QuestionDear Dr. Rappaport,
Thanks for answering my question below. I went for a followup ultrasound and the heart rate went up to 158 just 1 week later. However, I also have what my OB called a subchorionic separation and it grew over that same week. I don't know the size but I'm fairly sure it's still small, smaller than the baby. It's posterior to the gestational sac. Is this the same thing as a subchorionic hematoma? What does it mean exactly? Will it go away on its own? Is the fact that it grew very worrisome? Should I be limiting my activities/exercise at all? My doctor feels I don't need to limit my activities but I'm very concerned that the separation grew. I haven't had any bleeding.
Thanks, as always, for your advice.
Sincerely,
Nicole
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Followup To
Question -
Dear Dr Rappaport,
I'm currently 7 weeks pregnant. I took Clomid while trying to conceive and had a positive ovulation test on cycle day 19. I think I ovulated on CD20. I've read online that later ovulation can mean diminished egg quality and I've seen different definitions of late ovulation. Would CD20 be considered late? Does this mean that something could be wrong with the baby, moreso than if I ovulated earlier? I had an ultrasound last week and the heart rate was "a little on the slow side" and this is all making me very nervous. I'm 33, have a 2.5 year old son, and 11/7 was the 1st day of my LMP. Thank you so much for your advice.
Sincerely,
Nicole
Answer -
If you ovulated on cycle day #19 or 20, that is completely normal. Remember that all the eggs you will have for your entire lifetime were produced when you were in your mother's womb, at around 20 weeks gestation. Since birth they have been dormant and started ovulating once you reached puberty. Your eggs do not diminsh in quality. However, eggs can diminish in quality as you get older and older (after 40 years of age). Don't worry.
AnswerA "subchorionic hematoma" is a sequestration of blood within the folds of the developing placenta. It usually develops at around 11-12 weeks gestation when the placenta is forming. A "separation" or "abruption" of the placenta is different and can cause problems for the pregnancy if the bleeding continues. I would limit your activities (lifting, straining, sexual intercours) until you repeat the sonogram in a few weeks. Often, a small separation of the placenta will heal itself and there will be no further collection of blood (hematoma).
