Audrey Drummey, MD

Fibroids + pregnancy? Here’s what you actually need to know 🤰🩺

Fibroids are common—and finding one during pregnancy can feel scary. The good news? Most people with fibroids go on to have healthy pregnancies. ❤️

A few things can change depending on the size, number, and location of the fibroid, so your OB may keep a closer eye on things as your pregnancy progresses.

Save this for later + send it to someone who’s pregnant with fibroids.

💛 What does it mean if your baby has a single umbilical artery?

During pregnancy, the umbilical cord typically contains three blood vessels: two arteries and one vein. A single umbilical artery (SUA), also called a two-vessel cord, means there is only one umbilical artery instead of two.

So…is this something to worry about? Usually, no.

A single umbilical artery occurs in about 0.5-1% of pregnancies and, in many cases, it is an isolated finding — meaning everything else on the ultrasound looks completely normal.

When an SUA is identified, your OB or maternal-fetal medicine specialist will typically take a closer look at the baby’s anatomy because SUA can be associated with certain structural differences, particularly involving the heart and kidneys.

If the detailed ultrasound is reassuring and the SUA is isolated, the vast majority of these pregnancies have healthy outcomes. Your care team may also recommend additional monitoring later in pregnancy to make sure baby is growing appropriately.

The bottom line: A two-vessel cord can sound scary when you first hear it, but an isolated single umbilical artery is often simply something we monitor rather than something we treat. 💕

If your ultrasound report says “single umbilical artery” and you’re wondering what it means for your pregnancy, talk with your OB about whether additional imaging or growth monitoring is recommended.

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Should you get the AFP test during pregnancy? 🧬

If you’re pregnant, you may be offered an alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) blood test during your second trimester — but what exactly is it looking for, and do you need it if you’ve already had NIPT?

AFP is a protein made by your baby that can be measured in your blood. When checked as part of second-trimester maternal serum screening, it can help assess the risk of certain fetal conditions, particularly open neural tube defects such as spina bifida.

A few important things to know:

✨ AFP is different from NIPT. NIPT primarily screens for certain chromosomal conditions, while AFP provides information about neural tube defects and other pregnancy-related factors.

✨ Timing matters. AFP is generally drawn during the second trimester, most commonly around 15–20 weeks of pregnancy.

✨ A normal NIPT doesn’t replace AFP. These tests look at different things, so your provider may still recommend AFP even if your NIPT was low risk.

✨ An abnormal AFP does NOT mean something is definitely wrong. Dating discrepancies, multiple pregnancy, placental factors, and other reasons can affect the result. An abnormal result typically means additional evaluation — often with a detailed ultrasound — is recommended.

So, should you get it? That’s a conversation to have with your OB based on your pregnancy, the screening you’ve already had, and your preferences.

And remember: prenatal testing is about screening and gathering information, not about predicting your baby’s future with certainty. 💛

This post is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice.

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