Any SCH Mamas?

[APToddlerMama]

I'm 10.5 weeks and have had an SCH that was diagnosed at 6 weeks.  I am just wondering and hoping there are some other mamas on here going through the same thing or who have been through it. I am also curious about what sort of medical attention others are getting because I am feeling like my care has been kind of substandard.  It is so stressful!  I'd love to hear from some others going through the same thing and hopefully we can offer each other support!   

[bstandlee]

I had one that was noticed at 9 weeks. I didn't really receive any treatment other than being told to lay around and stay off my feet as much as I could. At my ultrasound a week later the blood had already been reabsorbed. I've read some women were told to take baby or low dose aspirin but not everybody. I think it's really a wait and see what happens kind of thing. From what I've read, most cases resolve on their own with time.

Have you had another ultrasound since your diagnosis to see if it's growing or shrinking?

[APToddlerMama]

Yes, I have had two ultrasounds and she hasn't said if it is bigger or smaller.  In fact, I don't even know that her ultrasound machine can tell her.  It is pretty old. 

Did they tell you that your placenta had separated from the wall?  That is what I am most concerned about.  Thank you for your reply!

[bstandlee]

I was told there was bleeding inside the uterus, which is usually caused by a small tear in the placenta (different from placental abruption where the placenta separates from the uterine wall). The thought is with bedrest and minimal activity the tear won't get worse and will heal itself (which it usually does, amazingly!). So, as far as I could figure out, there were 2 problems: the tear in the placenta, and the blood that leaked into the uterus from the tear. (Somebody please correct me if I'm mistaken!) Like I said, the tear usually heals itself, and the remaining blood then usually either comes out (in potentially large amounts that can be terrifying) or simply gets reabsorbed into the body. That's what mine did.

On the ultrasound, they should be able to tell if the amount of blood is getting bigger (indicating the tear is still there) or getting smaller, indicating that the blood is getting reabsorbed (or if you've noticed any blood coming out when you go to the bathroom). Have you talked to your care provider about your questions? She should be able to give you more information than she has given you so far. If you don't feel she answers your questions satisfactorily, you could consider finding a new provider perhaps. I hope this info helps a little bit! Chances are you'll be just fine, but I know how nerve racking it can be to have questions and not fully understand what's going on :)

[APToddlerMama]

Thank you!  At the first ultrasound, she said there was a clot, and nothing more.  Second ultrasound she mentioned a tear in the placenta, and third ultrasound she said that there was a placental "separation" which was causing the pooling blood to clot.  Incidentally, I also had a placental abruption with my son.  It seems like this separation is actually an abruption which seems to be really rare in the first trimester, but I am soooooo confused.  I'm already on my second OB, and although I am not really confident in her, I don't feel like I have a lot of other good options.  She has me on baby aspirin which I don't understand because I have read it increases the risk of abruption.  My understanding is that I am on it because I might have a clotting disorder, though I have tested negative for the 7 that she has tested me for.  I just don't have any of the other common risk factors for abruption which I think is why she is thinking clotting disorder.  It just really sucks that this is happening to me a second time. 

If there is a placental "separation", does that sound to you like more than just a SCH? 

[bstandlee]

I can see why you're so confused! When is your next appointment? I'm not really sure what to tell you...sorry! I would definitely call and ask some questions if your next appointment isn't for awhile. It's not worth the stress wondering about this. I can also see why you would be hesitant to switch providers at this point. Hopefully you'll get some reassuring answers soon!

[SierraBella]

We're in the same DDC so you know already that I have/had SCH. I bleed at 5w, then I've had one every week on the dot, until last week and a half (9w was my last), and haven't had one since. At 5.5w I had my first u/s and they told me I had SCH but didn't really tell me what to do about it.. so I just did my own research and have been trying to take it easy, trying not to do heavy lifting (which is sometimes impossible with other children to take care of), I started taking a progesterone cream 2x a day, drinking lots of water, and lots of positive affirmations. So.. at 8w, my u/s they told me it was there, it was the same size as before, and that it hadn't gotten any bigger was a really good sign, and we'll just keep an eye on it. Yesterday was my 10w and the u/s showed that it has pretty much been resolved. My OB told me that since the baby looks great, is measuring on track, with a strong heartbeat, the chances of losing the pregnancy are very very slim at this point. He told me they usually do resolve and most often if they are going to cause a m/c it is early on.

