2026 Perinatal Grand Rounds Webinar Series

The Hidden Cord: Understanding and Managing Vasa Previa

Vasa previa is a rare but serious pregnancy complication in which the fetal blood vessels run through the fetal membranes and lie across the cervix. During labor, the blood vessels can be compressed decreasing blood flow and oxygenation to the fetus. When rupture of membranes occurs, the fetal blood vessels can tear, resulting in severe fetal blood loss and death. This presentation will review strategies for early detection and management.

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Patrick Jones - Course author
Meet the instructor

Patricia Heywood, MD

Dr. Patricia Heywood is a Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialist with Fox Valley Perinatology. She earned her MD from Loyola University of Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. She completed a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Milwaukee Clinical Campus of the University of Wisconsin (at Aurora Sinai Medical Center) and a Fellowship in Maternal Fetal Medicine at Loyola University Medical Center.


The speaker has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.*

Learning Outcomes

At the conclusion of this activity, participants will be able to:
  • Describe the incidence and risk factors for vasa previa.
  • Explain how to detect the presence of vasa previa.
  • Describe strategies for managing vasa previa.


Accreditation Statement

Continuing Medical Education

The Wisconsin Association for Perinatal Care (WAPC) is accredited by the Wisconsin Medical Society to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The Wisconsin Association for Perinatal Care (WAPC) designates this internet enduring material for a maximum of 0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. 

Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Planning Committee

No one in control of content has any relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.*
*Ineligible companies are those whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, reselling, or distributing health care products used by or on patients.

Course Information

This webinar was recorded on 16 July 2026.

The expiration date for this course is 16 July 2026.