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If you’ve been following along you’ve seen my pregnancy announcement, the 1st trimester update and the 2nd trimester update and perhaps you’ve been waiting on my update for the 3rd trimester. Well, this one took a little longer than expected because things have been a bit of a whirlwind over the past couple months and I’ve been waiting for the right time to share.
Single Umbilical Cord Artery
I hinted at it a bit on Instagram around 32 weeks, but this pregnancy has been unique to say the least. To give you the backstory, things were “normal” and relatively easy… until our 20 week ultrasound. We arrived to our appointment that morning, super optimistic and so excited to get those updated ultrasound pictures and see her sweet little face on the screen.
Anatomy-wise everything looked great, but after the scan we were told that the baby’s umbilical cord had an anomaly, with two vessels instead of three. A typical cord has one vein bringing oxygen-rich blood and nutrients to the baby and two arteries taking oxygen-poor/waste away, our cord has just one artery. This is called a single umbilical artery (SUA). Our midwife assured us that everything else on the scan looked great and that most of the time two vessel cords can be present with no other anomalies.
Of course, no parents want to hear the word anomaly after a 20 week scan. I remember tears welling up at the office, but once I got home and looked up SUA online I immediately started to get even more concerned. I found some positive stories where people had isolated SUA babies (where the cord was the only anomaly), but I also found lots of information suggesting that babies with a single artery cord can have a higher risk of genetic disorders, as well as, heart, kidney and spinal defects. (Sometimes Googling is the worst thing you can do!)
At our next appointment I asked more questions and our midwife said that she could refer us to maternal fetal medicine for more testing if we wanted, but didn’t really see a huge need for it since the rest of the ultrasound looked good. The only thing we’d need to do is have a few additional ultrasounds around weeks 30, 34 and 38 to check on growth, which is another concern with SUA babies. After a week or so we felt good about this decision not to do additional testing and although it was still lingering in the back of my mind, I stopped researching online about the two vessel cord and decided to stay postive and enjoy the pregnancy. This why I didn’t share about the SUA in my 2nd Trimester update… I honestly thought it would just be a random little thing that wouldn’t even cross my mind once she was born.
31 Week Ultrasound
At 31 weeks we had our first growth scan and this is when things changed a bit. The tech was going through measuring everything, said baby was a healthy weight and size, but that she was having a hard time getting views of the baby’s heart based on her position. She had me turning from side to side to try to get her to move around until she finally said the views she got were good enough.
Obviously the tech didn’t mention anything during the scan, but our midwife reported that the tech couldn’t get good views of the heart and from what she could see, it looked like the heart was a little enlarged. She said she still didn’t think we should be worried and that it was probably nothing, but she referred us to maternal fetal medicine (MFM) for a fetal echocardiogram, which is a detailed ultrasound of the heart. It took two weeks to get an appointment to have the echo and let me tell you, these two weeks felt like months. It was so hard not knowing if everything was okay, but we stayed postive.
Congenital Heart Disease
At 31 weeks, the Monday before my baby shower we went to our echocardiogram appointment and it one of the hardest days of my entire life. After a two hour long ultrasound we knew something was going on and the pediatric cardiologist took us in the conference room and shared the news that our baby has two congenital heart defects, a large VSD (which is essentially a hole in the heart) and hypoplastic (or interrupted) aortic arch.
They aren’t 100% on the diagnosis of the aortic arch, because with her size at 33 weeks it was difficult to get good views, so she will get another echocardigram when she’s born to confirm what exactly is going on. With just a VSD, doctors usually wait until the baby is 2 or 3 months old to do surgery, but if what they suspect is true with the aortic arch, she will need to be administered medicine as soon as she’s born in order to keep her ductus arteriosus open and blood flowing to all her organs. She’ll be on this medicine until she has an open heart surgery within the first week of life to repair the arch and the hope is that the surgeon will be able to repair the VSD at the same time.
Needless to say, the last month has been an emotional roller coaster. We left our first echocardiogram in shock and then spent an emotional couple weeks processing everything and getting two second opinions. There were a few weeks where we basically had a baby appointment every day — from our routine midwife appointments and MFM stress tests to hospital tours and surgeon interviews.
After multiple echocardiograms, touring three hospitals and interviewing two surgeons we’ve decided to deliver and have her open heart surgery at UVA. We feel incredibly confident in the team involved in the fetal cardiology program there and it’s nice that we’ll only be about an hour from Richmond.
