Bleeding at 8 weeks - possible subchronic haematoma??

[HazelnutLattePls]

Hi all

Posting because I'm worrying myself sick and am waiting for EPU to ring me back. Yesterday afternoon at work I went to pee and noticed I was bleeding bright red, not a lot but enough that it was on my underwear and was still there when I was wiping. I didn't have any pain to begin with but this started coming on maybe 10 minutes after I initially saw the blood. I called my local EPU where I was told the unit was closed for the rest of the day/night and that if bleeding or pain got much worse I was just to head straight to A&E. In the meantime someone from EPU will ring me back in the morning. My boss sent me home (I live 10 mins away from my work and just walk) so I'm about halfway home and can feel the blood pouring out of me at this point (totally scared that I was also passing tissue) I got home and straight onto the toilet, knickers and trousers absolutely soaked in blood, very light cramping but nothing bad at all. I passed a couple of tiny black clots and one slightly longer, bigger one (maybe the size of a 5p coin in total if I bunched it all into a compact ball). No more clots after that. Still bleeding roughly 17 hours later but it's now more a brown colour than red. However I have decided I'll keep using my progesterone until it's confirmed I've lost this baby so I used that last night and the bleeding then tapered a bit and turned brown. I'm waiting for a call back from EPU just now and have been obsessively googling possible causes for this bleeding. I keep seeing cervical erosion which I possibly could have due to the pessaries I'm using but also I'm not sure how much bleeding that would cause? As it felt like a lot last night and caused so much alarm and worry. Another thing I'm seeing is subchronic haematoma. When I had my 7 week scan just a week ago they never mentioned this or any other bleeding in or around the womb to me. But now I've googled what it looks like on an ultrasound I've noticed right above and below the sac slightly to the left side there's a couple of small darker patches. So I'm now wondering if it's possible those patches are bleeding or haematomas? My partner is absolutely convinced I've miscarried but I'm trying to keep an open mind - whether that's a good idea I don't know 😭

I'm so sorry you're going through this.

I had a miscarriage in June and I found the limbo awful. I was 6 weeks but there was no mistaking when I had actually miscarried, it happened naturally and there were large clots - about 50p size sometimes and a lot of bright red blood, this lasted for about a week afterwards.

I think therefore based on what you've said you've not had enough blood / clots for this but bleeding while common isn't normal and so it's definitely worth getting it checked out. I think (clearly I'm not a medical professional but based on my experience Vs What you've described) I'd disagree with your partner's assessment that you've already miscarried

I went initially to A&E but with a referral from my GP so I didn't have to wait long and was seen straight by a gynae consultant rather than going through triage. Once I was with EPU they were quick to get me back in so I think getting hold of them is the best way forward.

Both my GP and the consultant checked my cervix and while it was closed they were much less concerned, once they could see it had opened we knew it was inevitable.

The limbo I found the worst part - I am thinking of you as it's such a difficult time, I would prepare for the worst but hope for the best as I don't think it's over yet but definitely worth finding out what's going on xx

Hi Harriet

Thank you for your reply. It's an awful thing to go through and it's sad that it happens to so many people, I'm sorry you've experienced it too. I had a miscarriage in late April, we had a scan in early March at 7 weeks and were told the sac was empty. It was about 5 weeks later before I actually miscarried and like you I also had very heavy bleeding with big clots and I also had severe pain throughout most of the process. This time I'm not in any pain bar some minor cramping last night and the clots that I did pass were tiny and not in anyway similar to my miscarriage.

I've had the same pad on since about 5pm last night and haven't filled it at all. There's barely any blood on it, no more than there would be during a period. I'm wiping every so often and it's now settled down to a brown colour that only appears when I wipe. So I'm trying to keep my mind open that it might not be the end. I've had a call from the specialist at EPU since making this post and have been told by her that unfortunately they can't see me today as they're really busy, but again I was advised that if the bleeding ramps up and I start filling pads and/or I'm in any pain I've to go straight to A&E. I've to ring them again on Monday morning and if I'm still bleeding at all at that point they will get me in for a scan. She has told me outright that she isn't too worried right now given the bleeding has settled and I've not passed big clots or pieces of tissue or having pain. She's mentioned haematoma and thinks it could well be that but we won't know anything for sure until I'm scanned. I imagine they will check my cervix on Monday too if I do have to go in.

I agree with you that the limbo is definitely the worst part of it all, I'm contemplating booking a private scan just because I'd honestly rather pay money and know for sure what's going on ASAP than wait a few more days to Monday and find out then. The not knowing is genuinely hellish. I hope things are well with you xx

I had several heavy bleeds caused by a subchorionic haematoma that got bigger and bigger - at 17 weeks it was huge but then shrunk again by my 20 week scan. I had a LOT of blood on numerous occasions between 10 and 17 weeks. In between, I had light bleeding most of the time, which didn’t completely disappear until 22ish weeks. I had some cramping with the big bleeds, which frightened me, but cervix was always shut when they checked, and I never really had any clots. So fingers crossed it is SCH for you too. I know it’s not always recommended but the doctor I saw when my SCH was at its biggest (so 14-17weeks ish) said that I should do as little physical activity as possible. Limited walking, work from home, not too many stairs etc. I put myself on near enough bed rest as the bleeding got worse whenever I walked for more than a few minutes. The SCH was directly over my cervix and they were worried it would irritate it and cause cervix to open/waters to break.

I had also had a previous loss and this period of pregnancy was incredibly stressful so I really feel for you. My first bleed was right before Christmas last year - I was lucky that I was slotted into the last EPU scans before bank holidays etc - but I had also been phoning around private scan places before I knew they’d see me.