Every mom wishes to undergo an untroubled, healthy transition from pregnancy to holding her baby in her arms. Right from choosing the perfect baby name to planning everything for their future, complete heart and mind is put into every decision. Most of the pregnancies turn out just fine, perhaps with a few minor hiccups. But yes, any to-be mom can always get anxious after hearing about those uncommon complications that could occur while giving birth.
One such condition is Vasa Previa—an uncommon yet serious condition wherein fragile blood vessels of the baby or placenta pass through the birth canal. Unless diagnosed promptly, these can rupture during delivery, risking the baby. The good news is that with careful management and prompt diagnosis, conditions can be remarkably improved.
As you prepare to welcome your little one, it’s also a special time to prepare for the future. Increasingly, parents are now choosing to bank their baby’s stem cells with trusted companies like Lifecell, offering future protection against a string of medical illnesses. It’s just another way of giving your child a healthy head-start.
So let’s discuss what vasa previa is, what are its causes, how physicians identify it, and what precautions are taken to keep both mother and baby safe and healthy.
What Is Vasa Previa?
Vasa previa is a rare but serious problem during pregnancy. It happens when some of the baby’s blood vessels from the umbilical cord cross over the opening of the cervix (the lower part of the uterus). These vessels are not protected like they usually are. If your water breaks during labor, these exposed vessels can tear and cause heavy bleeding, which can be very dangerous for the baby.
The good news is that if vasa previa is found early, doctors can plan a C-section before labor starts, which usually prevents any harm to the baby.
There are two main types of vasa previa:
- Type I: This happens when the umbilical cord attaches in the wrong place on the placenta. The baby’s blood vessels end up traveling outside the placenta and may lie over the cervix. These vessels are not protected and can easily tear during labor.
- Type II: This happens when the placenta is split into two parts, called a bilobed placenta. Blood vessels connecting the two parts may lie near or over the cervix. These vessels can also tear when labor begins.
In both types, early diagnosis and careful delivery planning are key to keeping the baby safe.
Who Is More Likely to Have Vasa Previa?
Over time, doctors have realized the key risk factors predisposing a person to this condition. This understanding allows medical caregivers to monitor pregnancies and arrange safer deliveries.
Some pregnancies have a higher chance of vasa previa. Here are a few situations where the risk might be higher:
- Pregnancy through IVF or other fertility treatments: These methods can sometimes cause the placenta or umbilical cord to grow in unusual places, which makes vasa previa more likely.
- Low-lying placenta or placenta previa: If the placenta is close to or covering the cervix (the opening to the birth canal), the baby’s blood vessels might also be there— and that can be risky during delivery.
- Placenta with two or more parts (bilobed or succenturiate placenta): Sometimes, the placenta forms in separate pieces. If blood vessels connect the pieces and those vessels cross over the cervix, they could tear when labor starts.
- Pregnancy with twins or more: Having more than one baby increases the chance of unusual cord or placental placement, which can raise the risk of vasa previa.
- Velamentous cord insertion: Normally, the umbilical cord connects to the middle of the placenta. But in this case, it attaches at the edge, and the baby’s blood vessels aren’t protected. This makes them easier to tear during labor.
If one of these risk factors is present, doctors will often use a close-up ultrasound to confirm the condition. With good planning and early detection, the chances of a healthy outcome are very high. Vasa previa can be dangerous, but with proper treatment, most babies are delivered without complications.
Diagnosis of Vasa Previa
Early diagnosis is very important to prevent severe damage to the baby. Most are diagnosed only in labor, after bleeding has started. It can be diagnosed pre-labor by ultrasound, though.
How it’s diagnosed:
- Routine ultrasound: This scans the placenta and cord. If there is a low-lying placenta, extra placental lobes, or velamentous cord insertion, doctors investigate further.
- A transvaginal scan (TVS): This gives a better picture of the cervix and lower uterus.
- Color Doppler: It verifies if any blood vessels are crossing near the cervix and belong to the baby.
Early diagnosis enables doctors to plan a safe C-section before labor starts.
How Is Vasa Previa Treated?
The main treatment approach for vasa previa is a planned cesarean delivery, normally between 34 and 36 weeks, before labor begins or the rupture of membranes starts. This avoids the baby from suffering from life-threatening complications due to the rupture of exposed blood vessels during labor. Throughout your pregnancy, your doctor will monitor the growth of your baby with periodic ultrasounds. And, from around 32 weeks, you may have regular weekly tests such as nonstress tests or biophysical profiles to keep an eye on your baby’s well-being.
If you are at a risk of delivering prematurely, you may receive steroid injections to help develop your baby’s lungs. These injections are most effective if given between 7 days of your delivery. Depending on individual conditions, the doctor may recommend hospitalization between 28 to 32 weeks, especially if there are signs of preterm labor or a smaller cervix. However, the majority of patients can be safely discharged home with instructions regarding when to return to the hospital.
You will also be advised not to have sex and not to undertake heavy physical exertions (termed pelvic rest) to reduce the risk of bleeding or premature labor. The objective is to carefully follow your pregnancy and deliver safely before any complications arise.
In Conclusion
It can be overwhelming to be diagnosed with vasa previa, but with timely treatment and a planned delivery, most babies are born healthy and safe. Doctors are well-versed to deal with this condition, and regular checkups, monitoring, and a planned C-section can reduce the risks considerably.
You’re already doing a great job by being aware and taking steps to protect your baby. Your healthcare team is there to walk you through every step of the way.
As you prepare to bring your baby into the world, it’s a good time to think about their long-term health as well. Many parents choose to save their newborn’s stem cells with trusted companies like LifeCell stem cell banking. These cells, taken from the umbilical cord when the baby is born, have the potential to treat some serious medical illnesses in the future. Thus becoming another source of comfort for your family.
Every step you take today is helping to give your baby the best start in life. Just get on with it—you can do it, and your baby is very lucky to have you.
