Congenital urethral atresia is generally considered to be incompatible with life unless there is either a patent urachus or vesicoamniotic shunt. Here we present the case of a male neonate with anhydramnios detected at 28weeks gestation due to urethral atresia, who was born without evidence of either a patent urachus or vesicoamniotic shunt, who has survived and is not requiring respiratory support at age 5months. While this is a thought-provoking clinical case, it also highlights the importance of early and effective parental engagement in cases of complex congenital anomalies of the urinary tract.