Q: I am a 29 years old woman into my seventh month of pregnancy. Last week, I noticed a few blood drops while urinating. I got placental scanning done which showed a retro-placental clot of size 3.1 cm x 2.1 cm x 3.0 cm and closed internal os. The doctor asked me to take two days of complete bed rest. Is this a serious problem, and if so, what should be done? Can I travel by train during pregnancy?

A:I do not think there is anything to worry. One or two drops of blood which you noticed could have been from the cervix i.e. neck of the womb and has nothing to do with pregnancy / baby. I am not convinced that you have retro-placental clot, as this is more of a clinical diagnosis than an ultrasound based diagnosis. Your clinical symptoms do not suggest a retro-placental clot. (Retro-placental clot is a condition where there is blood clot behind the placenta). If you do not have any further bleeding or abdominal pain and if the baby is moving well, you do not need to do anything. Just follow your routine activity and take a normal healthy diet. Even if there was a small clot behind the placenta, there is nothing you can do to get rid of it. Most often, it resolves spontaneously. The length of the cervix appears normal and it is reassuring to know that the internal os is closed. However, if you get any further bleeding, pain or have any other concerns you must see your obstetrician immediately. It is difficult to advise on undertaking train journey as it is not clear from your question if you are talking about a long distance journey, short journey or local trains in Mumbai?