Q&A: I have a blood blister on my placenta.

by Dr. Gerard M. DiLeo

When I was about 16 weeks pregnant, I took a fall down a flight of stairs. Two weeks later I had a routine ultrasound. At that time, they noticed what they called a blood blister on my placenta.

Just to make sure that it wasn't due to the fall, my doctor sent me for a Level II ultrasound. The ultrasound technician discarded that possibility because I have not had any spotting or pain, but the blister shows blood flow and they are going to keep an eye on it. The technician stated that they do see this on occasion, usually by or around the umbilical cord. They have no actual name for the blister, how it gets there or how this is going to affect my pregnancy at this time. I'm now twenty two weeks along.

Do you have any ideas as to what they are seeing? I know it may be difficult since you do not have the results... This is my third pregnancy. My first delivery was vaginal and my second was by C-section due to other circumstances.

I wanted to go natural again but don't know what to do, and I'm getting all nervous about having another C-Section. The first one went fine but I don't like the epidural, or the whole "under the knife" thing. Please help?

It sounds to me like the techincian is seeing a placental sinus (vein), since there seems to be blood flowing through it. This is normal and shouldn't impact your delivery plans.

If it truly is bleeding, as in a small abruption, it could lead to bleeding even before delivery. This is unlikely, because trauma that causes problems with the placenta usually progresses rapidly to an obvious conclusion.

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