Placenta attaching

[faithful]

Hi all,

I just wanted to know if there's anyone out there who has had spotting and has been told by doc that it is caused by placenta attaching itself? Do any of you experience "growing pains" during your pregnancy? I am eleven weeks along and I am am experiencing some occasional sharp "aches" that seem to alternate from the left side of my lower abdoment to the right side. I wouldn't really call them "pains" persay, but they are nagging little aches. Anyone else experiencing this or know what it could be?

[daly]

I had the pains alternating right or left side and they were attributed to round ligament streching. It would make me stop walking nad sometimes I'd even bend over due to the shock of how painfully sharp they were! Look up round ligament pain and see if it matches your feeling. It really can vary from dull ache to sharp shoots of pain from the side down to your groin. I was concerned because it's classically a 2nd tri thing, but I found out from my RE and research that it's very common in 1st tri and I had them around the same time you are having them.

Re the spotting. I'm not sure, but your RE may be referring to what's called a subchorionic hematoma. They are common and are basically a part of the placenta that has not attached firmly and develops a bruise/hematoma and can bleed on/off. They ussually heal themselves and very rarely cause problems unless they are really big. I had 3 during my last pregnancy. They were all considered small and healed up by 2nd tri I spotted brown and red during my 1st tri due to them! It was not fun, but didn't affect the pregnancy - just my poor frazzled nerves! They increased my progesterone, Although alot of sources say that isn't really necessary.

Good luck! and congrats on almost being 2nd tri!!!! What a great milestone

[deepa100]

I was gonna' say the same thing as daly. She spoke my mind. I too was worried about the little pains and aches around 11 weeks but never got any explanation for it. But you can be rest assured that they will go away. They did, in my case.

[klor]

Daly - I have a question for you. When you descirbe the subchorionic hematoma, that sounds like an issue I had with my last pregnancy. I had my first IVF last year, which resulted in a healthy baby girl born January 2, 2007. However, my 1st trimester (last year) was VERY nerve racking. I bled on and off for the first 3 months. Sometimes very heavy with clots. Luckily, with every trip to the emergency room, the baby was fine. After the 1st trimester, the brown spotting stopped and I went on to have an uneventful pregnancy.

Well, I am now pregnant after my second IVF. I had my u/s on Monday and saw the little heart beating . However, I went home and lunch today and had some bright red spotting. I am waiting for a call back from the doctors office. Since I've been through this before, I am trying to remain calm and tell myself that everything will be fine. But you know how difficult that could be at times.

Anyway, my question is...if I experienced the bleeding last pregnancy, do you think it should be expected this time? Are you pregnant with your second? Did you have spotting with both?

Thanks for your input

Kris

[daly]

Hey Kris,

I'm sooo sorry you're having spotting again. It is so upsetting. I know that people can be more prone to subchorionic hematomas (sch's) depending on the anatomy of your uterus and other things like coagulopathies. I had a septum removed since my last pregnancy. My RE is fairly certain that caused the embryo to attache lower, at a less vascular place. (I actually had full placenta previa my 1-2 tri) So with less blood supply, the placenta is more prone to little bleeds. My septum prevented the embryos from being able to attach at the nice central high location where the blood supply is best. I know several women who had sch's more than one pregnancy. Many couldn't figure out why.

I know they are so frustrating. No matter how reassuring the RE is, the blood is what you see at home in middle of the night! I bought a little doppler that worked from week 8 or 9 since my bleeds were until week 11. That was a god-send. It really helped decrease the stress. I'm sending you enormous sticky vibes and hoping the bleeding stopsand doesn't haunt you this pregnancy. Bright red blood can also be cervical bleeding which is totally harmless and happens with all the extra progesterone that increases the blood vessels.

Let us know how you do and what the doctor says. Wishing all the best for an uneventful pregnancy from now on!

[faithful]

Daly,

You were right on the money about the sch--that's exactly what it was. I want to thank you for putting me at ease with your response. I went to have an u/s today because the bleeding was just freaking me out. Junior was all over the place! It was so cute! The Doc tells me that the hematoma is small and he put me on modified bed rest. He said that everything should resolve on its own, try not to stress.

Anywho, thanks again for your input. Hope all is well with you and your little bean. God Bless!

[faithful]

Daly,

You were right on the money about the sch--that's exactly what it was. I want to thank you for putting me at ease with your response. I went to have an u/s today because the bleeding was just freaking me out. Junior was all over the place! It was so cute! The Doc tells me that the hematoma is small and he put me on modified bed rest. He said that everything should resolve on its own, try not to stress.

Anywho, thanks again for your input. Hope all is well with you and your little bean. God Bless!