Pregnancy is often painted as a time of joy and excitement, but for many of us, it can also be fraught with worry and uncertainty. I learned this firsthand when I experienced bleeding during the early weeks of my pregnancy.
Though everything is currently going ok in my case, the experience was a rollercoaster of emotions. I wanted to share my story to provide some insight and reassurance for others who might be going through something similar.
Although I am currently in my 7th week of pregnancy, I will update as I get further along.
The First Bleed: 4 Weeks
At around four weeks pregnant, I started bleeding. It wasn’t light spotting, but also not enough to fill a tampon. It was enough to soak a tissue with bright red blood, which immediately sent me into a panic.
The bleeding lasted about five hours, tapering off rather than stopping abruptly. I hadn’t had my first ultrasound yet, so my mind raced with thoughts of what this could mean.
A call to my doctor helped ease my fears, but not completely. They told me to keep an eye on the bleeding and come in for an evaluation if it got heavier or was accompanied by severe cramping. Thankfully, it didn’t.
I had also gotten my HCG levels check with a blood test the day before the bleed and was going back for another blood test the following day. The results showed that my HCG was rising and doubling as it should, so I was able to relax my fears a bit.
A Lighter Scare: 5 Weeks
At five weeks, I had another episode, but this time it was just light spotting and lasted about an hour. Still, the sight of blood during pregnancy is nerve-wracking no matter how minor it seems.
The Diagnosis: Subchorionic Hematoma
After reporting these incidents to my doctor, I had an early ultrasound, which revealed a subchorionic hematoma. This is a collection of blood that forms between the uterine lining and the gestational sac. My doctor explained that bleeding around the gestational sac is never a “good” sign, but it isn’t always a “bad” one either.
In many cases, the blood reabsorbs into the uterine lining as the pregnancy progresses. However, subchorionic hematomas can sometimes increase the risk of complications, which is why monitoring is so important.
Pelvic Rest and Precautions
To reduce the risk of further bleeding, my doctor placed me on pelvic rest. This meant avoiding sex, strenuous exercise, and any heavy lifting. I was also advised to stay hydrated and rest whenever possible.
While it felt strange to adjust my daily routine, these precautions gave me peace of mind that I was doing everything I could to support a healthy pregnancy.
How I Managed the Anxiety
The emotional toll of seeing blood during pregnancy is no small thing. I was constantly worried about what might happen next, but here are a few things that helped me cope:
- Staying informed: Understanding what a subchorionic hematoma is and how common it is (they affect about 1-3% of pregnancies) helped me feel less alone.
- Leaning on my support system: I talked openly with my partner and close family members about my fears, which lightened the mental load. I also love joining due date Facebook groups which offer a variety of women with similar experiences.
- Trusting my doctor: Knowing my doctor was monitoring the situation closely gave me reassurance.
- Practicing mindfulness: Focusing on the things I could control and staying present in the moment helped curb some of my anxiety.
A Message to Others
If you’re experiencing bleeding during pregnancy, know that you’re not alone. While it’s always important to report bleeding to your healthcare provider, it doesn’t necessarily mean the worst. A subchorionic hematoma, while scary, is often common and manageable with proper care and monitoring.
For me, following my doctor’s advice and staying positive made all the difference. Each day that passed felt like a small victory, and I learned to trust my body more with every week that went by.
To anyone navigating this journey, take it one day at a time. You’re stronger than you think, and there’s so much hope ahead.
Have you experienced bleeding during pregnancy? Feel free to share your story or ask questions in the comments below.
Marissa is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist turned stay-at-home mom who loves sharing her tips, tricks, and ideas for navigating motherhood. Her days are filled starting tickle wars and dance parties with three energetic toddlers and wondering how long she can leave the house a mess until her husband notices. When she doesn’t have her hands full of children, she enjoys a glass (or 3) of wine, reality tv, and country music. In addition to blogging about all things motherhood, she sells printables on Etsy and has another website, teachinglittles.com, for kid’s activity ideas.
