Baby Place

Miriam Gerritsen · Joined: 18 Aug 2004 Posts: 1 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah

My name is Miriam and in May of 2004 I lost my first child to a condition called Vasa Previa. This condition is estimated to occur in 1/2000-5000 births. If undiagnosed, the mortality rate can be as high as 95%. You can check for this condition through an ultrasound machine by looking for the location of the placenta. If the placenta is located in the lower part of the uterus, you need to check to see if the umbilical cord runs in the birth canal and if the connection from the umbilical cord to the placenta is secure. It is currently not standard procedure to check for this, so you will probably have to ask for it. My husband and I have started a non-profit organization to raise awareness about this condition. You can visit our website at www.vpfu.org for more information. Please be checked for this because if you don't, you may lose your baby like I did.

Marianne's first · Joined: 20 Jul 2004 Posts: 268 Location: California

If you don't mind me asking, how far along were you when you lost your baby? I don't even get my ultrasound until between 18-20 weeks. I know many people get early ultrasounds and was wondering if this condition will take its course early on or later like after the 20 week ultrasound. Thanks for clarifying!! And sorry about your baby Sad

Bryce Gerritsen · Joined: 19 Aug 2004 Posts: 1

Hello, I am Miriam's husband. To answer your first question, 8-days away from full-term. One of the tragedies of Vasa Previa is the fact that typically, the baby has a perfectly "healthy" pregnancy, showing no signs of distress, then dies with the on-set of labor or the rupturing of the membranes. For more details of my wife's experience, go to www.vpfu.org and click on "Elle's Story".
Now, for your second question. Vasa Previa can usually be detected as early as 16 weeks. Like Miriam said, if you want more information, visit the web site, or email us at info@vpfu.org. Also, if you know of anyone that has experienced Vasa Previa, we would love to be in contact with them!
Bryce.

Myboyz811 · Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2005 3:22 pm Post subject:

I'm having my ultasound done tommorrow I will have them check for that thank you for the post..mandy