My DS is 5 years old. He was diagnosed with severe renal complications at the 20 week US. My DS has an absent left kidney and many complications with his solitary right kidney. He was diagnosed with a dilated renal pelvis on US, I'm sorry I can't remember the measurement! A dilated renal pelvis is usually indicative of hydronephrosis - the urine pools in the renal pelvis rather than draining directly into the bladder. The kidney is at risk of damage by the pressure the urine exerts on the kidney and is also more prone to infection once bub is born. Having said all of that, the sonographer is correct - a dilated renal pelvis at 20 weeks gestation will *usually* correct itself by the time bub is born. The measurement is variable from hour to hour as it depends on how full the bladder is. Even if your bub has a dilated renal pelvis at the time of birth, or hydronephrosis of that kidney, it may improve or correct itself over the first year or two of bub's life as the kidney grows and develops. The best news is, your bub has another perfectly healthy looking kidney which is very capable of doing the job on it's own (not that a dilated renal pelvis indicates a non-functioning kidney!).
As difficult as it is, try to relax and enjoy your pregnancy. I truly hope that by the time of your next US your bub's renal pelvis has corrected - but even if it hasn't your baby will still be fine.
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