Umbilical Varicose Vein During Pregnancy: Causes, Monitoring & Outlook

Question
I am 32 and this is my 3rd pregnancy.  I have a 6 and 2 yr. old.  We started doing ultrasounds every 2 weeks at 26 weeks d/t I was started on Lopressor 50mg for SVT.  The 28 week ultrasound showed an umbilical varix and we were referred to OSU Medical Center to see a specialist.  We are continuing to monitor with ultrasounds every 2 weeks and nonstress test 2x/week.  My question for you is have you ever seen an umbilical varix since they are rare and when do you recommend induction?  We are looking at the 36 week/5 day mark.  I am currently 31 weeks 3 days.  Also, if you have seen one, what was the outcome?  There  were no other abnormalities noted except for a 5mm dilatation of the Left kidney at the ureter.  Any thoughts on this would be appreciated since I am of course worried about the baby and I am a nurse so I have been told of possible outcomes which doesn't ease my mind.
Thanks!

Answer
Any time there is any abnormal blood vessel noted during pregnancy, it is a waiting game. You do not want to run the risk of the vessel rupturing and causing problems with the baby. Yet, you do not want to induce deliver until the lungs of the baby are mature enough to exist in the outside world. Usualy, after 35 weeks gestation, the baby will be mature enough. After 36 weeks, you should be safe enough. I would continue taking non stress tests and a biophysical profile each week to assess the fetus. If there are any signs of distress, the delivery should be done immediately and the baby can be treated in the NICU. By now, the baby would do fine in the NICU if you are pushed to deliver it now. Umblical varices are, indeed, rare, and in the few I've seen the baby did fine.