As it turns out, I just found out yesterday that Wednesday's ultrasound revealed that I not only have a Full Placenta Previa, but now I also have a Vasa Previa as well. My doctor called me yesterday to let me know, and stressed the importance of being at a hospital for immediate medical assistance. If I was to stay at home and started to bleed, there is a good chance we would loose the baby before being able to get to the hospital, but here at the hospital they can rush me into an emergency C-section surgery if needed. Staying at home was just too risky with this diagnosis. God is really watching over our family because Vasa Previas are so rare that they often go undetected until it is too late.
The plan is for me to be in the hospital for the next 4 weeks when the doctors plan to do the C-section. If anyone would like to visit me, I am at Banner Good Samaritan in Downtown Phoenix (McDowell & 10th Street), and I would love to see anyone who would like to stop by :-)
We truly appreciate your continued prayers for a safe delivery and healthy son.
In case you are interested in learning more about Vasa Previa, I found an informative website with a simple explanation on pregancycorner.com:
Vasa Previa During Pregnancy
The definition of this extremely rare, yet devastating condition is as follows: fetal vessels crossing or running in close proximity to the inner cervical os. These vessels course within the membranes (unsupported by the umbilical cord or placental tissue) and are at risk of rupture when the supporting membranes rupture. It carries a high mortality rate of 50-100% of cases ending in death of the fetus.
This condition takes place when the vessels of the cord grow on its exterior instead of its interior, which usually results in death for the fetus unless an emergency caesarean section is performed. As blood vessels run through the umbilical cord, then grow out of the cord and into the placenta, vasa previa occurs. Without the toughness of the fibrous cord (strength is provided when vessels grow on the inside of the umbilical cord), the blood vessels have very little support from the fetal membranes (bags of water). When labor occurs and a woman’s water breaks, the unsupported vessels in and around the umbilical cord tear, resulting in death of the baby from blood loss within 2-3 minutes.
Vasa Previa Treatment
If you are lucky enough to catch vasa previa early on, chances of survival rates range from 50-95%. The condition can be detected through the use of transvaginal sonography, mostly combined with color Doppler. Doctor’s will perform a c-section as the method of delivery, however, they don’t want to perform the c-section if it’s too early and problems can arise from the premature birth. Experts in the field suggest hospitalization in the third trimester, delivery by 35 weeks, and an immediate blood transfusion to the baby in the event of a rupture. Steroids are sometimes used to mature a baby’s lungs.
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