facebook

Understanding Bleeding During Pregnancy and What It Means for IVF Patients

 

If you're experiencing bleeding during pregnancy and are feeling anxious, you’re not alone. In this video, Dr. Malpani, an IVF specialist with over 30 years of experience at the Malpani Clinic, breaks down why bleeding occurs during pregnancy, what it means, and how to manage it effectively. Let’s debunk common myths and help you navigate this experience with confidence.

Bleeding in IVF Pregnancies

Many pregnancies, including those conceived through IVF, can experience bleeding—actually, about 10% of all pregnancies.

While bleeding during a natural pregnancy may be seen as a minor concern, bleeding in an IVF pregnancy can feel alarming and lead to significant anxiety. Patients often worry about losing their pregnancy, but it’s important to know that bleeding isn’t necessarily a sign of miscarriage.

Why Bleeding Occurs and What It Means
  1. Unidentified Causes: Often, we can’t pinpoint the exact reason for bleeding. The important thing is that it typically isn’t coming from the baby but rather from the mother—whether the uterus, placental site, or another location. This type of bleeding is called “threatened abortion,” meaning it poses a potential risk, which is why we monitor it closely.
  2. Excessive Bleeding Concerns: In cases of heavy bleeding, the uterus may become irritated, causing contractions that could result in miscarriage. That’s why we take bleeding seriously, even though we can’t always determine its origin.
What to Remember if You Experience Bleeding

  1. The odds are in your favour:

    50% of women who experience bleeding go on to have completely healthy babies. Often, the bleeding stops without any explanation, and these babies are born just fine. So, remember, the odds are usually in your favour.

  2. Bright red blood and brown discharge:

    Bright red blood may seem alarming, but even after it stops, you may notice a brownish or black discharge. Don’t be scared. This “old blood” is not a sign of anything harmful; it’s simply blood that has collected and changed colour in the acidic environment of the vagina.

  3. When Should You Worry?

    You only need to be concerned if bleeding is accompanied by contractions or pain, as this could indicate irritation in the uterus.

What Can You Do?

  1. Stay Calm:

    Bleeding doesn’t automatically mean you’ll miscarry. Continue taking all prescribed medications and inform your doctor. Additional medications, like hormonal support or anti-fibrinolytic agents (such as Pause), may be prescribed to reduce bleeding.

  2. Bed Rest:

    Although the impact of bed rest is not proven, it can help psychologically by reassuring you that you're doing everything possible.

  3. Ultrasound for Reassurance:

    An ultrasound scan showing a beating foetal heart indicates a healthy pregnancy. If you see this, your baby is likely doing well. Repeat ultrasounds can help keep your anxiety in check.

  4. Subchorionic Haematoma:

    Sometimes, a small blood collection under the placenta, called a subchorionic haemostasis, will appear during a scan. This clot usually reabsorbs naturally or passes without affecting the baby.

Avoiding unnecessary treatments

Some doctors may overprescribe medications for bleeding, such as painful progesterone injections. While progesterone is safe, vaginal progesterone can be just as effective without causing pain. Often, nature will heal the body, regardless of added medication.

Conclusion

Bleeding during pregnancy can be frightening, especially for IVF patients. However, in most cases, it does not mean a miscarriage is inevitable. Finding a compassionate doctor who provides quality care and reassurance can make all the difference. Dr. Malpani encourages you to reach out for a free second opinion on any concerns. If you need support, he is just an email away and is dedicated to helping you on your journey to a healthy pregnancy.

To learn more, visit www.drmalpani.com. We’re here to support you every step of the way.

drmalpani