Marginal cord insertion/velamentous cord insertion

goldendoodle

I had my 20 week u/s on Monday and was diagnosed with marginal cord insertion or possibly a velamentous cord insertion as well as placenta previa.  If it is velamentous cord insertion, my doctor said they would likely put me on hospital bedrest starting at 23 weeks.  All of this, of course, came as quite a shock and I am still trying to process what all of this could mean for the baby and for the rest of my pregnancy.  Has anyone else been diagnosed with either of these issues?  How is your doctor treating it? 

E&RMommy

I don't have this but I wanted to say good luck.  I am glad they are taking it seriously.  Hang in there!

rcbuko

I have marginal cord insertion as well as marginal placenta previa.  So far the only plan is for me to have another ultrasound at 28 weeks to see if the placenta has moved up. My doctor and I didn't even discuss the marginal cord insertion (I have a copy of the ultrasound report so that's how I know I have it).  After seeing your post and looking online, I am now worried about it and will bring it up at my next appointment.  Needless to say, I am freaked out.  

Wishing us both the best of luck.  It does appear as though things will likely turn out well for us both.   

goldendoodle

rcbuko:

I have marginal cord insertion as well as marginal placenta previa.  So far the only plan is for me to have another ultrasound at 28 weeks to see if the placenta has moved up. My doctor and I didn't even discuss the marginal cord insertion (I have a copy of the ultrasound report so that's how I know I have it).  After seeing your post and looking online, I am now worried about it and will bring it up at my next appointment.  Needless to say, I am freaked out.  

Wishing us both the best of luck.  It does appear as though things will likely turn out well for us both.   

I didn't mean to scare anyone!  My doctor definitely told me not to google it (and I made it about 2 hours before I did).

From what I've read, marginal cord insertion is much less of a concern than velamentous cord insertion.  For marginal cord insertion, they will usually just monitor the baby's growth to make sure it is on track.  It might also mean that a c-section is more likely, but not necessarily.  Otherwise, I think there is little risk to mom or baby.  Good luck to you!

wannabemomma

I am a graduate...but check back to answer questions... I was diagnosed with marginal/velamentous cord insertion at 20 weeks...my doctor said that I would have antoehr U/S at 27 weeks to check growth.  At the 27 week appt they found me to have vasa previa with velamentous cord and I was admitted to the hospital several days later.  I was on bedrest for 7 weeks and had my little girl at 34 weeks. They were most concerned with preventing me from going into early labor and preventing any pressure on the cord (which crossed my cervix and had exposed vessels).  I have heard many success stories of velamentous cords and while I was in he hospital went through many "roomies" and several had it...they went on to have healthy babies (a little early and via C section though) while hospitals are no fun...it will all be worth it when you hold baby in your arms...the constant monitoring is very important...keep us updated and take care!

goldendoodle

Wannabemomma -- Thank you for your message.  It is so nice to hear a success story.  There isn't much information about it on the internet and what is out there is scary!

I am looking forward to my Level II ultrasound tomorrow when we will hopefully find out for sure whether it is marginal or velamentous and be able to talk to a perinatologist about what our plan for monitoring/treatment will be. 

ldennison

Hi there. I have velamentous cord insertion and I am almost 26 weeks. The doctors do not seem overly concerned. I go to the high risk OB every 4 weeks to monitor the baby's growth but otherwise I have no restrictions at all (I still go the gym, yoga, work, etc). At this point our baby is still growing right on track. The doc said if at any point she falls below the 10th percentile for size then they will induce me or do a c-section, BUT there is no real fear that that will happen but we need to monitor just in case.

 My biggest concern was delivery. I thought this guranteed a c-section for me. But both my drs (my regular OB and high risk OB) say it does not. When I do go into labor the baby will need to be continuously monitored to make sure that her heart rate does not dip too much as she decends and in that case, yes I will need a c-section. But I can at least give it a shot vaginally.

My doctors have made a point to tell me that many people have velamentous insertions and they do not even know it until the point of delivery. So, long story short....it is very very scary ( I cried for 3 days after I found out) but I know that as long as I am growing that our baby is growing and one way or another she will get here! I have a lot more I could say about it so let me know if you have questions :-)

shanesfiance

I was diagnosed with velamentous cord insertion at 22 weeks.  My regular OB referred me to a Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist for monthly  ultrasounds and appointments as well as my regular appointments (so I was going twice a month from 22 weeks til 30 weeks).  At 30 weeks, my OB started doing weekly Biophysical Profiles/ultrasounds and appointments. 

The main concerns they had was 1. location of placenta.  Luckily mine is up pretty high, definitely no previa, which would be the biggest concern.  Teh other concern is that VCI can lead to slow or stopped growth if nutrients aren't getting to baby through the cord.  That is why I have the weekly BPPs--to check that her organs are developing and that she is getting bigger.

I was told I only have a slighlty higher chance of c-section because of the VCI.  That would happen if labor/contractions compress the cord and cause fetal distress.

My MFM also told me not to google it, but that if I did, to make sure to disregard any info on vasa previa, which is not the same as VCI, but the two can co-occur.

I am 34 weeks and my LO is measuring at the 40th percentile for growth.  I have not had any restrictions because of the VCI.