Frequent spotting/bleeding at 16 weeks

It’s likely you have a subchorionic hematoma, fairly common in IVF. Most should resolve themselves if small or pass (as yours sounds like it’s doing) if slightly larger. Where it gets dangerous is if you have uncontrollable bleeding that can lead to placental abruption - I just went through this. Based on what you’re saying, you’re nowhere even near that amount of blood loss. I had uncontrollable bleeding soaking pads up each day for 2 weeks (started at 15 weeks) to the point where I was severely anemic and required a transfusion that ultimately caused the abruption.

I would check in w/ your OB to see if you can get a drop in scan to confirm why bleeding has increased. Though seriously, I wouldn’t worry too much if it’s a SCH because your bleeding sounds minimal at this point.

Hi Elise, is this something you have experienced?

Just edited my original message a bit. I think you’re far far far away from what I dealt with so don’t freak out!

My SCH presented at 8 weeks with a huge gush of blood and a small clot. I thought I lost the pregnancy, but turned out I had an SCH. I was put on massive amounts of progesterone by my fertility doctor and didn’t bleed again until I started weaning at 11 weeks. At 12, I passed multiple clots the size of my palm and the next day my doctor said she couldn’t see it anymore. I tapered off bleeding for 2 weeks until it stopped. At 14 weeks, my doctor officially gave me the green light to come off pelvic rest. As soon as my husband and I had sex, the bleeding started sporadically again until at 15, it was consistent. I had bouts of heavy bleeding every day and we started watching my RBC/HG levels. They tanked to 7.5 (lower normal limit is 12) and at 16w5d I needed a transfusion. About 8 hours later, I went into preterm labor and a scan that morning confirmed my placenta abrupted

(Sorry that’s a LOT of info but I wish I had someone earlier in my pregnancy actually be up front with their experience). Just wanted to outline so you can see how far away from this you are and not to worry. Still get a scan from a doctor to confirm though!

thanks Elise. I have never heard of this before and despite all the scans and checks I have had no one seems to have any answers.

Is this something I should mention to them do you think?

I had a routine midwife appointment yesterday and she checked baby’s heartbeat which was healthy and strong but this has me worrying again. She said any signs of bleeding I should be contacting Early Pregnancy but when I have rang before to report the bleeding I have almost felt like I’m over-reacting and it has put me off ringing today. I just don’t know what’s normal and what’s not

Yes 100% push for it. Don’t feel bad. If I knew SCHs were so common I would have thought twice about doing IVF. I only learned about them via the community here after experiencing one. Doctors (esp fertility doctors) just don’t give out enough info - they’re just focused on transfer rates.

My regular OB was such an advocate for me and when she couldn’t see me, she set me up with a high risk OB (we all it MFM in the states). I got weekly scans with high def instruments and experienced doctors who knew exactly what to look for. I just kept persistently following up and asked.

Chances are your midwife lacks this technology and expertise. Push to been seen by a doctor who knows what to look out for - don’t let anyone down play your concerns. Good luck and keep us posted!!!

I have also had a sch, however they come is vast sizes. Giving different types of risk factors, depending where they are. However mine was seen on a scan, they could see old blood so I would think of this was the case they may have picked it up on your scans.
Your cervix can bleed during pregnancy due to all the changes. I had lots of bleeding when I was 6 weeks and clots, it started again at about 13 weeks. I’m 18 weeks now and since they can’t see my sch on the scans so I’m hoping it’s gone! Good luck. Sometimes they never find the cause for the bleeding my friend bled all the way through. 25% of women do experience bleeding in pregnancy and especially ivf x

Hi Chloe. Is your pregnancy also via IVF?

Now that you ladies have mentioned this, I did have one of the fertility consultants confirm early on that there was old blood when looking at a scan but a consultant I saw at my local hospital at 14 weeks said this was no longer there.

I know a lot of the nurses and midwives I have seen from 12 weeks on haven’t much experience with IVF so I’m wondering would they know what to look for (they have all been so lovely don’t get me wrong). I just worry that’s it’s being missed.

Is it something you would continue to push until you get answers?

Yeah mine is an ivf pregnant also, you can get them SCH in normal pregnancies as well so the sonographer will no what there looking for :) you could always go to the IPU for another scan if it’s worrying you xx

thanks Chloe. P.s. what is the IPU?x

I agree it sound like a SCH, had it on my last pregnancy.

Hi Christin, did you manage it ok and have a successful pregnancy?

it was totally fine, resolved after a few weeks and my daughter is 5 months.