Lambie
03-11-2006, 15:07
Hi,
I was induced at 40weeks and 4 days with my DD as she had shown as being small-for-age during an u/s. At this stage my OBGYN could not advise as too why she was so small.
I gave birth, naturally to a very healthy, yet small (2.4kg) baby. While delivering the placenta the umbilical cord snapped twice. On further examination of the placenta and umbilical cord it was discovered that the reason she was so small was due to Vasa Previa.
On further thought, it most likely would have be the reason behind the 3 bleeds that I had during my pregnancy.
Vasa previa is an uncommon cord abnormality (occurring in about 1 in 3,000 births) that can be life-threatening for the unborn baby. This complication occurs when the umbilical cord inserts abnormally in the fetal membranes of the placenta, instead of in the center of the placenta (which may be abnormally shaped or positioned). The abnormal cord placement results, in a minority of cases, in fetal blood vessels that run through the membranes being unprotected by the umbilical cord. Vasa previa occurs when these unprotected fetal blood vessels cross the cervix, sometimes rupturing when the membranes do, causing life-threatening bleeding in the baby. Even if the fetal blood vessels don't rupture, the baby may suffer from lack of oxygen due to pressure on the blood vessels.
My OBGYN advised that there is a high chance that future pregnancies for me may result in the same umbilical abnormality.
I would love to hear from other women who are in the same boat, and find out what precautions are taken as a result.
I was induced at 40weeks and 4 days with my DD as she had shown as being small-for-age during an u/s. At this stage my OBGYN could not advise as too why she was so small.
I gave birth, naturally to a very healthy, yet small (2.4kg) baby. While delivering the placenta the umbilical cord snapped twice. On further examination of the placenta and umbilical cord it was discovered that the reason she was so small was due to Vasa Previa.
On further thought, it most likely would have be the reason behind the 3 bleeds that I had during my pregnancy.
Vasa previa is an uncommon cord abnormality (occurring in about 1 in 3,000 births) that can be life-threatening for the unborn baby. This complication occurs when the umbilical cord inserts abnormally in the fetal membranes of the placenta, instead of in the center of the placenta (which may be abnormally shaped or positioned). The abnormal cord placement results, in a minority of cases, in fetal blood vessels that run through the membranes being unprotected by the umbilical cord. Vasa previa occurs when these unprotected fetal blood vessels cross the cervix, sometimes rupturing when the membranes do, causing life-threatening bleeding in the baby. Even if the fetal blood vessels don't rupture, the baby may suffer from lack of oxygen due to pressure on the blood vessels.
My OBGYN advised that there is a high chance that future pregnancies for me may result in the same umbilical abnormality.
I would love to hear from other women who are in the same boat, and find out what precautions are taken as a result.