Many women experience some degree of spotting or bleeding during pregnancy, startling and alarming. But it isn’t always an indication of an impending miscarriage. However, sometimes it might signify another common type of blood pooling called Subchorionic hematoma.
But, can you differentiate between Subchorionic hematoma bleeding vs miscarriage?
A Subchorionic hematoma is a condition when blood gets out and pools between the uterine wall and chorion around the embryo. However, it is common in almost 3.1% of all pregnancies and is the primary cause of vaginal bleeding in the first trimester. On the contrary, miscarriage is a devastating baby loss before 20 weeks of pregnancy in the womb.
However, Subchorionic hematoma can increase the risk of miscarriages in women with vaginal bleeding.
Let’s investigate!
Table of Content
What Is Subchorionic Hematoma?
A Subchorionic hemorrhage or hematoma occurs when the blood gathers between the chorionic membrane and the uterus wall around your baby. It is a condition where the placenta gets partially detached from its original position in the uterine wall.
However, it is the primary cause of first-trimester bleeding (20% of all bleeding) in almost all pregnancies.
Moreover, it is expected between 10 to 20 weeks of pregnancy. However, it is safe until small and gets healed on its own without producing any intensifying impacts on the pregnancy.
But, if it worsens, it might lead to several complications in pregnancy, out of which miscarriage is the leading one.
Let’s discover different aspects of Subchorionic hematoma!
Causes of Subchorionic Hematoma
The causes of Subchorionic hematoma aren’t known yet; it is still believed to be a consequence of placental dislodgement.
However, the following are some other significant causes of Subchorionic hematoma.
- In vitro fertilization
- Hypertension
- Uterine malformation
- History of recurrent miscarriages
- Trauma or injury
- Early onset preeclampsia
- Use of vasodilator drugs (cocaine, methamphetamines, etc.)
- Blood clotting disorders
Symptoms of Subchorionic Hematoma
A Subchorionic hematoma is characterized by heavy to light vaginal bleeding and pelvic cramping.
However, sometimes no prominent symptom signifies Subchorionic hematoma, which is detected through sonography.
Subchorionic Hematoma Bleeding vs Miscarriage: Complications of Subchorionic Hematoma
If you’re having difficulty differentiating between Subchorionic hematoma bleeding vs. miscarriage, look no further as you’re at the perfect site to discover their interdependence.
If a Subchorionic hematoma develops in early pregnancy (usually the first trimester), it is comparatively safer and less concerning.
However, those hematomas that cause the placenta to be detached from its surface are more worrisome. A 30% placental dislodge leads to severe complications in pregnancy, such as miscarriages or abortions.
Moreover, the complications caused by a Subchorionic hematoma depend upon its severity, which is linked to its size as follows;
| Subchorionic Hematoma Size Chart | |
| Sizes | Comparison With Gestation 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 |
Well, for now on, let’s study the connection between Subchorionic hematoma and miscarriages!
Does Subchorionic Hematoma Cause Miscarriage?
Subchorionic hematomas are a common pregnancy issue that usually does not pose any problems for healthy women. However, more significant subcutaneous bleeds can be more problematic and require medical attention to resolve them safely.
However, Subchorionic hematomas can risk causing miscarriages, but most times, this doesn’t happen, and the baby is born healthy.
The probability is significantly increased if the hematomas are more significant in size.
How Does a Subchorionic Hematoma Cause a Miscarriage?
Subchorionic hematomas in retroplacental locations may cause further separation of the placenta from the uterine wall, leading to abruption.
However, when a placenta abrupts, it leads to miscarriage as the baby becomes deprived of nutrients and oxygen.
In this way, Subchorionic hematomas lead to miscarriages!
Can Subchorionic Hematoma Cause Missed Miscarriage?
A missed miscarriage is one with no symptoms. It is difficult to detect and deal with due to a lack of symptoms.
Missed miscarriages happen when the baby has already died in the womb, but you didn’t have any symptoms such as bleeding or pain.
Some significant detections of a missed miscarriage include abdominal pain, lack of pregnancy symptoms, discharge of brownish fluid, or vaginal bleeding later on.
However, a Subchorionic hematoma often goes undetected. Therefore, it can lead to a missed miscarriage without any symptoms!
How Often Does Subchorionic Hematoma Result in Miscarriage?
Bleeding during pregnancy is quite common. Also, it is one of the scariest and most worrisome symptoms for pregnant women. However, if it is a Subchorionic hematoma, one must visit a doctor as it can lead to miscarriage or other complications, although it is sporadic.
However, the Subchorionic hematoma- miscarriage rate is around 30%. This means that almost 30%of women with Subchorionic hematoma are likely to be victimized by conditions like miscarriages or abortion due to an increased risk of placental abruption!
