Subchorionic Hematoma: Symptoms, Diagnosis & What to Expect

Question
Hi, my name is Amie and I am 23.  I have 1 child already, and I had pre-eclampsia with that pregnancy.  My LMP was 12/24/05.  I went to my Ob on Mon due to bleeding, both red and brown with mucus and cramping.  The Dr. I saw did an ultrasound and said she found nothing there, but sent me to radiology to check for an ectopic. In radiology they said they found a gestational sac measuring 5 wks. My hCg level was also drawn, and it was 264, which I do know is low...but could be ok. The next day I went back to the office and saw MY doctor, not the one I saw the day before.  He said my cervix was completly closed, and yes I was bleeding, but he saw no reason to say I miscarried like I was told.  He said what he thought happened was when the baby implanted a blood vessel was nicked, causing me to bleed.  Now, I am still bleeding bright red blood, but I would compare it to a medium flow as opposed to the heavy flow it was.  I have not soaked through a pad, and my cramping is getting better.  Does it sound like I may have a subchorionic hematoma...or that I really am miscarrying?  I do go back tomorrow for another blood draw to check my levels.  I do apologize for this being so long, but I have gone from thinking my baby is gone to it really might be ok.  Thank you so much for your help!

Answer
If your last period started on December 24, yuou are now only 6 weeks 3 days preg nant (from your last period). Usually, we do not see a subchorionic bleed until the placenta starts forming ,and they can usually see the bleed (or hematoma) via sonogram.  They did see a gestational sac, but no fetus, which means that you were probably 5-6 weeks pregnant. By seeing the gestational sac, it ruled out an ectopic pregnancy (in the tubes). If yuo are still bleeding, I would definitely repeat the Beta HCG blood test to see if there is a rise or fall. If there is a halving of the results, it indicates a miscarriage. If there is a doubling of the results, it indicates a viable pegnancy. I would also repeat the sonogram in two weeks. By then, if it is a viable pregnancy, you should see a fetus and a fetal heartbeat. Good luck.