spotting and bleeding in second trimester

[katrina47]

Wednesday night after going to the gym like i always  do and riding the stationary bike for 30 min on super low impact i had a slight pain in my stomach that went away and then there was blood in my panties. There was a bit of it. And It was bright red. I immediately went to the e.r. There they did an exam and the first dc said my cervix was dialated and they were going to do a circlage in the morning. Then my doc did an exam and said that my cervix was absolutely fine and so it could be my placenta is separating from the uterine wall. The u/s should that maybe it was but results were inconclusive. They sent me home because the bleeding has almost stopped, it's become brown spotting now and it's been some 36 hours since it first started bleeding but it's only when i wipe. I'm on bedrest until i can see a specialist on tuesday, and of course all this time is just allowing all the information to ruminate in my brain and it's freaking me out. I just was wondering if anyone had similar experiences? Have you had your placenta separate and still go on to have healthy babies? I'm 18 weeks and they said I can't deliver until 24 weeks (in order for my baby to survive) if i have to stay on bed rest for 6 weeks i will... do you think that will help? Anyone? Is there another explanation like perhaps i've broken a blood vessel while expanding??? Thanks ladies.

[waitingwithhope]

I have had partial placental abruption in two of my pregnancies. In one, it was quite bad (10cm tear) and in the other it was smaller. I was on strict bedrest and hospitalized for weeks as well with the first child, who was born a week early but still full term. However, due to the tears, he received less nutrients and was very tiny (around 4lbs). Other than that, he was completely fine. The other baby fared much better (smaller tear) and the tear actually completely healed itself with bedrest. This baby was born full term and at a healthy weight. The key is getting a good diagnosis (a very specific ultrasound that looks at the placenta and blood flow is important) and then being VERY strict on the bedrest. A tear can heal itself. Plus, you don't want to do any extra movement that jars the placenta away from the wall. If you had a full placental abruption, your baby would lose oxygen, you'd have to deliver immediately (I was told I had two minutes to deliver in this case) and you too would be at risk (I was told I could lose a lot of blood and that my life could be at risk too). I only say this to make sure that you take bedrest seriously.  Keep us posted with how things turn out, maybe it is not your placenta. And keep off your feet for sure (no heavy lifting, no exercise, nothing) until your appointment. All the best!

[adgal]

I have had bleeding on and off throughout my entire pregnancy (I am 28 weeks now).  I have a small tear in my placenta that seems to be the culprit.  I am not on bedrest or anything, but I am supposed to take it very easy.  Nothing strenuous, no walking distances, etc. etc.  I have been doing as told and the tear has not gotten any worse.  So far my baby is absolutely fine and I only have small episodes of spotting from time to time.  I would take it easy and continue to report any and all episodes of bleeding to your OB or go to L&D if its heavier then spotting.  Good luck.