Nishmat's Women’s Health and HalachaIn memory of Chaya Mirel bat R' Avraham

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Subchorionic bleeding

13 September, 2006

Question:

I am 13 weeks pregnant and have been spotting. I was diagnosed with something called subchorionic bleeding and was told that the blood is coming from the maternal side of the placenta. Can you please tell me if that renders me in niddah?


Answer:

We’re sorry to hear of the complications you are facing and wish you a smooth pregnancy from now on.

In general, bleeding from the placenta is considered dam koshi, which could make you niddah, and not dam makkah, (bleeding from an injury, which does not).

If you saw blood exit your body, or if bleeding was accompanied by a halachically-defined hargashah, you are considered niddah. Otherwise, your status depends on the laws of stains. Please review our articles on stains and toilet paper, and get back to us with any questions.

If you are niddah, the process of becoming tehorah is the same during pregnancy as at other times. However, in your case, the bedikot can be done less deeply so they do not touch the cervix. You should gently insert the cloth until the first knuckle, concentrating more on going around carefully and less on going deeply. If you have difficulty getting clean bedikot, please ask a halachic question about reducing the number of bedikot.

This response was updated on 23 January, 2023.


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