08/10/2023
⚠️⚠️ Possible trigger warning, but good information nonetheless:
Let’s talk about something that a lot of people have never heard of: Subchorionic hematomas (SCH)
SCH’s are terrifying. Anyone who has gone through having one in their pregnancy has probably lost years of their life from stress, worry, and the unknown due to this.
SCH is when your embryo implants and basically bruises your uterus, causing a blood pocket between the uterus and the chorionic membrane.
SCH can cause bleeding in pregnancy, ranging from old brown blood (like spotting) to bright red blood pouring from you and may even be accompanied with large clots.
SCH is very common in IVF pregnancies, yet not many providers will warn you ahead of time. Or they will warn you but not tell you how much it can really be. You’re left scrambling, emotionally exhausted, afraid, worried - and most likely, you’ll rush to the hospital with the thought that your baby hasn’t made it.
I’m here to tell you that is not always the case. You can still carry a successful pregnancy with an SCH. Sometimes SCH heals without even revealing itself or needing down time - but most of the time, requires pelvic rest, no heavy lifting/pushing/pulling, and a generally calm life until it heals. Typically, SCH clears by the second trimester.
I don’t mean to share this info to scare you, but to prepare you. It can happen in any pregnancy and it happened in my current pregnancy, so I feel compelled to share.
As always, if bleeding in pregnancy, ask your doctor for their recommendations and get checked as much as you feel comfortable. The blood pocket can be found and measured on an ultrasound.