The Birmingham Women's Clinic
Vasa Praevia
There has been recent media interest in the antenatal diagnosis of vasa praevia. We have prepared this small synopsis of this condition for you.
Vasa praevia occurs when the fetal blood vessels run from the placenta through the membranes below the presenting fetal part.
The incidence of Vasa praevia is unknown but is thought to be between 1 in 2000 and 1 in 3,000 pregnancies.
In the presence of vasa praevia spontaneous or artificial rupture of the membrane will result in fetal blood loss, with an approximate 30% risk of mortality. This can be avoided by delivering the baby by caesarean section.
This problem may be detected antenatally using a transvaginal scan. Scans performed at 23 weeks of pregnancy will detect approximately 1 in 3 cases.
Women at increased risk of vasa praevia include
- low lying placenta or placenta praevia
- multiple pregnancies
- IVF (in-vitro fertilisation)
- history of uterine surgery or D & C
- bilobed or succenturiate placenta
- velamentous insertion of cord
The cost of the consultation and scan is £185.
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