If these fetal vessels rupture the bleeding is from the fetoplacental circulation, and fetal exsanguination will rapidly occur, leading to fetal death. It is thought that vasa previa arises from an early placenta previa. As the pregnancy progresses, the placenta tissue surrounding the vessels over the cervix undergoes atrophy, and the placenta grows preferentially toward the upper portion of the uterus.
If these fetal vessels rupture, bleeding originates from the fetoplacental circulation, and fetal exsanguination will occur rapidly, leading to fetal death. It is believed that vasa previa arises from an early placenta previa. As the pregnancy progresses, the placental tissue surrounding the vessels over the cervix undergoes atrophy, and the placenta grows preferentially toward the upper portion of the uterus.