velamentous cord insertion

[Deleted User]

 It was confirmed we have velamentous cord insertion. The Dr. explained it as the cord is growing from the side of the placenta and not the center like it should. I will be going in every 4 weeks for an U/S to monitor his growth as this sometimes prevents the baby from getting all the nutrients it needs. She said that is rare and if it happens we would go at 37 weeks. Of course Dr. Google talks about other complicationsthe may come with birth but I am trying to avoid reading to much into that as of yet. Anyone heard of this. Have it?

BBennett724

I was diagnosed with VCI at 27 weeks. Initially, I was told that I have a marginal placenta previa, which I was admitted into the hospital for due to bleeding at 25 weeks. During that episode, I was placed on continuous fetal monitoring. Our baby was found to have variable decelerations, which means the baby's heart rate will drop and take a longer period to recover back to its baseline. It was discovered that I had VCI at our 27 week ultrasound. It is a good thing that our Drs. were able to diagnose the presence of VCI, because it is often not discovered until a woman delivers her baby. VCI is rare and can be very dangerous if not diagnosed. I have been on hospitalized bed rest since 25 weeks and will probably be here until I deliver, which may be at 37 weeks. My Drs. have also said that  I will more than likely require a c-section. Contractions from normal labor can compress the cord and cause the baby's heart rate to decelerate during labor. As far as growth is concerned, our baby has not had any issues so far. At our last ultrasound, our baby weighed 3.5 lbs! So far our baby has been actually measuring within the 50-60th percentile. The main things to be concerned about with VCI is changes in the baby's heart rate, which indicate that oxygen is being cut off by the cord. Normal fetal movement could cause the baby to tug on the cord more and because it is fragile it can produce these decelerations. I hope that helps and wish you luck with the rest of your pregnancy!

[Deleted User]

BBennett724:

I was diagnosed with VCI at 27 weeks. Initially, I was told that I have a marginal placenta previa, which I was admitted into the hospital for due to bleeding at 25 weeks. During that episode, I was placed on continuous fetal monitoring. Our baby was found to have variable decelerations, which means the baby's heart rate will drop and take a longer period to recover back to its baseline. It was discovered that I had VCI at our 27 week ultrasound. It is a good thing that our Drs. were able to diagnose the presence of VCI, because it is often not discovered until a woman delivers her baby. VCI is rare and can be very dangerous if not diagnosed. I have been on hospitalized bed rest since 25 weeks and will probably be here until I deliver, which may be at 37 weeks. My Drs. have also said that  I will more than likely require a c-section. Contractions from normal labor can compress the cord and cause the baby's heart rate to decelerate during labor. As far as growth is concerned, our baby has not had any issues so far. At our last ultrasound, our baby weighed 3.5 lbs! So far our baby has been actually measuring within the 50-60th percentile. The main things to be concerned about with VCI is changes in the baby's heart rate, which indicate that oxygen is being cut off by the cord. Normal fetal movement could cause the baby to tug on the cord more and because it is fragile it can produce these decelerations. I hope that helps and wish you luck with the rest of your pregnancy!

It was discovered at our A/S, or so they thought and wanted to check in 4 weeks. 4 weeks later, last week, it was confirmed. All the Dr. is saying is that it can affect growth. He is right on target now. She says 9 out of 10 times growth is not affected but if it were we would probably do a C Section at 37 weeks.

Now online is where I read about the possible risks associated with normal birth. They said that it can cause the blood vessels to rupture killing the baby. However most cases it is because the VCI causes Vassa Previa. However I also read with or with out the Vassa Preiva this can happen.

You are the first person to mention changes in the baby's heart rate.

My placenta is anterior and is no where near my cervix.

So if it is just VCI, what is done? For now they just are doing U/S every 4 weeks to monitor growth. I worry my Dr. does not see this at that big of a concern.

michpedelle85

Hi, I had velamentous cord insertion with my son born in october 2011. I went to a maternal fetal specialist for all of my ultrasounds where they were able to see the blood flow in the cord to make sure there was enough as well as check his growth and fluid levels. I never had any problems with growth. I did request starting at 36 weeks that I could go to fetal non stress tests once per week to monitor the baby and make sure he was okay in there since the velamentous insertion makes the cord more fragile. I passed the 36 week stress test with flying colors. my 37 week stress test was failed. every time the baby would move, the heart rate went way down, and it was supposed to be going up when he moved. This was obviously not good and I wouldnt have known he was having a problem in there unless it was for the stress tests. My son was born 4 hours after he failed the stress test by csection as he would not have been able to handle the labor contractions. I had noticed the night before the stress test/csection that his movements were decreased. If I were you I would ask for weekly or 2 times per week stress tests starting at 36 weeks and I would also do your kick counts. If you feel any decrease in movement, go get it checked out. Better to be safe than sorry. That cord is fragile and its your babys source of life, so dont mess around! He arrived weighing 6 pounds one ounce, scored 8 and 9 on the apgar and went home with me 3 days later, he was perfect! dont stress to much, just be cautious and proactive! Good luck momma, it will all be ok. I worried through my entire pregnancy and i regret it, please try to enjoy and dont let this consume you.

