Vasa Previa Awareness

johnson617 · January 2015

Hello All!

I haven't been very active on this board due to a series of pregnancy complications. I wanted to post about the condition I have, so that it may raise awareness as it is a rare pregnancy complication.

First my backstory: At my 10week appointment, I was given the option to go to see an MFM for our anatomy scan, given the fact my sister had previously had a child with anencephaly. Surprised, I said no, that I was okay with not being referred. After the appointment, I couldn't stop thinking about it and discussed it with my husband. I called back a week later asking for the referral.

Our anatomy scan went well, but I did have a low lying placenta. All else looked okay, although they couldn't see where the umbilical cord inserted into the placenta and wanted a few extra pictures of the baby's spine. I would return 3 weeks later for a follow up with the placenta previa and additional spine shots.

So at 22w I went back to the MFM and had my follow up ultrasounds. Everything seemed okay during the initial ultrasound but she did say she wanted to do an internal as well, which I figured was to measure if the placenta had moved. Knowing the techs can't say much, I waited to see the dr. The Dr started with good news, that my placenta had moved, as was no longer considered low-lying. Then she went on to explain that I had velamentous cord insertion. Which meant nothing to me, but she explained that the cord wasn't inserted directly into the placenta and how it trans-versed the membranes. It seemed okay and not a big deal until she also explained that the umbilical cord itself was actually covering my cervix. Again, not really knowing what this meant, I just said okay. Then the next thing I heard was that the mortality rate of the baby is 80% when not discovered. She kept talking and explaining all the precautions I would have, but I couldn't wrap my head around she was saying. Bad appointment to not have someone in the room with me. I left very upset and still confused as to what was going on. All I remember was her saying I'd be back in a month for another check.

I got home and immediately began researching what was going on because I hadn't really comprehended anything after the mortality rate. Luckily, I came across a lot of positive sites that explained the situation, as I'm sure she had and I just didn't get, and that the mortality rate when Vasa Previa is diagnosed is super low. So I spent a month looking things up and becoming educated about what was going on and planning for the upcoming months, since it would drastically change the rest of my pregnancy.

In December, I went back for my follow up and nothing had changed. The cord was still covering my cervix and we discussed the rest of my care plan. At 28wI started 2x weekly non-stress tests and ultrasounds to check fluid levels. All of those had been normal, so I went back to the MFM on new years eve. At that point, I knew I would be admitted to the hospital but wasn't sure when. We decided on Jan 11 (31w6d) since all my tests had been normal so far. So this past Sunday, I was admitted and will stay through delivery. Delivery will be via c-section somewhere around 35-36w assuming all continues to go well. The biggest concern at this point is preterm labor. Any signs of labor or bleeding, will result in an emergency c-section. With Vasa Previa, if your water breaks, the umbilical cord will likely sever. Portions of the umbilical cord are not protected and are just veins/arteries without the wharton's jelly around them, which puts the baby at risk, should they sever since it is the baby's only source of blood supply. So that is why hospital monitoring is always recommended for VP patients, because you literally have 2-3 minutes to save the baby should anything happen.

The condition is very rare, but since I've been diagnosed, the majority of people and even my regular OB and other providers, have never heard of it or had a case of it in their practice. I've had ultrasound techs tell me how lucky I am that someone found it because they don't think they would have. It's a very serious condition, but can be easily detected with ultrasound and color flow doppler. There are some risk factors for the condition, but prior to being diagnosed with VP, the only condition I had was the marginal placenta previa.

I hope that sharing my story and this link can help educate everyone on the condition. Although rare, it is a fatal condition for the baby if not caught ahead of time. Thanks for taking the time to read this!!

https://vasaprevia.com/Vasa-Previa-Defined

Joon+ · January 2015

Wow! Thank you for your story - you're right, I had never heard of this. So glad to hear your care providers have been on the ball and monitoring you so closely. T&Ps everything continues to go smoothly for you and you make it to your scheduled c-section date. Thank goodness for modern medicine and all its wonders!

bdazzld · January 2015

Thank you for sharing! Thoughts and prayers are with you and I hope that everything continues to go well! Very happy your providers caught this and can keep such a close eye on you!

071115 · January 2015

Wow. Thanks for the story. I have never heard of this before. Best of luck on bedrest, and hope the baby stays until your scheduled c section.

BitsyBelle84 · January 2015

Thank you for sharing. T&P for you and your LO. Hope everything continues to look good and you make it to your scheduled c-section date with no additional complications.

CoozieInMyPurse · January 2015

Wow. Thank you for sharing and best of luck to you and your little one. Stick around and become part of the community.

beccaj25 · January 2015

Haven't heard about this since med school! Glad they found it and hope everything goes smoothly from here until the finish for you

mangomimosa · January 2015

So sorry you are dealing with this, and thank you for sharing your story! I will keep you & your LO in my thoughts!

I remember a few years ago we had a VP patient on our antepartum ward. (I'm a nurse.) She had a similar story. The nurses ran drills to see how fast they could get her bed upstairs to L&D in the event her water broke -- the nurses were on pins & needles for weeks (nothing compared to what the patient was going through!) She did make it to her scheduled c/s & everything went fine. FX you have an uneventful delivery, too! :::hugs:::

estark03 · January 2015

Thanks for sharing! Keep us updated on your LO! Good luck with the delivery!

ruemorgan · January 2015

Wow! I had no idea about VP, thanks for sharing. You and your LO will be in my thoughts.

canadianttc1st · January 2015

I'm so sorry to hear you are going through this. If you are on FB at all check out a page called placenta previa & accreta support page. There are many women on there going through the same thing. It's nice to hear their positive stories and have a community of woman who are dealing with the same thing

okayestmom12 · January 2015

You know I think you're pretty fabulous. And so strong. Hugs! So proud of you for being an advocate for your little one.

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