Large subchorionic haematoma but not much bleeding?

[katerose2022]

Hi all, I had some light bleeding and cramping three days ago (8w+5) and went to the local EPU. They scanned me and the baby was fine with a strong heart beat and normal size. But there is a "large subchorionic haematoma (depth of 15mm) surrounding the gestation sac". The sonographer didn't seem too concerned, just telling me that there could be more bleeding, and if it gets heavy give them a call back. I came back home and inevitably googled a bit, and got a bit concerned about the size of my sch as it's described as large and surrounding the sac (but no specific size given). So I reduced my activities a lot and stopped going out of the house and doing cooking and housework, basically mostly sitting down or lying down (but still doing my desktop job). The bleeding has become even lighter to almost none these days. I'd like to hear some similar experience with large sch pls, if such rest can help reabsorb the thing, or it's actually still pooling up and getting bigger inside and may cause trouble later?

I have my midwife booking appointment next week but not sure if they'll offer me a scan. If not I might get a private scan just to reassure myself. But meanwhile it's all guesswork.... Thanks a lot!

@katerose2022 I had a large subchorionic haematoma which started as a bit of bleeding at 6 weeks but then a week later I lost a large amount of blood and massive clots to the point where I ended up going to hospital as it wouldn't stop. Of course when I got there I stopped bleeding. I was booked in for a scan 2 days later in case they needed to do vaginal scan as I was just over 7 weeks. At the scan I saw the large SCH on the screen but only because I had 2 staff members in the room and one of them was training on the new machine and they talked about the size of it.

I was put on complete bed rest due to the size and probably because I lost so much blood the first time round. I was told basically to bed rest, do nothing activity wise, no walking, no lifting anything, no housework, no sex and no orgasms either until my 20 week scan. I also had a toddler at the time! Dh worked from home for 2 days a week and we put Ds into nursery for 3 days a week I was a sahm but he attended 1 day anyway.

I have been on MN for a long time and it seems that a SCH is always played down by medical staff, until you research and see the risks you are completely in the dark. There are some small increased risks and I think being informed helps. It was not mentioned at the 20 week scan so I assume it was fine. I didn't have any more bleeding and I went to 39 weeks before my ELCS as I had EMCS with Ds1.

@JacksPottedPepper Thanks a lot for sharing! Sounds like it’s definitely worth being on the side of caution with large sch. Can I ask if you bleeding was continuous or on and off during the first before you lost a lot of blood pls? So that I can prepare myself for such possibilities… have asked my partner to not go to office too before I have another scan. This is my first pregnancy and via IVF, so being extra nervous… thanks again!

Mine was described as “large” I don’t know how big it was. I was told to go on full pelvic rest and minimal activity until 20 weeks.

My baby is now nine

@katerose2022 if memory serves I spotted red blood at 6 weeks plus maybe 4 days they did vaginal scan and we could see the heartbeat. At 7 plus a couple of days I did that huge bleed. After that stopped the spotting continued for maybe a few days but it was brown blood so old and not any new bleeds if that makes sense. I believe SCH is more common in IVF too and I would do exactly what you are doing, bed rest and absolutely no activity. Also congratulations on your pregnancy. I am sorry it has been worrying with the bleeding. Lots of women bleed and lots have SCH.

I have just remembered that I didn't have a 12 week scan as they dated the pregnancy off that 7 weeker. It may be different with the IVF bit but if you don't get a dating scan I would probably book a private one just to see the baby. Ds2 is now 16 years old so it was a while ago for me never forgot the experience though. We gave Ds1 his Christmas present early due to me suddenly becoming incapacitated. It was a play kitchen. Loved that thing. Also to reassure you my EMCS with Ds1 was nothing to do with a missed SCH or anything like that.

@Darthwazette @JacksPottedPepper Thanks both! I'll just continue resting as much as I can and fingers crossed hoping for the sch to shrink at my next scan.

@katerose2022 I hope it does too. Good luck with the rest of the pregnancy, just keep thinking positive thoughts.

I had one with no both my pregnancies (babies now 6 and 4)

With my eldest it bleed out slowly over the first trimester. With my second I had two big bleeds at 6 and 9 weeks.

You can move and leave the house! My second big bleed happened by the pool in Rhodes.

If you get a big bleed, lie down on your left side. You're in the system at the EPU now so you can just turn up if you bleed. No need to pay for private scans.

It's scary. With my first, he was a much wanted baby after 2.5 years of trying, I was terrified. I was much calmer with my second as that just seemed to be how I was when pregnant

Following with interest as i have had 2 SCH in past 6 months and told bed rest not necessary!
I have heard of plenty of women on here and on real life who have had SCH and bleeding and their babies have been completely fine.

I had a huge bleed from a sch at 14 weeks with my twins after picking up my toddler and wasn't told to go on best rest, everything was fine but it was scary waiting for the scan after it happened

@Twizbe thanks for the kind advice, I'll take note of that
@Whataretheodds @MissSmiley Thanks for the comments! Yes I think most of the sch resolve themselves and don't cause much trouble to pregnancies. From what I read, it's mainly large ones and possibly ones at tricky locations, if they bleed too heavily, it may flush out the baby with it... but probably more risky during earlier weeks when the baby is relatively small. But I wouldn't want to risk that anyways. So I guess the more you can avoid heavy bleeding the better.

Update in case anyone is interested or wants more info on SCH:

I had some more fresh bleeding a few hours after my last post (9w+1d). After lying down in bed for a few hours, 2-3 small gushes came out when I stood up, filling half the pad, but no more continuous bleeding.

Between then and now (10w+2d), no bleeding or spotting at all. I was mostly lying down in bed or sitting in front of computer doing my work. My partner took over all cooking and housework. Belly often feels heavy but probably just the normal thing with uterus expanding. I moved around house and walked a bit more in the last few days. This morning I passed a brown stringy thing, about 4cm, but again no bleeding or spotting with it.

I also have a private scan booked today as EPU refused to scan me again, saying even if it bleeds they know it's caused by the SCH and there's nothing they can do about it. My private scan showed a happy baby. The SCH is still there but now smaller, surrounding 2/5 of the sac (think technically it's now medium size not large) and 0.7cm deep. Sonographer still advised "no travel, don't go into work, as much as rest possible", but I think I'll probably stick to a low amount of walking and moving around.

Good luck to anyone who's concerned about SCH!

Really glad your scans have shown a healthy baby. Also realy interesting that the private sonographer suggested resting - NHS said no need/point but o can't help but wonder whether it would have made a difference.
Best wishes for the remainder of your pregnancy

Just wondering what the update here was for you all? I’ve had two big bleeds this week and assumed it was a miscarriage at 6 weeks. Had my scan this morning and there’s still a heartbeat but a bleed around it measuring 33 x 28 x 21mm.

she said she had seen bleeds that big go on to be healthy pregnancies but I just feel so much worry!

@LondonGirl1992 my baby boy arrived mid Aug by c-section at 38w+6d (due to GDM) with no problem at all. Sch large or small, bleeding or not, doesn't really pose big risk from what I've seen people's experience with it on various forums. But of course try to take things a bit easy and don't stretch yourself physically. Hope it all goes well with your pregnancy!