CapitolBaby:Yep! I had one, so did my cousin, and just found out one of my other pregnant friends had one. As scary as they are, they're harmless. Hers will probably clear up in 2nd trimester. I bled a LOT with mine. Huge gushes of blood one a week or once every 2 weeks, and a lot of spotting. For me, it started at 5 weeks, and had my last bleed at about 14 weeks. I know how scary it can be, but assure her to relax and not worry, because it'll clear up.
Well they CAN be harmless, but SCHs are associated with a substantially increased risk of m/c. In most cases they do ultimately resolve, but bedrest is definitely key. Very best wishes to your friend! I had first tri bleeding too (after IVF also) and it SUCKED.
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/404971-overview
Frequency
United States
The incidence of subchorionic hemorrhage (subchorionic hematoma) is 1.3% of all pregnancies. In pregnant patients with first-trimester vaginal bleeding, the incidence increases to almost 20%. Bennett et al9 reported a spontaneous abortion rate of 9.3% in patients with first-trimester vaginal bleeding who had a live fetus and subchorionic hematoma. Overall, hematoma is associated with a 4-33% rate of miscarriage depending on the gestational age when the complication occurs.
Mortality/Morbidity
- The presence of sonographically detected subchorionic hemorrhage (subchorionic hematoma) increases the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, abruptio placentae, and preterm labor.
- The rate of spontaneous abortion directly varies with the size of subchorionic hematoma and the mother's age. The rate of spontaneous abortion is inversely related to gestational age. The frequency of fetal demise is higher with retroplacental hematoma than with marginal subchorionic hematoma.