A subchorionic bleed is also called a subchorionic hemorrhage. It refers to blood that collects between the gestational membranes, such as the placenta, and the uterus during pregnancy.

Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy is common, affecting 16–25% of people during the first trimester of pregnancy. However, though common, it’s still not considered “normal” in pregnancy.

Many people experience light bleeding or spotting from the vagina during pregnancy. However, heavier bleeding can sometimes indicate a complication in the pregnancy.

Other more serious causes of bleeding in early pregnancy include:

SCH does not mean a person will lose the baby. Often, close monitoring leads to the delivery of healthy babies. However, It’s still important to speak with a health care professional if you experience any bleeding during your pregnancy.

A health care professional can check for any worrying signs and monitor your pregnancy to ensure the best possible outcome.

The main symptom of SCH is vaginal bleeding, but you may also feel discomfort and tenderness and a pain in the belly or back that comes on suddenly and does not go away.

Some people experience cramping or contractions, however most do not have abdominal pain.

Some people will not experience any symptoms at all and will only find out they have SCH during a routine ultrasound examination.

If you experience any symptoms, note the following down so you have the details ready when you contact your doctor:

  • how much blood there is
  • whether the bleeding comes and goes or is constant
  • if you have abdominal pain or contractions
  • whether you have had previous pregnancies
  • whether you’ve previously had STIs of pelvic inflammatory disease
  • if you have risk factors for ectopic pregnancy

Your doctor will likely ask these questions anyway, but it can help to have them to hand.

If you have vaginal bleeding during pregnancy, it’s important to contact a doctor for advice.

A healthcare professional will usually perform a physical examination (gently pressing on your abdomen), do blood tests, and carry out an ultrasound examination.

An ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to generate a black and white image of the fetus and placenta on a screen. If a person is experiencing subchorionic bleeding, the areas of blood inside the uterus may show up on this picture. This scan can also rule out ectopic pregnancy.

A doctor may use a speculum to see how much blood there is and look at your cervix. If you have blood clots, they can send the tissue for examination to determine what might be the cause of your symptoms.

These tests can also help doctors identify or rule out other conditions. If the pregnancy is at 10 to 12 weeks, they’ll also typically check the fetus’s heart beat to make sure it’s within the normal range.

The collection of blood between the womb and the gestational membranes can result in blood clots called subchorionic hematomas, which can be small or large and may lead to vaginal bleeding.

It is unclear why SCH occurs in some people and not others. It may result from a partial separation between the chorionic membrane from the walls of the uterus.

It’s also more common in women with previous pregnancy losses, with known uterine malformations, and when a person has had 2 or more children already

Although subchorionic bleeding is common in the first trimester, it is still best to speak with a doctor to get a correct diagnosis whenever bleeding occurs in pregnancy.

Subchorionic bleeding can increase the risk of pregnancy complications, such as preterm delivery or pregnancy loss. Another possible complication is placental abruption, a severe complication when the placenta detaches from the womb lining.

SCH at the start of pregnancy is also a risk factor of hypertension in the last trimester, but does not increase the risk of other pregnancy complications if diagnosed in early pregnancy.

Most SCHs are not harmful, but some research suggests they may have associations with certain pregnancy complications, particularly if the hematoma is large.

The treatment for SCH will depend on a person’s symptoms, age, and overall health. It will also depend on the size and location of the SCH and the age of the fetus.

For example, an individual with a stable pregnancy and no significant blood loss may be able to recover from SCH with close surveillance and supportive care.

However, the condition represents a serious medical emergency if a person has a bleeding disorder or if there is a lot of blood loss.

A doctor may monitor you in the hospital until the bleeding stops or the SCH resolves.