That said, driving to Charlottesville in labor should be interesting… to say the least. 😉
Receiving this news and having to change everything about my birth plan hasn’t been easy and I’ve had to work so hard at not letting it steal the joy of this pregnancy. Showing up to my baby shower only a few days after finding out this news was incredibly hard, but with each passing week we’ve become more at peace with everything. We’re already so in love with this little girl and that is proving to keep us positive and hopeful that everything will be okay.
We have a ton of friends and family who have been super supportive over the last six weeks and I know that will only continue.
Overall, Isaac and I both feel incredibly blessed that we know about her condition in advance and were able to make the plans that we have in place. And at this point, with only a day until her due date, we’re honestly just excited to meet our little girl and praying for a smooth delivery… like any other soon-to-be parents would be. <3
I’ll be keeping you in my thoughts. As a new mama who also had everything I expected to happen change abruptly (I was diagnosed with preeclampsia & my daughter was born 6 weeks early this past April. she spent nearly a month in the NICU before coming home still not weighing 5 lbs!), Ill just say that… even though this wasn’t what you expected, your little girl will be perfect & you & Isaac have got this. It’s clear you are going to be great parents. <3
Thank you so much for sharing and for the thoughtful note, Sara. I’m so happy to hear that your daughter was well cared for in the NICU and is now home with you and doing well! <3
Hi Brittany, Thanks for sharing this post. You are a remarkable woman and already you are an amazing mother. I have followed the journey of a couple in my life who last year had a baby with heart anomalies and had to have surgery as soon as their son arrived. I can’t imagine what you are going through but I’m praying for you, your partner and your little girl that you get everything you need to guide you through this part. A new life is a blessing and you are the perfect person to bring this little one into the world. Thanks for all your recipes and positive messages around eating and cooking. I have just renovated my kitchen and the first meal I cook in it will be Slow Cooker Fajita Soup.Will think of your family as I am siting down with mine tonight. Blessings to you. Alana
Thank you so much for the thoughtful comment, Alana. Thank you so much for the prayers and kind words. I so appreciate it. And congrats on your kitchen renovation. That’s so exciting. Enjoy your fajita soup tonight! <3 PS: I made the soup last week and added frozen cauliflower rice for a little extra volume and it was so delicious.
Oh my goodness what a lot to have to accept and understand. My daughter didn’t have a CHD but I went into preterm labor at 21 weeks. The doctors said there was no way she would survive and advised us to terminate. We decided to continue with our pregnancy and she stayed in until 29 weeks. She spent two months in the NICU and now at almost 3 years old is totally healthy and developmentally on target. I know our situations are different but wanted to give you some hope that while things may seem very scary, it can all be okay in the end. Best of luck to you.
Hi Lisa! Thank you so much for your comment and for sharing your story. I know our situations are different, but it just proves that babies are so resilient and such a gift, no matter what!! <3
Oh Brittany! My heart goes out to you and your husband!! I’m 21 weeks along and we just found out at our 20 week scan that our little girl has a SUA. It is terrifying to say the least to think of all that can go wrong. I’ll be thinking of you guys in the coming weeks and sending positive thoughts your way!!
HI Heather! Sending you a huge virtual hug from one SUA mama to another. I know it’s tough to say, but try not to worry. I’ve read so many stories where the single vessel cord was the only anomaly and the babies have been 100% healthy otherwise. Are you all going to do additional testing?
Yes, we have many more ultrasounds scheduled in the coming months and will undoubtedly do additional testing if necessary.
Sending you lots of positive vibes and love as you go through more testing. Keep me posted and don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything. <3
Brittany
I’ve been a reader for many years (7-8?) and this is so shocking to read. I’m a nurse in labor in delivery in Canada and I wish you a safe delivery, healthy mom, healthy baby. Accept all the help you need, I have 3 healthy kids under 3 and I’m counting my blessings.
Praying for your family
I really appreciate your thoughtful note, Marieve! And thank you for the well wishes. <3
Thinking about you and your baby girl. Thank you for sharing this update. You are insanely strong and I know your daughter will be too. Keeping you close to my heart. Love from NC!
