Any info on Vasa Previa??

[treightonsmum]

Found out yesterday that I have Vasa Previa. I know a little about it but I would appreciate so much anymore info from anyone one who has had it or knows of someone who has had it. And what happened as a result of it? Im not too worried but am thinking of having a C-section by choice if its safer for baby and myself. Thanks.... Kathy.

[JanetF]

Hi Kathy
that's a really serious condition and your careprovider should have loaded you with information. You're on a difficult path and you need LOTS of support. These websites will give you heaps of info. I hope you can access support and get the care you need. Hugs to you, how scary it is when we find something so serious affecting our pregnancies. *hugs*

http://ivpf.org/forum/
http://www.vasaprevia.com/
I haven't seen any specifically Aussie groups but I bet there's a yahoo group somewhere.

[treightonsmum]

Thank you Janet for those web sites I will take a look at them now. I was a bit concerned about it because I had nothing like this with my other two pregnancy's. Just goes to show how different each one can be. LOL and hugz to you also... Kathy.

[tickle]

Hi Kathy,
I really don't know a lot about vasa previa but I just wanted to wish you all the best.
Please let us know how you get on.
Best wishes,
Ellen and Oliver.:)

[treightonsmum]

Well my OB thinks that because its so rare that its nothing to worry about! In the recomendations made by the International Vasa Previa Foundation I should be in hospital and induced at 35 weeks! Im now 34weeks and 4days and the best he can offer me is to bump my next ultrasound forward from 3/1/06(37 weeks) to 27/12/05 before my clinic visit on the 28th, "If that will ease my mind". I had a lengthy conversation with him on the phone on Friday night and voiced my concerns but feel as though Im being ignored as a needy pregnant woman!
I have no other choice right now being so close to the end of my pregnancy but to stay with this particular public hospital. I am afraid of the outcome because I have already just managed to save this baby at 18 weeks after I was struck down with a rare form of viral Meningitis.
All I know is that if I go into preterm labour it could be fatal for my baby. Its true as it says on the Vasa Previa website that doctors can save more babies if they diagnose and take the necessary steps in preventing such tragedy's. They think it so rare that its not likely to happen even when I fit 4/6 risk factors and have it on my ultrasound come up as query Vasa Previa.
So Im leaving it up to fate right now as worrying will only do me more harm than good. I will have to have faith in what this OB says and leave it to his conscience.
LOL and hugz Kathy.

[reAllytee]

I would ring your hospy & ask the midwifes their opinion & if so maybe see if you can speak with another doctor about it. As it is NOT good enough to be brushed off especially when you are getting so close to term & this can be fatal. Some doctors have no idea about bedside manner i mean he probably may know what he is doing on terms of it all but to just say to you " dont worry about it " just isnt good enough especially when you are seeking answers & are rather concerned if not stressed about it. I really would try to talk to someone else as this could really be jeopardising bubs & to me thats not good enough.

[JanetF]

I wouldn't trust a careprovider who diagnosed me with a lifethreatening condition and then did nothing. Maybe you don't really have VP at all? Your baby isn't going to die from prematurity this late in your pregnancy but that's not the problem for VP babies. It's the loss of blood and oxygen that kills and according to all the studies I read, it kills 50-100% of the time. If you really believe you have this condition you need to complain to the medical board that your Ob is threatening your safety and that of your baby and get a 2nd, 3rd and 4th opinion to be really sure that you're safe. I'm the last person in the world to advocate unnecessary use of technology but are you really prepared to hand all your power over to someone who isn't taking care of you? Please do something proactive to ensure your baby's safety as this is a LIFE THREATENING CONDITION. I can't be clearer than that.

[treightonsmum]

Thank you for the encouragement. I made some persuation phone calls over the weekend.
I had a phone call from the director of the hospital this morning and he has booked an ultrasound for me on Thursday at 1pm (35 weeks) He told me to pack my bag and bring it with me in case I need to have a cesarean. It was a query Vasa Previa on my last one and also I fit 4/6 of risk factors for it. I had a low lying placenta, I have had more than one pregnancy, I have had uterine surgery twice and scarring due to an infection from surgery. So I feel a bit nervous but more confident that they are standing up and taking notice of how serious this can be. Thanks for the support and I will let you know what happens. LOL and hugz.. Kathy.

[reAllytee]

Oh yay !
Im glad to hear someone has finally heard your pleas !
Im sure i can speak for everyone in wishing you all the best & hopefully all goes well.
Just think you could be holding bubs by the end of the week how exciting !
**hugs**

[JanetF]

I hope you get the support and information you need and deserve. That Ob should be struck off for ignoring such a lifethreatening issue!

[DIANNEKB]

Hi kathy,

how did you go ??? Have you had your baby yet??? I am really interested iny our story and was wondering if the doctor asked you for a test for this condition or was it just found???

I find it bizarre that they dont ask everyone or tell everyone about this if the risks associated with it are so bad..

Take care
Di..xxx

[JanetF]

Di it's very rare so unless you have it, there's no point telling you about it. I've actually done some more research myself and found that unless your membranes are artificially ruptured, you're generally ok. But it's worth being sure beforehand, yk? :)

[treightonsmum]

Hi girls sorry I took so long to reply but have been a little busy. I was called in two days before christmas to have another ultrasound by a specialist. All is well!!! She raked the OB over the coals in front of me because she should have been told sooner. Also the radiographer that had so called detected it was in some trouble also... Her words were something like... Where is he? Get him to my office now.. he must have been on some thing!!! My placenta was normal as normal could be and it was not low at all. The Vasa Previa was ruled out completely and she apologised to me for having been put through it all. I will be so happy when I finally have this baby and dont have to listen to any more doctors like that. So I am now going into my 37th week and am now feeling like Im over it.(as you do) Baby is well engaged for today and BH have gotten closer together and more painful the last few days. I will keep you all posted on the pregnancy general chat thread of course!! I have so enjoyed reading all the latest births and cant wait now to hold him in my arms..LOL and thanks again for the wonderful support you have given to me. Big hugz to you ((((())))). Kathy.

[JanetF]

Excellent news! Another story (and there are so many!) of testing gone wrong. Enjoy your belly and your pregnancy and take all the crap they say with a pinch of salt ;) Funny how so many Obs start telling women there are reasons to book unnecessary surgery in the last weeks of pregnancy :rolleyes:

[reAllytee]

Sounds like the stupid radiographer who did one of my ultrasounds & made out something was wrong with bubs !!!!!
As the midwife then told me later honestly never trust what you see because the u/s are so sensitive nowadays they show nothing as being something at times !
Glad to hear all is well least now bubs can make its grand entrance !!!!

[DIANNEKB]

Glad to hear all is ok Kathy ... must of been a huge scare for you ... I thought it must have been something quite uncommon as I had never heard about it before...

Glad that the stress is over and good luck with the birth hope it comes soon..

Di..xxx