Subchorionic Hematoma: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Home/Health Library/Symptoms/Subchorionic HematomaAdvertisementAdvertisementSubchorionic HematomaMedically Reviewed.Last updated on 02/23/2026.

A subchorionic hematoma occurs when blood collects under the chorion membrane during pregnancy. This membrane attaches your uterine wall to the fetus’s amniotic sac. The most common symptom is vaginal bleeding. But some people don’t have symptoms. Most subchorionic membranes go away on their own without causing pregnancy complications.

Advertisement

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

Care at Cleveland ClinicOb/Gyn CareFind a Doctor and SpecialistsMake an AppointmentContentsArrow DownWhat Is a Subchorionic Hematoma?Symptoms and CausesDiagnosis and TestsManagement and TreatmentOutlook / PrognosisContentsArrow DownWhat Is a Subchorionic Hematoma?Symptoms and CausesDiagnosis and TestsManagement and TreatmentOutlook / Prognosis

What Is a Subchorionic Hematoma?

Image content: This image is available to view online.

View image online (https://my.clevelandclinic.org/-/scassets/images/org/health/articles/23511-subchorionic-hematoma)

A subchorionic hematoma happens when blood forms between the wall of your uterus and the chorionic membrane during pregnancy. The chorionic membrane is the outermost layer of the pregnancy sac. The amniotic sac, or the bag of waters, is where the fetus develops. It has two layers: the chorion and the amnion.

Advertisement

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

This condition can be associated with vaginal bleeding (subchorionic hemorrhage). It’s the most common finding associated with vaginal bleeding during 10 to 20 weeks of pregnancy. But some women have no symptoms.

Some hematomas may increase the risk of certain pregnancy complications. But many go away without treatment and don’t cause issues. Your healthcare provider will recommend a plan for follow-up after assessing the hematoma.

Symptoms and Causes

Symptoms of subchorionic hematoma

The most common symptom of a subchorionic hematoma (hemorrhage) is vaginal bleeding in the first half of pregnancy. The bleeding may:

• Be heavy with clotting
• Be light spotting
• Happen alongside pelvic cramping (rare)

The majority of people have no bleeding at all. They learn about the hematoma during a routine ultrasound.

Contact your provider immediately if you have any bleeding during pregnancy. Finding the cause of it as early as possible is key.

Subchorionic hematoma causes

A subchorionic hematoma happens when the chorion membrane detaches from the wall of your uterus. This detachment from the uterine wall can be small or large.

Healthcare providers aren’t entirely sure what causes this separation to occur. But certain conditions may put you at a higher risk of developing a subchorionic hematoma, including:

Advertisement

• Autoimmune conditions, especially antiphospholipid syndrome
• Blood clotting disorders
• High blood pressure
• History of pelvic infections
• IVF pregnancy
• Recurrent miscarriages
• Uterine irregularities

Complications of this condition

Subchorionic bleeding may increase your chances of pregnancy complications. Some of the possible complications are:

• Excess vaginal bleeding
• Miscarriage
• Placental abruption

Many subchorionic hematomas don’t cause complications. Your healthcare provider will evaluate your hematoma and determine if treatment is necessary. They base this on several factors, including the size of the hematoma and the stage of pregnancy.

Diagnosis and Tests

How doctors diagnose this condition

An ultrasound is the main way healthcare providers diagnose a subchorionic hematoma. It looks like a crescent-shaped collection of blood. You’ll have a belly ultrasound or a transvaginal one.

You may get this ultrasound if you have vaginal bleeding. Or your provider may find a hematoma during a routine prenatal ultrasound.

If you have vaginal bleeding, your provider will do other tests or exams to check for complications. For example, they may do a pelvic exam to assess your cervix. They may also check the fetal heart rate.

Management and Treatment

How is it treated?

Many subchorionic hematomas will heal on their own over time, just as a cut on your skin would. Your healthcare provider will evaluate your symptoms and review your health history. They’ll come up with a treatment plan based on the size and location of the hematoma and the fetus’s gestational age.

Your provider may recommend:

• Reduction in activities, like exercise and lifting heavy objects
• Avoiding sex
• Follow-up ultrasounds to assess its size
• Monitoring symptoms that suggest early labor, like contractions and cramping
• Hospitalization
• Anti-D immune globulin if you have a negative blood type (are RhD-negative)

When should I see my healthcare provider?

If you have a subchorionic hematoma diagnosis, contact your healthcare provider if:

• There are changes in your symptoms
• The amount of bleeding increases
• You have contractions or cramping
• You feel dizzy or lightheaded

Care at Cleveland ClinicOb/Gyn CareFind a Doctor and SpecialistsMake an Appointment

Outlook / Prognosis

How long do subchorionic hematomas last?

There’s no set amount of time for how long it takes a subchorionic hematoma to heal. In some cases, it’ll shrink in size on its own over a few weeks without causing any complications. Other times, the hematoma can be large and require extra medical care. Your healthcare provider may be able to provide more insight.

Is having a subchorionic hematoma considered a high-risk pregnancy?

It depends on how severe the hematoma is and whether you have other medical conditions. If your bleeding is excessive or the hematoma is large, your provider will likely consider your pregnancy high risk. But small hematomas with minimal bleeding rarely pose a problem.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Any amount of bleeding during pregnancy can cause worry. That’s why your pregnancy care provider is your go-to for care. They can see if the bleeding is due to a subchorionic hemorrhage, which is common. Lean on your provider for guidance. They can let you know if you need follow-up care or if the hematoma will likely go away on its own.

Advertisement

Better health starts here

Sign up for our Health Essentials emails for expert guidance on nutrition, fitness, sleep, skin care and more.

Example emailSign upSign upExample email

Experts You Can Trust

Medically Reviewed.Last updated on 02/23/2026.

Learn more about the Health Library and our editorial process.

References

Cleveland Clinic’s health articles are based on evidence-backed information and review by medical professionals to ensure accuracy, reliability and up-to-date clinical standards.

View Sources

Medically Reviewed.Last updated on 02/23/2026.

References

Cleveland Clinic’s health articles are based on evidence-backed information and review by medical professionals to ensure accuracy, reliability and up-to-date clinical standards.

• Bondick CP, Das JM, Fertel H. Subchorionic Hemorrhage (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559017/). 2023 Jul 31. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan. Accessed 2/16/2026.
• Xu T, Lun W, He Y. Subchorionic hematoma: Research status and pathogenesis (Review) (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38362561/). Med Int (Lond). 2024 Jan;4(2):10. Accessed 2/16/2026.
• Yan X, Xu H, Li J, Xu Z, Niu Y, Wang Y. Subchorionic hematoma and risk of preterm delivery: a systematic review and meta-analysis (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36328350/). Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM. 2023;5(1):100791. Accessed 2/16/2026.

Care at Cleveland Clinic

From routine pelvic exams to high-risk pregnancies, Cleveland Clinic’s Ob/Gyns are here for you at any point in life.

Ob/Gyn CareFind a Doctor and SpecialistsMake an AppointmentAdvertisementAdvertisementAdAppointments 216.444.6601Appointments & LocationsRequest an Appointment