6 weeks pregnant and bleeding like a period

During pregnancy, your body changes. A lot. And in early pregnancy, you may deal with some pretty substantial hormonal shifts. Between mood swings, exhaustion and morning sickness, you might not feel your best. But there’s another symptom that can happen in early pregnancy that you might not be thinking about — bleeding or spotting. 

“Bleeding in early pregnancy happens to 20 to 40% of women,” says Deidre Heber, DO, OB-GYN at Geisinger. “Most of the time, it’s nothing to worry about.”

Potential causes of first trimester bleeding 

Bleeding during the first trimester can look different for everyone. The amount can range from light to heavy. For some, it can be intermittent. Others may have more constant bleeding or spotting. And it may or may not be painful. 

Here are a few things that might be behind it.

Implantation bleeding

Early in pregnancy (sometimes before you know you’re pregnant), you may have some spotting when your period is due. This common occurrence is called implantation bleeding. “It happens between 6 and 12 days after conception as the fertilized egg implants into your uterus,” Dr. Heber says. This bleeding is typically light and may last for a few days.

Cervical changes

During pregnancy, there’s increased blood flow to your cervix. Having sex or getting a Pap smear, which cause contact with the cervix, can trigger light bleeding. Other cervical changes that can trigger bleeding include: 

• Polyps
• Minor infections
• Cervical ectropion (when cells from the inside of the cervix move to the outside)

Hormones

In the early weeks of pregnancy, your body starts making the hormones you need to sustain a pregnancy. This change can cause your progestin levels to drop. That drop may lead to spotting or light bleeding.

Miscarriage

Since miscarriages are most common during the first trimester, worrying about bleeding is normal. Light bleeding or spotting doesn’t automatically mean you’re miscarrying. But if your bleeding is heavy, bright red or you’re passing clots and in pain, contact your healthcare provider. They can explain next steps.

Most women who miscarry go on to have healthy pregnancies. But having a miscarriage is a loss that families may need help handling. Don’t rush the grieving process, and find a support group or counselor if you feel you need it.

Ectopic pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy happens when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, like in your fallopian tube. When that happens, it can lead to heavy bleeding, pain and other serious symptoms. “An ectopic pregnancy is an emergency,” says Dr. Heber. “If you have symptoms, contact your provider immediately.”

When to call the doctor about bleeding

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you have any of these symptoms:

• Severe pain or cramps low in the abdomen
• Severe bleeding, soaking greater than one heavy pad per hour, with or without pain
• Passage of blood clots or tissue
• Dizziness or fainting
• Chills
• Fever higher than 100.4° F

If you’re pregnant and bleeding heavily, don’t use a tampon. Wear a pad instead. “Doctors need to know how much you’re bleeding to gauge the severity,” says Dr. Heber.

And if you’re passing tissue, consider bringing it in for testing.

Your doctor may use an ultrasound to determine the cause of your bleeding. Once they find the cause, they’ll work with you on a treatment plan.

Healthy parent, healthy baby

Building good habits now can help you have the healthiest pregnancy possible. Dr. Heber makes these suggestions to help you (and your baby) feel your best.

• Eat a nutritious, well-balanced diet
• Exercise regularly
• Avoid alcohol, recreational drugs and cigarettes
• Reduce caffeine intake to 1-2 cups a day
• Attend regular prenatal visits
• Take your prenatal vitamins

Next steps:

Meet Deidre Heber, DO
Learn about pregnancy care at Geisinger
Separating fact from fiction: 6 pregnancy myths

Story by Jessica, 

So about a month ago I had started feeling different and had some very light dark spotting and knew my period was late. I took 3 pregnancy tests and sure enough all were positive. My boyfriend and I have been together 6 years and had been trying for about a year.

When he and I first got together I had an abortion because he was struggling with addiction and neither of us were in any position to raise a child.

This time was like fate...he has been sober and things were looking up for us.

I was very excited to be pregnant

The excitement I felt was indescribable especially since my best friend was also pregnant. I immediately made a doctor's appointment and got another positive test. And they checked my HCG levels.

At this point nothing could've brought me down, even the spotting I had been getting. They told me I was roughly 6 weeks and to just keep an eye on the bleeding. 

But a couple days later it got heavier and so my doctor advised me to go to Emergency.

I went to Emergency

They did a pelvic and internal and external ultrasound. Then ty sent me home telling me not to worry. My cervix was closed and the bleeding would probably subside. I should just take it kind of easy. My HCG had risen to 1690 and they said I should come back if anything got worse. I

I followed up with my doctor 2 days later to get my levels checked again, then while waiting for the results the next day I lay down for a nap.

When I got up I was cramping and my pad was almost soaked with blood. I started to freak out crying and called my doctro who told me to again go on to Emergency again.

They told me it was inevitable I would miscarry

I hit my knees and prayed hard for my baby to be OK. They tested my HCG and it showed my levels weren't rising. With the heavy bleeding, cramping and the HCG levels not rising, they told me it was pretty much inevitable that I would miscarry.

I fell to pieces but I wanted to wait to see my doctor the following Monday. This was on a Friday.

I did everything to soothe myself but then as I got into bed that night the miscarriage started. The cramps were unbelievable and I was bleeding so badly. I could feel it when I passed the sac. It was horrible. I sat on the toilet the next hour broken and just cried every tear I had. The worst was the emptiness and shame I felt.

I am still dealing with the emotional part - and some of the physical given that all this happened about 2 weeks ago.

I'm still trying to pick up the pieces

I'm trying to pick up the pieces and move on but every baby I see, every pregnant woman I see, just everything baby or pregnancy related hurts like nothing else.

We had chosen not to tell anyone except a couple close friends so I went right back to work and had to pretend nothing happened.

I advise anyone to NOT DO THIS. Going back to work after a miscarriage is such a painful experience. I found myself locked in the bathroom multiple times a day trying to fight the crying episodes, trying to hide the cramping. It was so hard to just not fall to pieces.

Support is everything during a time like this. My boyfriend has been amazing through it but I should've told at least my mum. 

Was my miscarriage a punishment?

I just felt like God was punishing me for my decision all those years ago but I have learned that it happens. It's nothing I should blame anyone for especially not God or myself for anyone out there going through this my whole heart is with you completely.

Talk it out, feel it because pushing it away is not dealing with it but number one to remember is it is NOT YOUR FAULT!!

Stay strong ladies and may faith and love be with you.

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