Bleeding during pregnancy is one of the most unwanted things to happen! Approximately 25% of women experience vaginal bleeding during pregnancy that ranges from light spotting to heavy clotted blood. Subchorionic hematoma can be hard to guess at first because of the variation of bleeding among women. However, once the diagnosis is confirmed, every step must be carefully taken to treat it.
So, how to shrink a subchorionic hematoma?
Well, shrinking a subchorionic hematoma depends upon factors among which size is the most significant factor. It usually goes away on its own whereas a careless attitude can even make it a risk to the life of the baby.
In this article, we’ll share in-depth details of subchorionic hematoma, its causes, duration, and tips to learn how to shrink a subchorionic hematoma. So, read on!
The bleeding may start as spotting to heavy bleeding. In fact, there are conditions in which women experience no bleeding at all. Hence, figuring out if it is subchorionic bleeding or not is quite tricky sometimes.
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How Do Subchorionic Hematomas Form?
More or less 8% of the pregnancies experience complications that make the nine-month duration unbearable sometimes. However, most pregnant women experience small complications that don’t harm both the mother and the baby.
Subchorionic hematoma is one of such complications that occurs naturally and goes away on its own. When you’re pregnant, your uterus undergoes a series of changes to provide the fetus with a well-protected environment for healthy development.
Your baby is covered within multiple protective layers called membranes with the layer surrounding the baby called the amnion and the one attaching your baby to the wall of the uterus called the chorion.
The collection of blood in the region below the chorionic layer caused due to hemorrhage is called a subchorionic hematoma.
The fetus is firmly attached to the wall of the uterus by means of the placenta when the placenta gets detached it results in bleeding that eventually results in a subchorionic hematoma. The exact reason for this happening isn’t clear yet; however, some factors are the malformation of the uterus, recurrent miscarriages, infections, mother’s age, preeclampsia, and so on.
Subchorionic Hematoma Size Chart
The severity of the hematoma is based on its size. In the radiographic examination of the hematoma, we compare it to the size of the gestational sac, and based on their comparison, it is divided into three different sizes.
| Size | Comparison With The Sac |
| Small | Less than 20% of the size of the sac |
| Medium | 20-50% of the size of the sac |
| Large | More than 50% of the size of the sac |
Women often ask, can subchorionic hematoma get bigger? Well, small subchorionic hematomas are quite common and can regress easily; however, massive hematomas that strip away less than half of the placenta from the uterine wall can put fetal health at risk.
A large hematoma can gradually increase in size to an extent that it presses against the gestational sac and thereby leading to spontaneous abortion. This can happen due to the rupturing of membranes due to an increase in pressure.
What Irritates a Subchorionic Hematoma?
If you have a subchorionic hematoma, it doesn’t mean it’ll end up miscarried for sure! Following all the precautions and having a caring attitude can help in maintaining a smooth pregnancy. Following are the things you must be careful about:
- Avoid strenuous workouts and heavy lifting
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle by improving your diet
- Add some fiber to your diet to prevent constipation
- Avoid sexual intercourse
- Vaginal bleeding
- Don’t stand straight for longer hours
- Increase your water intake
Pregnant females often ask if there are any foods to heal subchorionic hemorrhage? Well, it’s not that only diet can fix hematoma; however, a diet rich in vitamins and minerals can overall improve your health.
Try eating green leafy vegetables, dairy products, eggs, citrus fruits, sprouts, and seeds during pregnancy. Intake of iron-rich food items can help you overcome iron deficiency.
How Long Does Subchorionic Bleeding Last?
Nearly 70% of females with SCH experience bleeding. There isn’t any constant duration for the subchorionic bleeding; it depends upon a variety of factors such as the size, careful management, and maternal health.
However, the bleeding may start as spotting to heavy bleeding. In fact, there are conditions in which women experience no bleeding at all. Hence, figuring out if it is subchorionic bleeding or not is quite tricky sometimes. One the most prominent signs of subchorionic hematoma resolving is the reduction in bleeding.
How to Shrink a Subchorionic Hematoma?
Pregnant ladies often ask, how long does it take for a subchorionic hematoma to dissolve? Well, there isn’t any concrete value that tells when subchorionic hematoma dissolves. The healing process is mostly natural and can occur within a few weeks.
