Question-------------------------
I am now about 20 weeks. The area on the ultrasound behind the placenta that they are concerned about is more than 6 cm long and 1.69 cm thick. It was measuring at about 2.5 cm in length previously. They had lifted my bedrest restrictions, but it seems that the clot has really gotten larger. Does that seem prudent? I just don't want to do anything to harm my baby. I'm not completely sure what questions to ask? It seems like all the info. I've found on the internet suggests bedrest.
The bleeding has stopped completely. I do not even have brown discharge, yet the clot is getting bigger. The perinatlogist checked where the umbilical cord was inserted and said she was encouraged. They are concerned about preterm labor. As of now the baby looks great!
I just want to do the right thing. I am going to see my ob again on Tuesday. I just want to know what questions to ask, and what another professional opinion might be for someone in my situation. I will follow the advice of my ob. I'm just looking for any suggestions.
Thank you so much!
Followup To
Question -
I am 30 yrs old. This is my first pregnancy. My lmp was Aug. 22. I had an IUI on sept.1.
A week ago, I went to the hospital with a lot of bleeding. They thought that my membrane had ruptured, kept me in for observation, and we were sent home with the idea that we were going to lose the baby.
However, this Mon. I had another ultrasound, and the baby was doing fine, but it showed a large clot behind the placenta.
I haven't had any cramping, the bleeding has stopped.
I have some brown discharge. My tummy gets hard at night, and I wake up extremely thirsty.
I was wondering if this is an abruption? I am on bedrest, but very nervous. I am 18 weeks pregnant.
Answer -
From your description, the bleeding either is, indeed, a placental abruption or a subchorionic hematoma. A placental abruption is a premature separation of the placenta. You continue to bleed heavily with cramps, but the baby's heartbeat usually stops and you lose the baby. Since the sonogram showed that the baby was doing fine, it may merely be a subchorionic bleed which is a sequestration of blood within the folds of the placenta during its development. This usually dissipates on its own and the bleeding stops within a few weeks. Without seeing the sonogram or examining you, I can't tell which it is. Discuss it with your doctor.
AnswerAs long as the baby has adequate growth and there is a good fetal heartbeat, and the bleeding has stopped, there is nothing more to do. I would continue with serial ultrasounds to assess the hematoma. However, hopefully it will not cause any problems. Drink plenty of water. If you start to have contractions more than 10 minutes apart, get into bed and call your doctor. Good Luck.
