Measuring behind + hematoma

[hmcjan]

I’m normally a fairly relaxed person, but pregnancy makes me incredibly anxious! I’ve had some news about my current pregnancy and am wondering if anyone has been in this situation before and can shed some light?

As a bit of background, I have DS who will be 2 next month, and previously had a missed miscarriage earlier this year. With my MMC, the baby had a heartbeat but measured 5+4 when I knew for certain I was 7+0, so I knew it was unlikely to be a good outcome. Sure enough, when we went for a second scan at 9 weeks, the heartbeat could no longer be found and baby was still measuring under 6 weeks. I waited another 2 weeks for my body to catch up naturally, but it never did so at 11 weeks I took medical intervention and had the miscarriage. We waited until I had a period and then conceived again the very next cycle.

Everything with this pregnancy felt “normal” until 6+3 when I suddenly started gushing blood. I thought all was lost, but it stopped almost as soon as it started (within an hour). We rushed to hospital and they checked me internally and my womb was still closed. The next day, they did a scan and baby was there with a “strong” heartbeat, measuring 6+0. They also found a “very large” hematoma (like 2 inches) measuring bigger than the gestational sac, which they think is causing the bleeding. I was booked in for another scan in 10 days time and told to expect more bleeding. This was a week ago and I’ve not had a drop of bleeding since the first gush.

Maybe I’m hyper-focused on this because of my MMC but is it normal for the baby to measure 4 days behind? The EPU midwife wasn’t concerned about this at all and she said +/- 5 days is totally normal, but I’m sure about my ovulation dates (could only be a day off max) and I also tested positive at 9 dpo so there’s not much wiggle room there anyway. The midwife was much more focused on the hematoma, and said we need to monitor the size to make sure it doesn’t get bigger and threaten the pregnancy. Has anyone had any experience with a hematoma and/or measuring a few days behind? What was the outcome? Give it to me straight, I’m terrified of having a second MMC but want to mentally prepare myself for my next scan.

Hi,

I measured 5 days behind when I had a scan at what I thought was 7+3. Was also told I had a hematoma. I never had any bleeding but was told at the time I would either bleed or my body would likely re absorb it.
when I went for my 12 week scan the hematoma was gone and my dates matched up to what I thought again. Everything was fine as well at the 20 week.

At the time they told me hematomas are very common and most people have them but would only know if they had an early scan. :)

I remember with my two successful ones that my babies measured a few days less than I anticipated.
With this current one I ovulated a week late, only dtd the once and knew my ovulation date, measured on time at 9 weeks (for my ov date) (previous 6 week scan wasn't measured but looked to be the right age with fetal pole and hb) by my 12 week scan (at 13+2weeks based on lmp) was measuring 13+2 somehow.
They grow at varying rates in the early days, much more consistent in the latter days as they are bigger and can measure easier as opposed to trying to measure the difference in mm's. A few days sounds normal however.

I absolutely understand the worry though.
With the bleeding, I had a huge bleed with dc2 for 10 days straight. Spotting with dc1 and current until second trimester.
I've also had bleeding and it resulted in mc due to the placement of the sch.
This time around I took alpha limpoic acid to help reduce the amount I bleed and in hope that it absorbed any sch faster. I think it's helped but who knows really.

But all that said, I totally understand the worry, honestly nobody will be able to know the outcome until all is said and done, just try to go easy on yourself and your body (hard with a 2yo I know) wishing you all the best

I’ve also measured 5 days behind (thought I was 6 weeks 5 days) and have a SCH. Have similar concerns.

@AS93 thanks so much for responding, that sounds like a similar situation to mine and I’m so happy to hear things are going well for you!

@LaTable thank you for sharing your pregnancy stories, it makes me feel better to know you’ve also measured behind in the past and things have turned out okay! I’m so sorry to hear that you’ve also had a miscarriage, they’re so unfair. If you don’t mind me asking, what was it about the SCH placement that caused yours? The midwife I saw said mine is risky because of the size, but she didn’t say anything about placement.

@Mc36 we can keep each other posted! Have you had any bleeding from the SCH? Do you have another scan scheduled?

Crossing my fingers for healthy babies for us all!

