Vasa previa can be diagnosed through a transvaginal ultrasound with color Doppler (10). If it is not diagnosed early, it should be suspected if the mother bleeds when her water breaks, or if the baby’s heart rate is abnormal.
Once a mother has a vasa previa diagnosis, she should be carefully monitored. Because vasa previa increases the risk of preterm delivery, she should also be given a steroid called betamethasone, which will help the baby’s tissues mature. Between 30-32 weeks of gestation, she should be admitted to the hospital for more frequent testing. Usually, C-section is scheduled for about 35 weeks gestation. Blood for transfusion should be available at birth for both mom and baby.