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What Complications Arise With A Placenta Hematoma?
Question: I had a significant amount of bleeding around 14 weeks pregnant and was told it was a Subchorionic Hematoma. At my 20 week ultrasound a large placental lake was discovered (lake appears approx. 1/4 of placenta). Placenta is anterior. Baby is growing fine and measuring on track with a strong heartbeat. What are the risks and complications associated with such a large placental lake? Is there anything I should be aware of? Would bed rest make any significant difference? Is there any medication that can help the situation? How likely is it that the placental lake will continue to grow in size?
Brief Answer:
See below!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
The main complication with a placenta hematoma(lake) is that it reduces the amount of space available for exchange of nutrients and waste. This in the long run would impact on the growth of the fetus. This would most likely cause what is called fetal growth retardation. From the information you have provided, the baby seems on track and this is good news. It means that there is no real threat at this time to the nutrition and all is well. Serial monitoring with ultrasound would be able to tell whether there is something more that needs to be addressed if the parameters are no longer in line.
The hematoma stops growing in size when the leak stops. In most cases, this is a spontaneous process. There is no medication that can help with this process. Bed rest per se would not make any huge change. However, resting and keeping away fro very strenuous exercises during pregnancy is always advised.
In all, there is nothing that can be done. Monitoring is key and unless an identified direct cause is diagnosed which you have not mentioned, there is no real fix. Main complications would include retarded growth and possible premature delivery.
I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thank you so much for using our services and feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be. I wish you an event free pregnancy and a safe delivery.
See below!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
The main complication with a placenta hematoma(lake) is that it reduces the amount of space available for exchange of nutrients and waste. This in the long run would impact on the growth of the fetus. This would most likely cause what is called fetal growth retardation. From the information you have provided, the baby seems on track and this is good news. It means that there is no real threat at this time to the nutrition and all is well. Serial monitoring with ultrasound would be able to tell whether there is something more that needs to be addressed if the parameters are no longer in line.
The hematoma stops growing in size when the leak stops. In most cases, this is a spontaneous process. There is no medication that can help with this process. Bed rest per se would not make any huge change. However, resting and keeping away fro very strenuous exercises during pregnancy is always advised.
In all, there is nothing that can be done. Monitoring is key and unless an identified direct cause is diagnosed which you have not mentioned, there is no real fix. Main complications would include retarded growth and possible premature delivery.
I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thank you so much for using our services and feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be. I wish you an event free pregnancy and a safe delivery.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you. Is it typical for a lake of this size to resolve itself or should I expect it to continue getting larger?
Brief Answer:
See below
Detailed Answer:
HI and thanks for following up with me.
It would be unlikely for a big size lake to resolve all by itself. However, I will not expect it to grow any bigger unless there is continued bleeding. This is rarely the case. Should this happen, the ultrasound would be able to pick this up and prompt further investigations. Do you have any other disease condition like hypertension? This could be a worsening as well as provoking factor.
I wish you well. Keep me posted and let me know if there is anything more I should b doing at this time.
See below
Detailed Answer:
HI and thanks for following up with me.
It would be unlikely for a big size lake to resolve all by itself. However, I will not expect it to grow any bigger unless there is continued bleeding. This is rarely the case. Should this happen, the ultrasound would be able to pick this up and prompt further investigations. Do you have any other disease condition like hypertension? This could be a worsening as well as provoking factor.
I wish you well. Keep me posted and let me know if there is anything more I should b doing at this time.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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