@hmcjan mine was where the placenta was, so stopped anything from progressing.
But if midwife has no worries on placement I'm sure you and babe will be just fine 🙂

I’ve had a haematoma on all three pregnancies. First one they said if it was to come away in one go it would take the pregnancy with it- luckily, it drained very slowly for about 13 weeks until it was gone. My most recent pregnancy (17 weeks currently) i yet again went for an early scan- small SCH and measured 4 days behind. When i went for my 12 week scan i measured a week(!!!) ahead! So managed to not only catch up but gain a week.
i know its so daunting knowing that there is that sack of blood, and constantly checking every single time you go to the toilet- i remember with my first genuinely making myself so sore from wiping just to see how things for getting along. Be easy on yourself and if you can afford it, book a few private scans.

@LaTable ah ok, I suppose in my case right now I’m only 7+5 today so no placenta to speak of yet!

@washingfiasco what a stressful first pregnancy for you! I can’t imagine what that 13 weeks was like, just hoping it didn’t all drain in one go. I’m so happy it worked out for you, and am also super comforted by your most recent pregnancy when you measured 4 days behind and then you were ahead at 12 weeks. I’m hoping for something like this for me this time, I think I’m just struggling to trust my body after the MMC. It’s so easy to read into every little thing and think the worst! I’ve got another scan with the EPU on Friday (when I should be 8+1) to check on things so crossing all my fingers and toes all is well by then.

@hmcjan absolutely, it was just basically 17 weeks of panicking straight. I remember them saying to me that something stupid like a MM of off measuring can put you behind/forward so early in the scans which is why they don’t tend to do early scans unless of bleeding etc.
i can’t imagine how you must be feeling, it is absolutely draining to try and trust your own body even though you have no clue of whats going on inside there. I’ve got my fingers crossed for you aswell! Please let us know how all
goes

@hmcjan I’ve had brown and light pink spotting on and off for a couple of weeks. I’m going to book another private scan for Sunday or Tuesday.

@washingfiasco yeah she measured the baby super quickly and then moved on to hematoma chat, and I kept trying to hint to her to please measure the baby again but she didn’t. She said the baby looked fine and focused on the hematoma, so I’m trying so hard to do the same!

@hmcjan ugh I’m sorry you’re going through this too, I’ve not had any spotting or anything at all since the initial gush (sorry for the gross word, just can’t think of anything better to describe it!). It’s been fine ever since but it was SO MUCH when it happened, I obviously panicked. Will EPU/EPAS not see you if you’re having bleeding?

@hmcjan we don’t have an EPU here so have to rely on private scans until booking appt. I’ve heard this gush word used a lot in relation to SCH! Fearing the gush haha.

@Mc36 oops accidentally tagged myself on my last post, sorry!! oh that’s a shame no EPU, I’ve had private scans in both my previous pregnancies (with my DS and my MMC) and I do think they’re good to keep your mental health in check in these early weeks! How far along are you? Fingers crossed you never get the gush, although I can’t imagine spotting on and off is any easier.

I’m 7 weeks 6 today according to LMP but obviously not what’s showing on ultrasound. You?

@Mc36 I’m 8+1 today according to LMP but I’m more like 7+6/8+0 according to when I think I actually ovulated (I did OPKs, temping and I can actually physically feel it). I have my scan tomorrow, so I’m feeling really anxious. Trying to stay positive!

Hope your scan goes well :)

@Mc36 thank you! It did and it didn’t. Baby is looking good and measuring right on track now at 8+1 … but the hematoma is still there and still large, so another scan in 2 weeks.

Glad baby is measuring on track, that’s so reassuring. Good they are monitoring the hematoma. Hopefully it will gradually go!

@Mc36 the midwives said most of them heal and reabsorb back into your womb as the baby grows, but there’s just no way to know. Mine sort of surrounds the sac (not fully, but wraps around a full side of it) so that’s why it’s more risky, and now we just have to wait and see. They also were fairly encouraging when they said lots of women have hematomas in early pregnancy and never even know, because they’ve healed by the 12 week scan. I’m just crossing my fingers and toes the baby keeps growing and the hematoma is smaller at the 10 week scan!

Have you decided whether you’ll go for a private scan?

Aw thanks for sharing that, that’s reassuring. Yes, I’ll probably go Tuesday I think.

@Mc36 good luck! I’m hoping for the best for you 🤍