At the 21st week of pregnancy, the expectant mother should undergo dopplerometry of the umbilical cord. This study is conducted to identify the number of vessels of the umbilical cord and to obtain mathematical indicators of the blood flow through them. It is necessary to identify possible pathologies of pregnancy and fetal development.
Often happens, that passage of this inspection is accompanied by strong experiences of the future mummy. Unfortunately, doctors tend to give the patient (in our case - the patient) a conclusion with dry figures, without explaining anything. It is necessary for the woman to independently search for answers to the questions: how many, actually, should the cord have an umbilical cord and how should they work, these vessels of the umbilical cord. We will try to explain as much as possible.
Number of vessels in the umbilical cord
The umbilical cord is a kind of "rope" that connects the mother's body and the fetus, or more precisely, their circulatory systems. Normally, the umbilical cord has 3 vessels: 1 vein and 2 arteries. Through the vein, oxygen-enriched blood with nutrients from the mother's body through the placenta enters the bloodstream of the child, and along the arteries, blood with the products of the life of the future baby goes to the placenta and then to the mother's body.
What are the deviations from the norm?
In 0.5% of singleton and in 5% of multiple pregnancies, doctors diagnose "EAP" (the only artery of the umbilical cord). This means that in this case the umbilical cord has 2 vessels instead of 3.
The absence of one artery is either original, or developed during pregnancy (ie, it was, but atrophied and ceased to perform its function). Diabetes in pregnant women multiplies the possibility of EAP.
Is it dangerous?
Most physicians believe that the EAP can be a marker of chromosomal abnormalities. In this case, the prenatal examination needs to be expanded, in order to identify congenital malformations. This means that if, in addition to the EAP, the ultrasound examination showed the presence of any congenital malformations or fetal anomalies, there is a probability (about 30%) that the fetus has a chromosomal abnormality. When suspected of a chromosomal anomaly, it is important during pregnancy to repeatedly perform a Doppler study of blood flow in the artery of the umbilical cord. Measurement of blood flow velocity in the umbilical artery with an accuracy of 76-100% allows predicting the presence or absence of abnormalities in fetal development.
In most cases (60-90% of pregnancies) of EAP cases is an isolated defect (not accompanied by other abnormalities), and this is not dangerous. Of course, the load on a single vessel is more than two, but one artery usually copes well with its function. Only in 14-15% of cases, the presence of a single artery increases the risk of birth of a small child.
Does not exert a significant influence on the birth process. If the leading doctor and midwife are informed of the existing defect, there is no cause for concern. You can be sure that a qualified doctor will choose the right tactics for conducting labor, which will ensure the safety of the mother and baby and the safe outcome of labor.