* Trigger Warning: loss
How bleeding, heartbreak, and resilience shaped my IVF journey
When you’re finally pregnant after IVF, the last thing you want to hear is that something could be wrong. I still remember the fear, the spiraling, the desperate Googling. That’s the reality many of us in the IVF community face when we hear three letters: SCH — subchorionic hematoma.
What is a Subchorionic Hematoma?
A subchorionic hematoma (SCH) is a collection of blood between the uterine wall and the chorionic membrane, which can cause spotting or bleeding in early pregnancy. While they can sound alarming, they’re surprisingly common — especially in pregnancies following frozen embryo transfers (FETs). Research suggests that SCHs are more prevalent in FETs due to the way hormone support is given in these cycles. With a natural pregnancy, the body gradually builds progesterone; in a medicated FET cycle, hormones are delivered externally and sometimes abruptly withdrawn if there’s a suspected loss — a combination that might play a role in the formation or worsening of SCH.
My First IVF Pregnancy: Fear and Bed Rest
During my first IVF pregnancy, I was diagnosed with a 1.7 cm SCH. Small on paper, but to me, it felt like a ticking time bomb. I panicked. I spiraled. I truly thought I was going to lose my miracle baby. I took time off from work and laid low, doing everything I could to protect the little life growing inside me.
By the time I hit 10 weeks, the SCH had resolved. But then came another curveball — an echogenic bowel showed up on our daughter’s ultrasound. We were told it could be a marker for certain conditions, but we already knew from our embryo testing that she didn’t carry any of those concerns. It turned out she had swallowed the blood from the hematoma, and that’s what showed up on the scan.
My Second Pregnancy: Heartbreak and Confusion
My next pregnancy ended in miscarriage. I had another SCH and would bleed with exertion. I remember being at a photoshoot for a baptism when intense cramping hit, followed by heavy bleeding. Somehow, the baby still held on — for a while.
I went straight to my fertility clinic after that episode, and my doctor determined there was no heartbeat. She told me it was a miscarriage due to the hematoma, sent me home, and scheduled a D&C for a few days later. But when I returned for the procedure, there was faint cardiac activity. Unfortunately, I had already been instructed to stop all of my medications a week earlier. We’ll never know if that embryo had a real chance or if it failed simply because it no longer had the hormonal support it needed — a heartbreaking mystery But one that was meant to be as my third FET resulted in my identical twin boys. A double blessing from a single frozen embryo transfer.
My Twin Pregnancy: Finally, a Break
When I became pregnant with my twins — again through IVF — I braced myself for more SCH drama. But this time, it never came. No hematoma. No bleeding. Just cautious optimism week after week. It was a gift I didn’t take for granted.
Why Doula Support Matters
Looking back, I truly believe that if I had a doula to walk me through the IVF process from the start, I would have been better prepared. I wouldn’t have been as shocked or overwhelmed by the SCH diagnosis. Doctors don’t always have the time to explain every common risk, but I’m the kind of person who needs to talk things out — to process emotionally and practically with someone who understands the journey. Having that kind of support could’ve made all the difference in how I handled the stress, the uncertainty, and the decisions I had to make along the way.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been diagnosed with a subchorionic hematoma during your IVF pregnancy, please know this: You are not alone, and a diagnosis doesn’t mean the end. Many SCHs resolve on their own, and many babies go on to thrive. That said, always advocate for yourself. Ask questions. Push for monitoring. And if something feels off, speak up.
IVF is a wild ride, full of uncertainty, resilience, and hope. SCHs may be part of the story — but they aren’t the whole story.
With love and solidarity,
