We lost a baby because of vasa previa.

     I was 41 weeks and had been diagnosed at 16 weeks with placenta previa. At thirty weeks the placenta had cleared the cervix and I was awaiting the start of labor. I woke up in the middle of the night thinking that my water had broken. When I turned on the light I saw that it was not amniotic fluid but blood.

     It was at least 15 minutes by the time we got to the hospital, and then they had to do an ultrasound to ensure that it was not my blood. I was no longer bleeding by the time that I got to the hospital. They did an emergency C-section when they realized that it was the baby's blood and that the heartbeat was dropping. Jesse was born still. They tried to get blood into him but his veins had all collapsed and they could not get the IV in. We were heartbroken and not a day goes by that I don't think of him.  We have a healthy 3 year old now and are awaiting the birth of another any day. Again I have placenta previa and will be having a C-section on the 18th of August. I am very scared that there might be vasa previa again even though I have had the vaginal ultrasound and it showed clear of anything. However I have had several bleeds with this pregnancy but of course it was all my blood so it was ok. I am not sure why I am looking at all this stuff on the net because it scares me. I guess I just need to talk to others who understand what I have been through. Again my deepest sympathies for you loss. I hope that you find some peace.

~ Laura