Subchorionic Hematoma in Early Pregnancy Outcomes: Week 5, 6, and 7
A Subchorionic hematoma in the early phases of the first trimester can be a bit scary. Women with Subchorionic hematoma usually don’t even know they are pregnant during this phase.
However, Subchorionic hematoma is most likely to occur in weeks 5-7 in case of in vitro fertilization.
Some case studies suggested that women suffering from Subchorionic hematoma during their early pregnancy aren’t at risk of developing complications like miscarriages or abortions.
However, the situation will likely aggravate if the hemorrhage worsens and intensifies with time.
How Long Does Subchorionic Bleeding Last?
Many women experience vaginal bleeding as a result of having a Subchorionic hematoma. This can range from light spotting to heavy, prolonged bleeding with clots and cramping.
However, Subchorionic hemorrhagic bleeding usually lasts for a few days and settles on its own. The bleeding comes and goes till the second trimester.
Moreover, you might experience increased bleeding, particularly after going to the toilet.
What Irritates a Subchorionic Hematoma?
A Subchorionic hematoma is irritated more with activities leading to placental dislodgement. Such activities include sexual intercourse, heavy-loaded weight lifting, strenuous exercises, jogging, and other hard-earned training courses.
The placenta is a vital organ that provides nutrients and oxygen for the fetus. However, if more than 30% becomes dislodged, it can cause an expanding Subchorionic hematoma which may lead to spontaneous abortion and miscarriages in some cases.
Therefore, avoid unnecessary activities to prevent miscarriages through Subchorionic hematomas!
Treatment of Subchorionic Hematoma
There’s no need to worry if you have a Subchorionic hemorrhage. This condition goes away on its own, and there isn’t any specific treatment.
However, you can follow these treatment options to decrease known risks;
- Oral and vaginal micronized progesterone 400 mg/day
- Complete bed rest
- Less strenuous exercises
- No physical stress or exertion
- No anxiety or depression.
- Avoid sex,
- No heavy lifting objects
- Monitoring of symptoms suggesting early labor and contractions
- Follow-up ultrasounds
- Hospitalization in case of larger hematomas
How Long Does a Subchorionic Hematoma Take to Resolve?
Generally, a Subchorionic hematoma takes 1-2 weeks to heal without any specific treatment.
However, the case improvement also depends upon the size and severity of the damage.
Signs Subchorionic Hematoma Resolving
If you’re looking for signs that your Subchorionic hematoma is resolving, then reduced bleeding symptoms might help you get your way!
A reduction in bleeding plus the color changing from blood red to a brownish discharge signifies that your hematoma is healing.
However, be more careful as you’re at the edge of the healing process. Take proper rest, and avoid lifting heavy objects or doing heavy exercises to prevent the condition from worsening!
Final Verdict
Bleeding during pregnancy is never fun, but it doesn’t have to be an emergency. However, knowing its significant impacts on the developing embryo is essential.
Subchorionic hematoma is a type of blood pool that can form in the region below your chorionic layer around the embryo. It is customary in most pregnancies but can occasionally lead to complications like miscarriages or abortions.
However, please consult your healthcare provider to know the main dos and don’ts while suffering from Subchorionic hematoma to avoid any of its complications.
Nevertheless, around 30% of women suffering from it are likely to develop miscarriages, making it a problematic condition.
However, the most important thing you need to know about Subchorionic hematoma is that it can go hand in hand with a safe pregnancy, so don’t be afraid!
Therefore, it’s essential to know the main differences between Subchorionic hematoma bleeding vs. miscarriage, as most women create a mess between the two before the accurate prognosis that has already been discussed above!
FAQs
Let’s find out some of the frequently asked questions.
Is It a Subchorionic Hemorrhage or Miscarriage?
If you’re having trouble knowing if it is a Subchorionic hemorrhage or miscarriage, immediately consult your gynecologist.
However, Subchorionic hematoma bleeding can range from light spotting to heavy vaginal bleeding with occasional pelvic cramping.
On the contrary, a miscarriage is signified through severe cramping in the lower abdomen, heavy brown fluid, and tissue discharge from the vagina, with a lack of pregnancy symptoms.
Therefore, these differences help to differentiate between the prognosis of the two!
What Is Bleeding Like With Subchorionic Hematoma?
The blood that bleeds in Subchorionic hematoma is usually only visible through sonography, or you can also see it rarely.
However, the color ranges from light pink to dark brown (pale pink, red, blood red, brown, dark brown).
Moreover, the bleeding varies from light spotting to heavy bleeding.
How Long Did You Bleed With a Subchorionic Hematoma?
Subchorionic hematoma bleeding usually heals on its own. The bleeding keeps on occurring till the second trimester (24 weeks).
However, the expected time for the bleeding to settle is around one to two weeks!
Do You Pass Blood Clots With Subchorionic Hematoma?
Yes, it is possible to bleed clots while suffering from Subchorionic hematoma. However, you might not have even a single blood spot at times!
