Pregnancy Subchorionic Hemorrhage

I had an ultrasound at 8 weeks of pregnancy which showed a small subchorionic hemorrhage.  You can read all about what  subchorionic bleeding is here.  Basically, a pocket of blood forms where the placenta should be and keeps the placenta from attaching to the uterine wall like it should.  Generally, an OB would put a patient on bedrest with this type of condition.  However, my bleed was small (it showed up on the ultrasound but never actually bled out of me) and my midwife took a much more relaxed approach.  The following was her advice:

1. No lifting anything heavier than a gallon of milk.

2. No sex.  Basically anything that enters the vagina can irritate and make this type of bleed worse.

3. Call a doctor or midwife if there is excessive cramping or bleeding.

Luckily, I didn’t have any bleeding, but I did have quite a bit of cramping.  I’m still unclear about what cramping is “safe” or due to muscles stretching and what cramping is “dangerous”.  I have a hunch my cramping was from pregnancy related digestive issues, but it’s still scarey to have any cramps at all during a pregnancy.  I plan to ask my midwife about good and bad cramps at my next visit.  Stay tuned as I will post a video about our conversation on that issue.

Now, I am almost 15 weeks and am feeling much better. A subchorionic hemorrhage will generally heal itself or dissipate by the end of the first trimester. I have been cleared to resume life as normal at this point. I am looking forward to getting my second and last ultrasound at 20 weeks to make sure everything is ok. Have you had a subchorionic hemorrhage? Please share with us if you have!

Next step on the pregnancy radar… get maternity pants out of storage!  I have been wearing the same pair of jeans for 3 months every single day because they are the only ones that fit.  I told my husband I’m going to burn them as I don’t think I will ever want to wear them again after this!