25 week pregnancy bleed and returning to exercise

[Mumtomandm]

Anyone with experience or potentially medical expertise…

I was admitted to hospital for a couple of nights (at just over 25 weeks pregnant) because I had fresh blood in the toilet and bright red blood when I wiped a few times. They checked everything and monitored over the next couple of days- cervix was long and closed, placenta high, baby fine and growing nicely, my obs and bloods fine. They did an internal examination when I first arrive and saw there was bleeding in the vagina (it was on the tool too when they pulled it out) but no obvious source/cause.

The bleeding stopped pretty quickly but I continued to have pink discharge at points the next day, ending with a very mucusy looking discharge and clear red streaks of blood so kept me in another 24 hours but that was the last of it.

I had had very slight pink tinged discharge about 1x week in the three weeks building up to this hospital admission.

They essentially couldn’t say what it was so sent me on my way and just said to come straight back if any blood at all.

A long-winded way of saying… do you think I can return to working out? It’s kind of my mental health vice that I need to feel okay and my MH hasn’t been great with life being so chaotic. The midwife at the hospital just said ‘ease back in’ or at least not for a couple of days.. but it felt vague. I like to do weights for example but not sure when I can!? I have a static bike I could start with.

Thanks in advance if anyone does have any advice!

Hope you’re feeling okay now. Unfortunately a lot of pregnancy advice even from professionals is vague. I personally would take it abit easier and take pelvic rest for a few weeks. I understand what you’re saying about your mental health but maybe some lighter exercise options-walking and swimming for the time being.

this is generalised info on pelvic rest

Pelvic rest during pregnancy means avoiding putting anything into the vagina and limiting activities that put pressure on the pelvic area. 1, 2]
What Pelvic Rest Means

• No vaginal insertion: No sexual intercourse, tampons, or douching.
• Sexual activity limits: Doctors often advise against orgasms or external sexual stimulation because contractions can affect the cervix.
• Activity limits: You may need to avoid heavy lifting, deep squatting, or strenuous lower-body exercise.
• Not bed rest: You can still walk, work, and do light daily tasks unless your doctor also ordered bed rest. You can learn more about activity guidelines from What to Expect.

Personally, I would avoid heavy lifting and anything high impact.

Walking is a good option and can be great for mental health.

I’d avoid anything other than walking. You only have a few weeks to wait. It’s nothing in the scheme of things.

Thanks for the responses!

I know it sounds ridiculous in the grand scheme of things but this is my third pregnancy and I know exercise is truly my best friend to get me through- I seem to suffer with prenatal/postnatal anxiety/OCD.

So it’s just concerning to have to stop that altogether- strength in particular makes me feel strong and in control when things feel out of control! I’ll take it easy with intensity/weights and stick with walking for a while and then go from there. Thank you x

Is go on pelvic rest. Don't have any sexual activity at all. Exercise wise, I was put on bed rest but they dont advise that anymore. I'd do gentle exercise like walking, stationary cycling, prenatal yoga. Just take it easy for a few weeks.

I also like to weight train but in this pregnancy (also third one) it's just not working for me.

I've had to begrudgingly scale it back to walking with a weighted vest - this is actually such good exercise and I will probably keep it up after, swimming, and Pilates/yoga.

Hi OP,

It sounds like you could have had a subchorionic hematoma, which is not always easy to spot on an ultrasound, so they may have missed it on your scan. When this happened to me at around 16 weeks, I was told to rest for at least 2 weeks and then have a follow-up scan to check it had resolved. I was told that sometimes, if a haematoma grows, it can cause the placenta to start detaching. Mine resolved by itself, fortunately.
I live abroad so care is different here, but I think they are generally more cautious than the NHS and more prone to prescribe rest.
I have been extra careful since then and I have avoided lifting or strenuous exercise. I have been walking and swimming and doing light household chores, and that feels like enough for me - but this is my fourth pregnancy and I am over 40, so that could be why I need to take it easy.
I also have a history of preterm birth so I wanted to avoid anything that could bring on early labour. A colleague of mine had a baby at 28 weeks and was in hospital for months, so I wanted to avoid this as much as possible.
In your shoes I would listen to your body and take it easy, it really is best to avoid lifting at this stage. Once you are a bit further along in your pregnancy, you could try some gentle exercise and see how it goes. I would wait until you are at least 28 weeks because the outcomes for babies born at this gestation improve massively.

Thank you for taking time to respond so thoroughly!

It’s good to hear what it possibly could be after no real answers- quite humbling and the reality check I probably needed.

Will definitely take it easy and try and keep that perspective. Need to think about what’s best for baby. Thanks all- really appreciate it ❤️