Thank you so much for the thoughtful note, Jennifer. It means the world to me. <3
Thinking of you daily. We will be here when you need anything in Charlottesville <3
Thank you so much, Kath! That means the world to me. <3
Hey Brittany,
My name is Emily! My aunt follows your blog and shared this post with me. I have CHD that I was born with and have had several surgeries and procedures as a child. Now I’m 32 and living each day with CHD and trying my best to stay as healthy as possible. You and your baby will be in prayers and please reach out if you want to chat or ask questions. My email is emily.dambrosio@gmail.com and my blog is http://www.thegirlwithhalfaheart.com!
Thanks so much!
Emily
Hi Emily! Thank you so much for your comment and for sharing your story. Hearing stories like yours gives us so much hope! <3
Sending you all love and prayers for smooth delivery and surgery for the little one. Every pregnancy and baby is different and know that those of us whose story looks a little different are stronger in the end. 🙂 You do not know me, I am just a longtime reader of your blog. But I was a NICU mom after some complications and I believe wholeheartedly that God does not put us in situations we cannot handle. Keep strong and know that you are the biggest advocate for your baby- ask so many questions and push the doctors/nurses. They are their to help. Sending much love.
Thank you so much for the thoughtful comment and for sharing your story, Susan. I so appreciate it. <3
I’m so sorry to hear you are going through this. I couldn’t read this and not comment. My situation is different, but my son was born with a rare congenital defect in his skull and he had to have brain surgery at one year old. He is now a healthy and obstinate 2.5 year old. My mama heart just breaks for what you are going through but thank Gd for modern medicine and I’ll be praying for good results for you!
Hi Rachael! Thank you so much for your comment and prayers and for sharing your story. I know our situations are different, but it just proves that babies are so resilient!! I am so happy to hear that your son is doing well now. <3
I have just walked this journey with my nephew and his wife. Two thoughts come to mind: commit all you can to pumping and getting your supply established. Most units have pumps, bags, refrigeration and lactation consultants. Request skin-to-skin time often, such as after birth, even for 30 seconds, in the NICU…ask and ask again. Some nurses are very helpful if they know how valuable this is to you and Isaac.Some nurses just say no, keep pestering.Wear tops that you can easily open and snuggle baby bird. This is hard! The sleep deprivation, the worry…you will get through it. You will get to bring this little treasure home, you will be able to snuggle with her. We are all thinking of you both so very much as you walk this unexpected path.
Thank you so much for sharing, Erica. I am planning to pump and ask for skin to skin as much as possible. Such great advice! Thank you for the all the postive thoughts. <3
Late commenter on this post, but I saw Kath mentioned you on her blog and that your baby had a heart defect and wanted to come check out your post (I read your blog off and on too as I live in Richmond too). Anyway, my second son had heart surgery (and other surgeries, he had multiple issues) at UVA. Olivia will be in great hands! Thinking of you all. If you ever want to talk hearts–let me know!
Aww thank you so much for the thoughtful note, Sara. I really appreciate it. <3
Mom of a little boy who was born with Tetralogy of Fallot (discovered when I was 36 weeks) I can relate. I hope you and your daughter are doing great now and sending you a virtual hug.
Thank you so much, Mona! Sending you a virtual hug too, from one heart mama to another! <3
Hi,
thank you for sharing your story. can you confirm if the initial US at 20 weeks was noted to be normal and then the CHD was diagnosed during the 31st week? or was the first US itself done at 31 weeks? so glad to hear your little one is thriving! going through this and wanted to get your thoughts
thanks,
maya
Hi Maya – Yes, I found out at 20 weeks about that SUA and then had growth scans and we found out about that CHD at 32 weeks. But every doctor that we saw said it should have been found at the 20 week scan so that tech just missed it. Hope everything goes well for you & baby, Mama!
At 18 weeks my little girl got diagnosed with SUA,
Im going in today for my 31 week ultrasound and hoping all goes well. I don’t think I’ll ever stop worrying now! Hasn’t been an easy pregnancy and it’s my first, I’m just really hoping the rest of my scans and everything go easy.
Prayers to you mama, and I hope everything went okay!
Thanks for the note, Moira. Olivia is thriving and doing well, but I definitely feel you on the worrying. I hope everything goes well with the rest of your pregnancy and labor. Sending prayers and lots of love mama!!
Hi!
I’m 16 weeks and my doctor was able to confirm SUA, but assured me that everything else was fine for the moment. I have to say that one thing on my mind is the possibility of crippling medical debt from any complications that could arise.. Did you have good insurance to cover these surgeries? Did you need to have a GoFundMe?
Thanks in advance for anything you can share!