Complications & Concerns What Is a Subchorionic Hematoma? A blood clot that forms between the placenta and the wall of the uterus By Krissi Danielsson Krissi Danielsson Krissi Danielsson, MD is a doctor of family medicine and an advocate for those who have experienced miscarriage. Learn about our editorial process Updated on August 17, 2022 Print Verywell / Gary Ferster Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Causes of Subchorionic Hematoma Risk Factors of Subchorionic Hematoma Symptoms of Subchorionic Hematoma Complications of Subchorionic Hematoma Treatment of Subchorionic Hematoma Bleeding during pregnancy can be alarming but isn't always a sign of an impending miscarriage. Sometimes, bleeding is a symptom of a fairly common type of blood clot or pooling of blood called a subchorionic hematoma (also known as subchorionic hemorrhage), which occurs in 1.7% to 3.1% of pregnancies. Most subchorionic hematomas will go away on their own without causing harm to the fetus or pregnant person. This type of hematoma is a common cause of vaginal bleeding between 10 and 20 weeks gestation and is caused by "bleeding under one of the membranes (chorion) that surrounds the embryo," according to the University of Michigan Health. The blood clot forms between the placenta and the wall of the uterus and usually will heal itself without adversely impacting the pregnancy. Although there's nothing that can be done about a subchorionic hematoma, in most cases the bleeding resolves without causing a problem. While some studies have shown that this condition may increase the risk of complications and pregnancy loss, the research is inconclusive. Most people who develop subchorionic hematomas enjoy otherwise normal pregnancies. Learn more about subchorionic hematomas. Causes of Subchorionic Hematoma The causes of subchorionic hematoma aren't fully understood. However, research suggests that maternal conditions such as blood clotting disorders, preeclampsia, and trauma, as well as maternal use of drugs that cause blood vessels to dilate (such as cocaine and methamphetamines) could play a role. When Does Implantation Occur in Pregnancy? Risk Factors of Subchorionic Hematoma There are some suspected risk factors for subchorionic hematomas. Studies have found they're more likely to occur in pregnancies that are conceived via in vitro fertilization (IVF) or frozen-thawed embryo transfer, for example. While bleeding from a subchorionic hematoma can be alarming, it is rarely a sign of a miscarriage. If the hematoma develops early in pregnancy, the chances of carrying your baby to term are good. Symptoms of Subchorionic Hematoma Bleeding caused by a subchorionic hematoma can range from a heavy flow with clots to light spotting to no bleeding at all, in which case the only reason the clot is discovered is that it shows up during an ultrasound. Vaginal bleeding is estimated to affect as many as one in four people during the first half of pregnancy and is a common reason for first-trimester ultrasonography. Some women also have some cramping, especially if the bleeding is significant. When Hemorrhage Is a Sign of Miscarriage Complications of Subchorionic Hematoma Hematomas found during the early part of the first trimester tend to be less problematic than those discovered later in the first or second trimester. And generally speaking, small hematomas on the surface of the placenta are far less concerning than those that develop under the placenta or behind the fetal membrane. Hematomas that don't grow also are less worrisome, but those that do may cause the placenta to pull away from its attachment site on the uterus. If more than 30% of the placenta becomes dislodged, it could cause the hematoma to grow even larger. This may set off a domino effect in which the membranes (amniotic sac) rupture prematurely, leading to spontaneous abortion. In fact, research has found that subchorionic hematoma can increase the risk of an array of pregnancy complications, including miscarriage, preterm labor, placental abruption, and premature rupture of membranes. The risk of complications is largely related to the size of the subchorionic hematoma, how far along the pregnancy is, and the parent's age. Treatment of Subchorionic Hematoma Once a subchorionic hematoma forms there's nothing a doctor can do about it. There's no treatment for these blood clots. However, they can be managed. If you develop one, depending on the location and size of the hematoma, your doctor may have you come in for regular follow-up exams. You would also be advised to avoid strenuous activity, heavy lifting, or excessive exercise. You may need frequent rest to prevent increases in blood pressure, and your doctor may also recommend against travel. In rare cases, a doctor may recommend blood thinners to bleed the clot out. If the chances of miscarriage are high, some doctors will use estrogen and progesterone to slow or prevent further hemorrhaging. When Pregnancy Bleeding Is a Medical Emergency 8 Sources Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Günay T, Yardımcı OD. How does subchorionic hematoma in the first trimester affect pregnancy outcomes? Arch Med Sci. 2021;18(3):639-646. doi:10.5114/aoms/113645 University of Michigan Health. Subchorionic hemorrhage. San Diego Perinatal Center. Subchorionic hematoma. Naert MN, Khadraoui H, Muniz Rodriguez A, et al. Association between first-trimester subchorionic hematomas and pregnancy loss in singleton pregnancies. Obstetrics. Asato K, Mekaru K, Heshiki C, et al. Subchorionic hematoma occurs more frequently in in vitro fertilization pregnancy. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. Oct 2014;181:41-4. doi:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2014.07.014 Amirkhani Z, Akhlaghdoust M, Abedian M, et al. Maternal and perinatal outcomes in pregnant women with first trimester vaginal bleeding. J Family Reprod Health. 2013;7(2):57-61. Tuuli MG, Norman SM, Odibo AO, Macones GA, Cahill AG. Perinatal outcomes in women with subchorionic hematoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Obstet Gynecol. 2011;117(5):1205-1212. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e31821568de Coomarasamy A, Devall AJ, Cheed V, et al. A randomized trial of progesterone in women with bleeding in early pregnancy. New England Journal of Medicine. 2019;380(19):1815-1824. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1813730 By Krissi Danielsson Krissi Danielsson, MD is a doctor of family medicine and an advocate for those who have experienced miscarriage. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit