Today I went in for my weekly sonograms and I left there pretty upset. From the very beginning of this pregnancy it seems I always have some bit of news to worry me. My first trimester blood screening test came back with a red flag for possible down syndrome. I had about 8 weeks of worrying about that before we would have more information. Then I took my second trimester blood screening test, it came back negative for downs but there was a red flag for possible open neural tubal defect. At 20 weeks I had to see a sonogram specialist, they examined him and everything looked fine. However, they found the low lying placenta and the Velamentous cord insertion. Since then the placenta has moved up and for the last couple weeks we have been closely watching the cord.
Last week my doctor told me about the blood flow and how we had to watch it closely each week to make sure it didn't slow down, reverse or stop. This week I did not see my doctor, just the sono tech and she really scared me. I have known about this Velamentous cord insertion but what I didn't realize is how scary it can be. It is basically where the umbilical cord is inserted into the membrane of the amniotic sac and vessels travel through the sack to the placenta in order to receive nutrients, instead of directly being inserted into the placenta. It is very dangerous at delivery because as the sac breaks, the vessels can easily tear.
The sono tech had never seen this type of insertion before and said it occurs in about 1% of pregnancies. I knew I was closely being watched because of a red flag in open neural tube defect also increases the likely hood of still birth. What I didn't realize is how dangerous it can be for the mom. Since the vessels are not protected, there is a possibility they could rupture, which also would result in still birth and means hemorrhaging for the mom. It would be like an aneurysm, is what she told me.
Of course I left there in tears, how could you not? I came home and did what I probably shouldn't have done, starting searching Velamentous cord insertion on the internet. I have known about this since about 20 weeks, so for 11 weeks, but just never realized how serious it could be.
I called my doctor once I got home to talk to her more about it, but she is in surgery today. I am sure once I do it will help ease my nerves. Here is another site I found with a picture showing the cord insertion: http://www.vasaprevia.org/vasaprevia/velamentous.htm
I asked her if she would recommend me delivering early, but since white boys have the hardest time in the NICU, they want him to stay in as long as possible. I will however induce at 38 weeks, 2 days as of now.
All we can do now is continue to pray that everything goes okay for the next 7 weeks and hope that it goes by really fast!
"God knows right where you are, and He knows how to get you where you need to be. Even when things don’t go the way you planned, His hand is on you. Do not be afraid. He will fulfill your dreams and lead you into the life of blessing that He has prepared for you"
Last week my doctor told me about the blood flow and how we had to watch it closely each week to make sure it didn't slow down, reverse or stop. This week I did not see my doctor, just the sono tech and she really scared me. I have known about this Velamentous cord insertion but what I didn't realize is how scary it can be. It is basically where the umbilical cord is inserted into the membrane of the amniotic sac and vessels travel through the sack to the placenta in order to receive nutrients, instead of directly being inserted into the placenta. It is very dangerous at delivery because as the sac breaks, the vessels can easily tear.
The sono tech had never seen this type of insertion before and said it occurs in about 1% of pregnancies. I knew I was closely being watched because of a red flag in open neural tube defect also increases the likely hood of still birth. What I didn't realize is how dangerous it can be for the mom. Since the vessels are not protected, there is a possibility they could rupture, which also would result in still birth and means hemorrhaging for the mom. It would be like an aneurysm, is what she told me.
Of course I left there in tears, how could you not? I came home and did what I probably shouldn't have done, starting searching Velamentous cord insertion on the internet. I have known about this since about 20 weeks, so for 11 weeks, but just never realized how serious it could be.
I called my doctor once I got home to talk to her more about it, but she is in surgery today. I am sure once I do it will help ease my nerves. Here is another site I found with a picture showing the cord insertion: http://www.vasaprevia.org/vasaprevia/velamentous.htm
I asked her if she would recommend me delivering early, but since white boys have the hardest time in the NICU, they want him to stay in as long as possible. I will however induce at 38 weeks, 2 days as of now.
All we can do now is continue to pray that everything goes okay for the next 7 weeks and hope that it goes by really fast!
"God knows right where you are, and He knows how to get you where you need to be. Even when things don’t go the way you planned, His hand is on you. Do not be afraid. He will fulfill your dreams and lead you into the life of blessing that He has prepared for you"
