My baby's umbilical cord has 2 blood vessels instead of three and I have to go for a further ultrasound scan. Is there cause for concern?

The umbilical cord normally contains two arteries (Blood going from the baby to placenta) and one vein (blood coming back from the placenta to the baby). In 1-2% of pregnancies, there is a 'two vessel cord' otherwise known as 'single umbilical artery'. This is usually a variant of normal, and of no significance for you or the baby. In some, rare, cases, it may be linked to problems in the baby-most importantly of the kidneys, or spine, and baby's growth may be affected. This is why it is normal practice to refer you for a specialist scan to hopefully rule out any of these problems.

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My baby's umbilical cord has 2 blood vessels instead of three and I have to go for a further ultrasound scan. Is there cause for concern?

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