds every few weeks. Everything was fine. I had trouble gaining weight since I had horrible morning sickness but that did not have any affect on my son. I did go into labor early so my son was born at 35 weeks 5 day and was a healthy 6lbs 4oz and 19 1/2 inches long. He is now five and a very healthy and active child.

This is fairly common and usually has no ill effects whatsoever. As far as improving blood flow- no smoking, regular exercise, and staying well-hydrated are all helpful. Good luck and try not to worry!

I was in that sitution too. Our little girl is now 15 months with no problems at all. You will not need any more testing unless the growth of your little girl isnt growing. Try now to do any worries and get plenty rest. You want to make sure she gets all the oxygen that she can. That is the only thing I think doctors worry about. The doctor will also kept a close eye on the heart when you get closer to your due date and while you are in labor. Good Luck with everything and hope it goes well. If you like you can email me with any questions. ____@____.com

I am 30 weeks and have a 2vc. I also need help with answer

I just saw that this is a post from last year, but decided to respond anyway for anyone else wondering the same thing. During my last pregnancy, I had the 2 vessel cord in addition to Gestational Diabetes and Group B Strep. I was a major worry wart for the majority of my pregnancy because of this. The doctors at Johns Hopkins told me the 2 vessel cord would put him at a higher risk for having kidney/liver problems in life, however, I did give birth to a perfect healthy baby boy with no complications. He is almost 2 years old and has no health problems.

This happened to me with my now, smart, happy HEALTHY 4-year old.
I was a bit stressed about this at the time also but everything turned out fine. I did have to go through the extra level-2 ultra sounds. (which I did enjoy the extra time in the big comfy chair)
After she was born we needed to see a heart specialist but that was for one visit only.
The doctors were more concerned that she could develop
kidney-reflux so she had a scan at about three weeks old and she was put on medication for a very short time, she also saw a kidney doctor about 3-4 times but that was just to make sure everything was going great. As another post stated, the doctors all told me that this happens more often then we know, they are just able to read everything so closley now, that they are taking the extra procotions.

After my daughter was born I was even able to donate her cord blood. It was important to me, that this situation that caused me stress was able to help out someone else.

Many Blessings to you & your baby.

I belong to another messageboard with other moms through thenest.com. I know of two moms who have been in this same situation and they both have beautiful, healthy babies. They both said to NOT do any reseach on the internet because the information out there will just scare you and not all of it is true for every case of 2 vessel umbilical cords.
Good luck with your pregnancy. Wishing you a happy, healthy baby!