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At Carnegie Hill Imaging For Women in New York, our dedicated team of expert physicians places a special spotlight on the vital and often overlooked condition of Vasa Previa. During the Healthful Woman podcast, host Dr. Nathan Fox discusses Vasa Previa with Dr. Andrei Rebarber, a Maternal Fetal Specialist, founding physician, and President of Maternal Fetal Medicine Associates and Carnegie Imaging for Women.

Understanding Vasa Previa

Vasa Previa is a rare but severe pregnancy complication where fetal blood vessels cross the entrance to the birth canal beneath the baby.. Until recently, this condition was associated with an exceedingly high perinatal mortality rate attributable to fetal exsanguination when the membranes ruptured. However, ultrasonography has made it possible to diagnose the condition prenatally, allowing cesarean delivery before labor or rupture of the membranes

Vasa Previa and the Importance of Diagnosis

Dr. Fox stated in the recent Healthful Woman podcast episode, ” If you don’t look, you won’t diagnose it. And if you look, like you said, and you know what you’re doing, you’re going to diagnose it.” This optimism illustrates the importance of keeping regular appointments for prenatal ultrasound screening, as they offer the best chance of early diagnosis and successful pregnancy outcomes.

In line with this, we at Carnegie Hill Imaging maintain a cutting-edge suite of ultrasound services to ensure accurate diagnosis and thoughtful guidance during each phase of pregnancy.

What Differentiates Carnegie Hill’s Approach?

Carnegie Hill Imaging’s commitment to patient safety and well-being sets it apart. Since its founding in 2005, Physicians at Carnegie Imaging for Women have been at the forefront of searching , identifying and treating vasa previa. Screening for vasa previa using transvaginal sonography with color flow mapping was performed routinely prior to any National and/or Society Guidelines on this topic , which were finally adopted several years after our publication in 2014. (Rebarber et al, J Ultrasound Med 2014 Jan;33(1):141-7.) In our protocol following certain clinical situations we advised screening for vasa previa. These circumatances include: resolved placenta previa, prior pregnancy with vasa previa, velamentous insertion of the cord in the lower uterine segment, placenta succenturiata in the lower uterine segment, and twin gestations. Understanding the risks of Vasa Previa places a unique emphasis on considering all potential abnormalities throughout pregnancy—a philosophy wholeheartedly endorsed by Dr. Rebarber. That’s why we always stay vigilant, even for conditions with a low likelihood of occurrence.

Impacts of Vasa Previa Diagnosis on Pregnancy Management

In most cases, early diagnosis of Vasa Previa results in the need for a planned cesarean delivery at around 35 weeks gestation, thereby avoiding the risk of rupture of the vasa previa vessels during labor. If the fetal vessel ruptures this could result in catastrophic events for the baby.  The Maternal-Fetal Medicine Society provides valuable guidelines on this. It highlights why we continually emphasize the importance of regular prenatal care and appropriate use of targeted high resolution ultrasound in pregnancy for all expectant mothers in New York and beyond.

Vasa Previa Treatment

Vasa previa may be a rare condition, but its potential impact is profound. It’s proactive and preventative healthcare that makes the difference. Spot diagnosis, precise treatment, and careful management are all essential aspects of your care. As Dr. Rebarber highlighted, diagnosing Vasa Previa is very much achievable. It requires the correct set of tools and an attentive medical partner, which we provide at Carnegie Hill Imaging for Women.

Contact Us

Feel free to contact Carnegie Hill Imaging for Women by filling out our online contact form for further information on Vasa Previa and how our New York facility can guide you through your pregnancy journey. You can also explore more about women’s health by listening to the Healthful Woman Podcast.

Carnegie Imaging for Women blogs are intended for educational purposes only and do not replace certified professional care. Medical conditions vary and change frequently. Please ask your doctor any questions you may have regarding your condition to receive a proper diagnosis or risk analysis. Thank you!