Subchorionic hematoma affects 3% of the total pregnancies and if not taken care of can lead to miscarriage. Once you get diagnosed with it, make sure to avoid physical stress and all kinds of triggers to prevent any unwanted consequences.
So, how do subchorionic hematomas heal? Well, healing depends upon the size of the hematoma and the type of treatment prescribed. Based on several pieces of research, ALA (alpha lipoic acid) plays a significant role in the absorption of the hematoma. Moreover, research suggests that ALA works more efficiently in absorbing the SCH than progesterone and also reduces the rate of abortions.
Similarly, doctors sometimes recommend dydrogesterone therapy which according to research is known to prevent the rate of abortions in women with subchorionic hematoma. Hence, dydrogesterone shows an immunomodulatory effect thereby reducing the rate of miscarriages.
A common fact that you might’ve heard is improving hydration helps SCH. So, does drinking water help subchorionic hematoma in reality or is it just a myth? Well, drinking loads of water makes your body hydrated and also reduces the cramps. Hence, the lesser the cramps, the smoother the pregnancy goes on.
Is subchorionic hematoma painful? Well, it can be because bleeding and cramping are the two main symptoms indicating SCH. However, there are cases in which women don’t experience the aforementioned symptoms and get to know it via an ultrasound.
If you’re looking for natural remedies for subchorionic hematoma, then avoiding physical stress is the key! Since there is no treatment for subchorionic hematoma, so, precautions are all you can take to prevent any damage from SCH.
Many people ask, how to make a subchorionic hematoma go away? As mentioned above, there isn’t any specific treatment for SCH. However, there are therapies for reducing the rate of abortions and for boosting the healing method. Hence, to heal the SCH, all you can do is take precautions and be patient.
Moreover, the subchorionic hematoma miscarriage rate is also less because not every SCH ends up in the pregnancy as a miscarriage. However, it increases the chances of miscarriage but with proper precautions and care, you can manage it.
FAQs
What helps a subchorionic hematoma resolve?
Typically, there isn’t any treatment to cure subchorionic hematoma, it is known to naturally go away. However, to improve the healing process and reduce the risks, your doctor can prescribe you several therapies. Once you’re diagnosed with it, try to avoid physical stress, don’t stand for longer durations, avoid sexual intercourse, and take a rest. All of the aforementioned tips can help in the healing process.
How do Subchorionic hemorrhages dissolve?
Subchorionic hemorrhages are caused due the detachment of the placenta from the wall of the uterus that leads to bleeding called subchorionic hemorrhage that eventually becomes a hematoma. In most cases, it is known to dissolve naturally. The healing process depends upon both the size of the hematoma and the maternal health of the mother.
How long does it take for a subchorionic hematoma to reabsorb?
It’s not that you get diagnosed with a subchorionic hematoma today and you get it cured tomorrow. There is no appropriate treatment to cure it, in fact, it eventually goes away. The bleeding usually occurs as light spotting to heavy clotted blood which puzzles the patient every time. It might take a few weeks to reabsorb and this duration isn’t constant and varies from patient to patient.
Can a subchorionic hematoma resolve without bleeding?
Well, this might be surprising to you but sometimes a subchorionic hematoma shows no bleeding at all which makes it the hardest to be diagnosed. Hence, it can go away naturally on its own as there is no treatment for it. However, checking up on your doctor’s advice is very important.
Final Verdict
A subchorionic hematoma is a common yet risky pregnancy complication that if not taken care of properly can end up as a miscarriage. Most women confuse its bleeding with that of miscarriage; however, radiographic results reveal a crescent-shaped blood accumulation indicating a hematoma.
So, if you’re still wondering how to shrink a subchorionic hematoma, then remember consulting your healthcare professional is a must. All of the above-mentioned therapies are prescribed by professionals only! Follow whatever therapy or diet your doctor suggests. Avoid having sexual intercourse, and intense workout sessions, reduce your physical stress and improve your diet.
You can have subchorionic hematoma and also have a safe pregnancy at the same time! So, don’t be afraid and take all the precautions!
