I'll try to be as chronological and sensical as possible.
At our 19 week ultrasound it showed placenta previa. Meaning that, the placenta had grown over the cervix. Not ideal - how will the baby get out? It has the potential to move away from the cervix as the growing uterus expands and stretches. It comes at an increased risk of bleeding because the placenta is highly vascular.
Two weeks ago, on Tuesday February 4, I went to hospital for assessment because of some light spotting (bleeding). It stopped on it's own and was very light. They assessed me and sent me home within a few hours. Stating that if I had two more episodes of bleeding that I would need to be admitted.
This past Tuesday, February 25, I had a more significant bleed. When I went to hospital for assessment they decided to admit me. NOT what I was expecting. I spent the last two nights in hospital for assessment and observation. During my time there they have discovered that the placenta previa has developed into a vasa previa.
What does THAT mean?
The part of the placenta overlying the cervix likely did not have good blood supply (the cervix is not as vascular as the rest of the uterus). So this part of the placenta shrivelled up and disappeared. However some of the blood vessels (the veins and arteries) that were in this small part of the placenta, remain. The protective tissue of the placenta is gone and these blood vessels are exposed. They are currently situated between baby's head and the cervix. Vasa - meaning blood vessels, Previa - meaning in proximity to the cervix.
What now?
If I bleed again I need to get to hospital ASAP. The exposed vessels are fetal, and if ruptured the baby could lose it's entire volume of blood very quickly. They need to determine quickly if the blood is fetal or maternal. If it is fetal, it means an emergency c-section to resuscitate baby. If it is maternal they will decide on interventions depending on whether it is slowing or increasing and how much has already been lost. Interventions such as IV fluids, blood transfusions or a c-section.
In any case, if I bleed again I will be in hospital until baby is born.
I am home now with weekly home care visits and a life line panic button. Press the button and EMS is dispatched to our home and we go directly to the hospital (no pit stops at Dairy Queen, even if this preggo begs).
The likelihood of a vaginal birth at this point is very very remote and likely too risky.
Best case scenario is a hospital admission at 32 weeks and a scheduled c-section at 35 weeks.
Why 32 weeks? As baby gets bigger there is an increased risk of these blood vessels being disturbed. And if something happens in hospital, baby's chances of survival are greater.
Why a section at 35 weeks? A scheduled section at 35 weeks helps eliminate the chances of going into labour which could be dangerous.