BBennett724

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--> Hi, I had velamentous cord insertion with my son born in october 2011. I went to a maternal fetal specialist for all of my ultrasounds where they were able to see the blood flow in the cord to make sure there was enough as well as check his growth and fluid levels. I never had any problems with growth. I did request starting at 36 weeks that I could go to fetal non stress tests once per week to monitor the baby and make sure he was okay in there since the velamentous insertion makes the cord more fragile. I passed the 36 week stress test with flying colors. my 37 week stress test was failed. every time the baby would move, the heart rate went way down, and it was supposed to be going up when he moved. This was obviously not good and I wouldnt have known he was having a problem in there unless it was for the stress tests. My son was born 4 hours after he failed the stress test by csection as he would not have been able to handle the labor contractions. I had noticed the night before the stress test/csection that his movements were decreased. If I were you I would ask for weekly or 2 times per week stress tests starting at 36 weeks and I would also do your kick counts. If you feel any decrease in movement, go get it checked out. Better to be safe than sorry. That cord is fragile and its your babys source of life, so dont mess around! He arrived weighing 6 pounds one ounce, scored 8 and 9 on the apgar and went home with me 3 days later, he was perfect! dont stress to much, just be cautious and proactive! Good luck momma, it will all be ok. I worried through my entire pregnancy and i regret it, please try to enjoy and dont let this consume you.

 

 

This is kind of what happened to me, except I was hospitalized for the bleeding, put on the fetal monitor and they detected the heart rate dropping. My Drs. will not allow me to be discharged unless my son can go 72 hours without the decelerations. Unfortunately, he has had at least one drop a day. My Drs. said there is a 50/50 chance that it might improve, or it might just be consistent throughout the pregnancy because of the VCI.

[Deleted User]

I am so happy you both discovered the decelerations in time. I am curious though. If I should go in or monitoring right away, or actually wait till the 36. Like I said none of the Dr.s have said anything about this, or what I read on line about the blood vessels rupturing. It actually pisses me off all they are only concerned about is his growth. I don?t know if they are on the why worry till we need to and not telling me everything or they really don?t know. Either way I am scared to death. I will be 24 weeks this week and have an anterior placenta so his kicks are still light and random so its hard for me to know if he has decreased movement.

michpedelle85

I would wait until at least 34 weeks to start the weekly monitoring. None of my doctors outright suggested it, I asked to have it done and they agreed. They never would have said anything if I never asked. I too was upset they were only concerned about growth, Google had me scared out of my mind and they acted like it was no big deal! A lot of times, velamentous cord insertion isnt even discovered until after birth, and the babies are fine. I was told that going into labor on my own and having a vaginal delivery was fine, but the stress test with decelerations called for a csection which was surprisingly very easy (so do not worry if you have to have one). Be your own advocate and ask for monitoring at 34 weeks. Go weekly. Dont ever think you are being silly to call and ask the doctor a question or go to Labor and Delivery if you feel something just isnt right. You can never be too safe. It will all be okay, like I said, be proactive be your own advocate, go for the weekly monitoring. 

[Deleted User]

michpedelle85:

I would wait until at least 34 weeks to start the weekly monitoring. None of my doctors outright suggested it, I asked to have it done and they agreed. They never would have said anything if I never asked. I too was upset they were only concerned about growth, Google had me scared out of my mind and they acted like it was no big deal! A lot of times, velamentous cord insertion isnt even discovered until after birth, and the babies are fine. I was told that going into labor on my own and having a vaginal delivery was fine, but the stress test with decelerations called for a csection which was surprisingly very easy (so do not worry if you have to have one). Be your own advocate and ask for monitoring at 34 weeks. Go weekly. Dont ever think you are being silly to call and ask the doctor a question or go to Labor and Delivery if you feel something just isnt right. You can never be too safe. It will all be okay, like I said, be proactive be your own advocate, go for the weekly monitoring. 

I saw my OB and he actually mentioned the possible rupturing during birth. But and only half agreed when I brought up the declarations. He agreed we could do monitoring but suggested later on and said if I felt more comfortable we could do a C Sec. However his main concern was really waiting and seeing I am only 24 weeks so between the NST and the U/S we hopefully will have a better idea. He says it really depends on just exactly where and how strong the cord is. Which they have not been able to 100% determine yet. Thanks again for everything,

Jaj123

Hi There -

So glad I found this forum. I am 23 weeks pg and found out at my routine US yesterday that I have VCI. It was a meternal fetal specialist that diagnosed it. Maybe it is because I am still so early in the pregnancy, but she seemed rather nonchalant about it and asked that I come backin 4 weeks for another US to monitor growth. When I got home I started googling VCI (not a good idea) and now realize how serious this could potential be! This is my 3rd pregancy and my first two were all natural (no drugs) vaginal deliveries. So you can imagine how I feel about reading how so many women with VCI need a C section. I'm thinking my next follow up appointment will be the all telling one where I will learn more about exactly what the situation is in the womb? Will I just be monitored closely? Will they suggest hopital stay for my 3 tri? Both of my previous children, while born healthy with no issues, were preterm (35 weeks and 36 weeks), so I wonder if that is going to freak the doctors out more now that I have VCI ? It is hard not to let this stuff creep up on you and worry you the rest of your pregnancy. I think I am on information overload. LOL