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
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:
• 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
How to Diagnose Vasa Previa
Vasa previa can be diagnosed by using
transvaginal color Doppler ultrasound.
 Management of
Diagnosed 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…