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Childbirth/6weeks pregnant and bleeding

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Expert: - 8/31/2008


Question
"I have a cyst on my left ovarie and I am pregnant. I have been spotting in the beginning of my pregnancy and my blood count was 840. One week after it jumped to 7457. I was shocked cause I thought i lost my baby cause I was bleeding like if I was having my period. It has been 5 days and am still bleeding a lot. We did a sonogram and everything is fine. What can be causing the bleeding. I have bad back pain, and I feel bloated. Please help! Thanks"


Answer
Tatiana,

It sounds like it may be a subchorionic bleed (or hematoma), which is typically a harmless condition that occurs when a blood vessel in the uterus ruptures and causes blood to pool around the sac.  The placenta can pull away slightly from the uterus causing the blood clot and bleeding.

You may bleed bright red/pink blood just like a period, but the baby is not typically affected.  It can last for days or even weeks.


In most cases, it resolves on its own.  Your doctor may prescribe no heavy lifting, limited exercise, complete pelvic rest and/or bed rest if the bleed is significant.  An ultrasound can usually detect the location and size of the bleed.


The back pain and bloated feeling are common early pregnancy symptoms and shouldn't be something to worry about.


So, try and take it easy and the odds are with you that the bleed should resolve on its own.  



Best,
Catherine

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Catherine Beier MS CBE

Expertise

I can provide evidence-based information and current research findings concerning childbirth and pregnancy. My specializations include natural childbirth, pregnancy and birth interventions, fetal positioning, labor induction, choosing a care provider, midwives, homebirth, unassisted birth, natural pain relief, medications in pregnancy and birth, informed consent, understanding the risks and benefits of childbirth choices, doulas, waterbirth, childbirth methods, childbirth education classes, cesarean section, and VBAC.

Experience

I have been a childbirth educator, mother, author, public speaker, researcher, and birth advocate for the past 9 years. I am also the author of Giving Birth Naturally, a site dedicated to natural childbirth and pregnancy information. I publish evidence-based articles on pregnancy, childbirth, newborn care, and post-partum care. I'm also a mother of three children, two daughters and one son all born naturally. To learn more about what normal birth looks like, view the natural childbirth video of my son being born at home unassisted.

Publications
My book, Birth Outside the Box, was published in 2007.

Education/Credentials
I hold a Master's degree in communication disorders with an emphasis in child development. I am also an independent childbirth educator.

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