“If you are here, you have either experienced or are experiencing your babies loss, and I want to start by saying I am so sorry for your loss, for your pain and for the season you are currently facing. My prayer is that God will use us and our experience to bring you some answers, comfort, or to remind you that you know you are not alone.”

What is subchorionic bleeding?

Subchorionic bleeding occurs when the placenta detaches from the original site of implantation. This is called a subchorionic haemorrhage or hematoma. It affects the chorionic membranes. These lift apart and form another sac between the placenta and the uterus. The movement and resulting clots are what cause this type of bleeding.

These hematomas can range in size, with the smallest being the most common. Larger versions can cause heavier bleeding.

 

What causes subchorionic hematomas?

The causes of subchorionic hematoma aren’t fully understood. However, it’s thought that in some cases, bleeding may occur when the placenta—the organ that forms during pregnancy to provide oxygen and nutrients to the developing fetus and also to carry away waste—dislodges fully or partially from the uterine wall.

Another possibility is that when the fertilized egg implants into the uterine wall, the attachment is abnormal in some way. A small number of women experience a phenomenon called implantation bleeding around the time of implantation.

 

What are the risk factors?

There are some suspected risk factors for subchorionic hematomas. For example, women who’ve already had one baby or older appear to be more likely to develop subchorionic hematomas.

While bleeding from a subchorionic hematoma can be alarming, it is rarely a sign of a miscarriage. If the hematoma is small, develops early in pregnancy, and is otherwise symptom-free, the chances of carrying your baby to term are good.

What are the symptoms?

Bleeding caused by a subchorionic hematoma can range from a heavy flow with clots to light spotting to no bleeding at all, in which case the only reason the clot is discovered is that it shows up during an ultrasound.

Vaginal bleeding is estimated to affect as many as one in four women during the first half of pregnancy and is a common reason for first-trimester ultrasonography. Some women also have some cramping, especially if the bleeding is significant.

Treatment?

Once a subchorionic hematoma forms, there’s nothing a doctor can do about it. There’s no treatment for these blood clots. However, they can be managed. If you develop one, depending on the location and size of the hematoma, your doctor may advise you to come in for regular follow-up exams.

You would also be advised to avoid strenuous activity, heavy lifting, or excessive exercise. You may need frequent rest to prevent increases in blood pressure. In addition, staying well-hydrated can help prevent constipation and the subsequent straining that might set off bleeding.

In rare cases, a doctor may recommend blood thinners to bleed the clot out. If the chances of miscarriage are high, some doctors will use estrogen and progesterone to slow or prevent further haemorrhaging.

My experience with subchorionic bleed.

On my 1st scan, where I was close to 8 weeks, I was told that I had a subchorionic bleed (see image below). The sonographer assured me that this can be common in early pregnancy. However, I was told to;

  • Stay in bed, on bed rest.
  • Avoid standing for long periods of time.
  • Avoid sex.
  • Avoid exercise.

Over the next couple of weeks, I stayed well-rested, stopped exercise completely, avoided any lifting etc., this wasn’t too hard as I had SEVERE sickness all day long. It was noted on several scans that we had that it wasn’t getting any bigger.

Fast forward a month, and I started to spot; I went to A&E to be told as there is no heavy bleeding, not to worry…The following day I came in for a scan to be told my baby was healthy and strong. Two days later, I had another scan to be told our baby was still healthy and strong.

One day later, I lost a large blood clot (click to view). I was convinced that that was it, I had lost my baby! My husband called an ambulance, who assessed the clot and took me straight to the hospital. (I did not have a great experience, so I will leave that part out as this post aims to highlight my journey and help you on yours.) The following day I had a scan to be told our baby was fine; it was my subchorionic bleed that I had lost as you can imagine, my heart rejoiced and felt so much relief.

However, the following day I spoke to my midwife who called me in for a follow up as she couldn’t find my notes from my scan (As I was taken to a different hospital). As I sat in the waiting room looking at maternity clothes with no concerns whatsoever, I then got called in, where I received the worst news I have ever received in my life. “Sorry, there is no heartbeat” This hit me so hard, especially as I had so many scans that week telling me our baby was fine.

Later that evening, we went for a second opinion which confirmed our baby was no longer with us. However, he also confirmed there was no longer a subchorionic bleed, and the clot I had lost did not cause my baby heartbeat to stop as the baby and sac was entirely intact still in my uterus. It was my subchorionic bleed that I had lost.

If you have been told you have a subchorionic bleed, try your best to rest, pray and remind yourself it is common in pregnancy and from my experience, it did not cause my loss. However, please do speak to your GP about treatment options that were not presented to me, other than what I listed above.

Tips on reflection:

The purpose of this post is to let you know that you are NOT alone in feeling what you have felt or are feeling. The pain, the confusion, the shock. It is all part of the process. I have listed below some “tips”, simply sharing how I got through these times myself. I can only pray that you can be encouraged by them.

In no particular order;

  •  PRAY: Ask God to help you not to have a worried heart. (See prayer below)
  •  WORSHIP: Listen to your favourite worship songs. (See list below)
  •  READ: Rest & meditate in God’s word (see list below)
  •  TALK: Talk to your spouse and brothers and sisters in Christ, asking them to pray with or for you.
  •  FEEL: Remind yourself that it’s ok not to be ok! Remember, God knows how you feel and finds comfort in knowing that he saves those crushed in spirit.

Prayer, songs and scripture helped us through this time. (and continue to help us) 

Prayer:

Lord, thank you that your word says that you are close to the brokenhearted because I can find comfort in knowing that amid my deepest pain, you are with me whilst my heart is breaking. Thank you that I don’t need to feel guilty for my pain or the tears that I am shedding.

In my pain, I ask that you help my heart stay soft towards you Lord, please help my heart not become hardened through my loss. Want to draw closer to you, not away from you.

Please heal what’s broken, comfort my weariness and restore everything within me that’s been lost. I feel empty, and I ask you to fill me back up again. I do not know how to get through this, so I ask you for strength where I am weak, comfort for my sorrow and hope for my future.

I pray that you continue to keep my husband united to you and me, and as a family, we remain open on honest with how we feel.

Most importantly, Father, I pray that you can turn mine and my families pain into purpose, this test into our testimony, and this mess into our message. Please use us to glorify you amid our suffering; use us to point others to the cross. In Jesus name, I pray, Amen.

Songs:

Promises: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1PonQaEtK0

Have my hearthttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3Skc4MQlqU 

Praise you in the stormhttps://www.youtube.com/watch? v=t5jhtjLt0pg&list=PLXhWe5uvEV3lyngDmZ08-Icoudzpuz00p&index=2

Surroundedhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpd12nQ82vw

Scripture:

Psalm 34:18

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

Matthew 5:4

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Isaiah 41:10

fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed (afraid), for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Psalm 46:1

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Psalm 18:28

For it is you who light my lamp; the Lord, my God, lightens my darkness.