From what I've researched, I think placental separation is part of the SCH.. sometimes that is the cause of it... you can still have a great full term pregnancy though, and it can still heal on it's own.

(HUGS)

[DaisyMay]

I had a  SCH diagnosed at 7.5 wks after a day of heavy bleeding.  Didn't bleed again, but the clot remained for quite a while - still present at 12 wk scan, gone by 20 wk scan.  From what I understood, it caused an increased miscarriage risk particularly while it was considerably bigger than the baby (at first scan baby was 1.3cm and clot was like 5cm) or if it is continually causing more red bleeding.  Brown blood is good as it means the clot is shutting down/clearing up.  I'm now 39 weeks and have had no further probs.  The midwives I saw at 7.5 wks advised no sex but otherwise no difference in behaviour - they said nothing really makes a difference; either it will clear up on it's own or not but nothing we do really influences this.  By 16 wks they said sex was fine, even though the clot was still there, as there had been no more bleeding.  I would suggest reading up as much as you can on the condition and going to your next appt with specific questions (ie what size is the clot in comparison to the baby etc) to help your OB along!  Try not to worry - from everything I've been told there really is nothing we can do other than wait and see and hope for the best - frustrating I know.  Good luck. 

[rareimer]

i had an SCH at 11 weeks (and then another bleed at 14 weeks.)  each time, the bleeding lasted about 2 days, and then there would be brown spotting for a couple weeks after. from what my OB said, it is basically a "mini placental abruption", where a small piece of the placenta begins to separate from the uterine wall.  since there are so many blood vessels there, a large bruise/clot will form, and that bruise then either drains (causing a bleed,) or reabsorbs.  i've also heard it's not usually dangerous unless the clot is larger than the fetus, but i'm not sure. 

my doctor had me stay off my feet as much as possible for a week or so, and not to lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk.  the second bleed happened when i wasn't listening and carried laundry up and down the stairs all afternoon.  so definitely take it easy--many will say that bedrest doesn't improve outcomes, but for me i know it made a difference when i overdid things.

i had a DVT (blood clot) in my leg during my first pregnancy, so every pregnancy since have been on preventative heparin injections.   in addition to that, my doc put me on low-dose aspirin (which scared me, considering i'm already having problems with bleeding, and am already on an anti-coagulant.)  but apparently it is often recommended, as you want the clot to "bleed out".  also after doing a bit of research, i found out that homeopathic arnica montana is often useful for SCH's, so i started taking that.  the bleeding/spotting stopped about a week after, so it definitely didn't hurt.  we also refrained from sex for quite awhile.  my doctor had said we could try after the bleeding had been gone for 2 weeks, but we waited a bit longer because BF was really scared something would happen.  but now we've been sexually active again, and no problems (though we definitely are cautious.)

i'm now almost 23 weeks, and have had no problems since 14 weeks, and the ultrasound i had at 18 weeks showed the SCH was completely gone.  it can be very very scary--i bled so much the first time that i was sure i was losing the baby.  i bled way more than i did when i had my miscarriage.  it was terrifying.  i worried and worried about this baby until the ultrasound, and when i started feeling regular movement.  try to relax as much as you can.  from what i've read, SCH doesn't really increase the chances of miscarriage, and almost always resolves itself with no further problems, and everything is fine.  *hugs*

[APToddlerMama]

Thanks everyone!  I have found so much info on SCH but not that much on the placenta separating as a result, or being the cause of the SCH, so it is good to know rareimer that you also experienced the same thing.  Well..not good for either of us but I am glad yours seems to have resolved.  I have also noticed that any time I am not taking it super easy, I end up with really bad cramping.  It is kind of hard having another kiddo to chase around while trying to rest.

I'd love to hear from any other SCH mamas too!  Especially those who have had the placenta tear away.