When you become a pregnant mother, the fear and anxiety you feel when you see even a little bleeding is indescribable. The first question that comes to mind is, 'What happened to my baby?'. Most of the time, we think it's a sign of a miscarriage. But during pregnancy, especially in the early months, bleeding is not the only cause of miscarriage. Today, we are going to talk about a condition that is common, but not exactly known to many. That is Subchorionic Hematoma.
What is Subchorionic Hematoma?
Simply put, this is a small amount of blood that collects between the wall of your uterus and the outermost membrane (chorionic membrane) surrounding the amniotic sac where the baby is. Imagine, when we get hurt somewhere on our body, we turn blue and a blood clot forms under the skin, right? That's what this is like. A small amount of bleeding occurs where that membrane is slightly away from the uterine wall, and that blood collects there. This is also called Subchorionic Hemorrhage.
This is the main cause of vaginal bleeding during the first 10 to 20 weeks of pregnancy. Most of the time, these blood clots (hematomas) are very small. They do not cause any harm and will be absorbed by the body over time and heal. So don't be alarmed when you hear this name.
What could be the symptoms?
The main symptom of this condition is vaginal bleeding, but it is not the same for everyone.
| Symptom | Description |
|---|---|
| Vaginal Bleeding | This can range from light spotting to heavy bleeding with blood clots. Sometimes it can even be brown. |
| Pelvic Cramping | Some people may experience a slight pain in the lower abdomen as the bleeding progresses, but most people do not feel any pain at all. |
| No symptoms | Many people do not show any symptoms. It is discovered incidentally during a routine ultrasound scan. |
The most important thing is that if you experience any bleeding during pregnancy, whether it's a little or a lot, you should definitely inform your doctor about it without worrying. He or she can then find out the cause and do what's necessary.
Why does this happen? Who is at increased risk?
As we discussed earlier, this blood collection occurs when the outer membrane of the sac (chorion membrane) in which the baby is born separates from the uterine wall. The exact reason why this separation occurs has not been discovered. However, it has been found that certain factors may slightly increase this risk.
| Risk Factor |
|---|
| Having abnormalities in the shape of the uterus. |
| Having previously experienced uterine infections. |
| There has been some accident or injury to the uterus. |
| Having had previous miscarriages. |
| Getting pregnant through IVF technology (IVF pregnancy). |
| Having high blood pressure. |
Can this cause complications?
This is a question that can be a bit scary to hear. Yes, sometimes, especially if the hematoma is large, there is a very small risk of complications. For example, conditions like preterm delivery and placental abruption.
But don't be alarmed by this. I repeat, more than 90% of subchorionic hematomas heal spontaneously without any problems. Complications are very rare. Your doctor will explain to you whether there is a risk or not after a scan, based on the size of the blood clot, its location, and your pregnancy stage.
How is it treated?
Most of the time, this does not require any special treatment. Just like a bruise on our skin heals on its own, this too will be absorbed by the body and disappear. However, depending on your condition, your doctor may recommend certain things.
- Avoid strenuous activities: You may be asked to stop doing things like lifting weights and exercising for a while.
- Complete bed rest: Sometimes, if the bleeding is excessive, you may be asked to rest in bed for a few days.
- Avoid sexual intercourse: It is advised to avoid sexual intercourse until the condition improves.
- Repeat scan: You will be asked to do another scan in a few weeks to see if the blood clot is getting smaller or bigger.
- A special vaccine for RhD negative mothers: If your blood type is RhD negative, your doctor may give you a special vaccine called `Anti-D immune globulin (Rh0(D))`. This will prevent complications that may occur in the baby in the future.
Will this harm my baby?
This is the biggest question on every mother's mind. The answer is that in most cases, a Subchorionic Hematoma will not harm your baby. If the blood clot is small, the pregnancy will proceed without any problems. Only if the blood clot is a little larger will the doctor monitor you and the baby a little more closely. The important thing is that many mothers with this condition give birth to healthy babies.
Other causes of bleeding during pregnancy
Subchorionic Hematoma is just one cause. There can be other causes of bleeding during pregnancy.
- Miscarriage
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Implantation bleeding is a slight bleeding that occurs when the embryo implants in the uterus.
- Slight bleeding after sex
- A vaginal or cervical infection
- Placental problems (such as placenta previa or placental abruption)
Whatever the reason, the best thing to do if you see bleeding is to notify your doctor immediately .
Take-Home Message
- Don't be afraid of miscarriage when you see bleeding during pregnancy. Subchorionic hematoma is a common and often harmless cause.
- Most subchorionic hematomas are small blood clots and will heal on their own over time without any treatment.
- Whether the bleeding is a little or a lot, or if there is pain or not, definitely talk to your doctor. Don't self-diagnose.
- If the doctor advises you to rest and avoid strenuous activity, follow them exactly. It's for the safety of both you and your baby.
- It's normal to feel anxious and scared when you learn something like this. Talk openly with your doctor about your feelings and fears. He or she will give you the comfort and information you need.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න