When should I refer a patient with suspected vasa praevia to a specialist obstetric team?

Refer a patient with suspected vasa praevia to a specialist obstetric team as soon as the diagnosis is suspected or confirmed by ultrasound. This referral should be to a specialist obstetrician or a tertiary level fetal medicine centre with expertise in managing high-risk pregnancies, including vasa praevia, to ensure appropriate monitoring and planning of delivery to reduce risks to the fetus.

Although the provided guidelines do not explicitly mention vasa praevia referral timing, the principle of early referral for complex placental or fetal conditions (such as placenta accreta spectrum or complicated multiple pregnancies) applies similarly to vasa praevia due to its high risk of fetal hemorrhage and perinatal mortality.

Therefore, immediate referral upon suspicion or diagnosis is recommended to enable specialist assessment, monitoring, and delivery planning.