What is Vasa Previa?

Vasa previa is a rarely reported condition (1:2,500 births) in which fetal blood vessels from the placenta or umbilical cord cross the entrance to the birth canal, beneath the baby.

Vasa Previa

Two Forms of Vasa Previa 1) Velamentous

insertion means that the fetal vessels, unprotected by Wharton’s jelly, traverse the membranes before they come together into the umbilical cord. 

Bilobed Placenta 2) A bilobed placenta

consists of two parts of the placenta. Vasa previa may result from vessels running in the membranes between the two lobes.

Succenturiate Lobed Placenta

A succenturiate (accessory) lobe is a second or third placental lobe that is much smaller than the largest lobe.

Risk Factors

• Low lying placenta or placenta previa• Velamentous cord insertion• Bilobed or succenturiate lobed placenta• Multiple pregnancies• In vitro fertilization (IVF) pregnancies• History of uterine surgery or D & C• Painless bleeding

The International Vasa Previa Foundation (IVPF) believes that women with the following conditions are at risk and should be investigated with transvaginal color Doppler ultrasound:

How to Diagnose Vasa Previa Vasa previa can be diagnosed by using

transvaginal color Doppler ultrasound.

Management ofDiagnosed Vasa Previa

• Bedrest

• Hospital admission in the third trimester

• Steroid injections to promote fetal lung maturation

• Elective Cesarean section at 35 weeks

What to Do When Vasa Previa Is Suspected after a Bleed

• Emergency C-section• Aggressive resuscitation of the baby with blood

transfusion following delivery• APT test blood testing to determine origin of

blood loss (maternal or fetal) for abnormally heavy bloody shows or bleeds that are not considered life threatening when the fetus is not in distress

It only takes a moment

to diagnose life…