Many moms-to-be experience bleeding while they are pregnant. In fact, the American Pregnancy Association says studies show that 20-30 percent of women experience some degree of bleeding during early pregnancy. But how do you know how much bleeding is normal and when it’s a cause for concern? It depends on how far along you are, and how severe the bleeding is. Show
First, know how to tell spotting from bleeding. Spotting is very light bleeding. It is common in the first trimester. The blood will be light brown or pink, similar to what you see at the end of a period. Bleeding is heavier. The blood is bright red and is more like the bleeding you experience when having your period. If you’re thinking about it, call your doctor. When to Call the DoctorDavid McKenna, MD, a Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialist with Perinatal Partners, advises calling your doctor if you see any sign of bleeding during pregnancy and have not yet talked to your doctor about it. This is especially the case for women who are pregnant for the first time. “Explain what’s happening to your doctor. Talk about your next steps and if – and when – you should call back,” he says. Why You May Bleed During PregnancyFirst Half of Pregnancy Heavier bleeding during the first trimester can also be a sign of a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. This bleeding doesn’t mean a miscarriage will occur, or that you have an ectopic pregnancy. About half of pregnant women who have bleeding do not miscarry. The most important thing you can do is to let you doctor know about any bleeding, so that you can evaluated for the cause. Second Half of Pregnancy
Be Prepared for These QuestionsIf you experience bleeding during pregnancy, be ready to answer these questions when you call or visit your doctor:
If you are asked to make an appointment, your doctor is likely to check your cervix with a speculum. You might have an ultrasound or other testing to help learn the cause of the bleeding. Many factors can cause spotting and bleeding during pregnancy. Because of that, it’s best to talk with your doctor if you have any bleeding. The bottom line is, if you’re thinking about it, call your doctor.“That’s what we’re here for,” says Dr. McKenna. It's easy to get the care you need.See a Premier Physician Network provider near you. Schedule Now Source: David S. McKenna, MD; Perinatal Partners; American Pregnancy Association; The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; Whattoexpect.com Bleeding during pregnancy is relatively common and does not always mean there's a problem – but it can be a dangerous sign. Urgent advice: Call your midwife or GP immediately if:
Causes of bleeding in early pregnancyImplantation bleedingIn early pregnancy, you might get some harmless light bleeding, called "spotting". This is when the developing embryo plants itself in the wall of your womb. This type of bleeding often happens around the time your period would have been due. Cervical changesPregnancy can cause changes to the cervix, and this may sometimes cause bleeding – after sex, for example. Miscarriage or ectopic pregnancyDuring the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, vaginal bleeding can be a sign of miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. However, if you bleed at this stage of pregnancy it's likely you will go on to have normal and successful pregnancies. Treating bleeding in early pregnancyYou may be offered a medicine called progesterone to stop bleeding in early pregnancy. This will only be recommended if you've had a scan to confirm you're pregnant and you've had a miscarriage before. Your doctor may recommend you take the medicine twice a day until you're 16 weeks pregnant. MiscarriageIf a pregnancy ends before the 24th week, it's called a miscarriage. Around 1 in 5 pregnancies ends this way. Many early miscarriages (before 14 weeks) happen because there is something wrong with the baby. There can also be other causes of miscarriage, such as hormone or blood clotting problems. Most miscarriages occur during the first 12 weeks (3 months) of pregnancy and, sadly, most cannot be prevented. Other symptoms of miscarriage include:
If you have bleeding or any of the symptoms above, contact your midwife or GP straightaway. Ectopic pregnancyAn ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilised egg implants outside the womb – for example, in the fallopian tube. It can cause bleeding and is dangerous because the fertilised egg cannot develop properly outside the womb. The egg has to be removed, which can be done through an operation or with medicines. Symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy tend to develop in the 6th week of pregnancy but can happen later. Other signs of ectopic pregnancy can include:
Call 111 if you have symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy. Causes of bleeding in later pregnancyCervical changesThese can lead to bleeding, particularly after sex. Vaginal infectionsYour midwife or doctor can discuss tests and treatment with you. A 'show'This is when the plug of mucus that has been in the cervix during pregnancy comes away, signalling that the cervix is getting ready for labour to start. It may happen a few days before contractions start or during labour itself. Find out about the signs of labour and what happens in labour. Placental abruptionThis is a serious condition in which the placenta starts to come away from the womb wall. Placental abruption usually causes stomach pain, and this may occur even if there is no bleeding. Low-lying placenta (placenta praevia)This is when the placenta is attached in the lower part of the womb, near to or covering the cervix. Bleeding from a low-lying placenta can be very heavy, and put you and your baby at risk. You may be advised to go into hospital for emergency treatment, and a caesarean section will usually be recommended. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has more information on placenta praevia. Vasa praeviaThis is a rare condition where the baby's blood vessels run through the membranes covering the cervix. When your waters break, these vessels may be torn and cause vaginal bleeding. The baby can lose a life-threatening amount of blood. Finding out the cause of bleeding in pregnancyTo work out what is causing the bleeding, you may need to have a vaginal or pelvic examination, an ultrasound scan or blood tests to check your hormone levels. Your doctor will also ask you about other symptoms, such as cramp, pain and dizziness. Sometimes it might not be possible to find out what caused the bleeding. If your symptoms are not severe and your baby is not due for a while, you'll be monitored and, in some cases, kept in hospital for observation. How long you need to stay in hospital depends on the cause of the bleeding and how many weeks pregnant you are. Being in hospital allows staff to keep an eye on you and your baby, so they can act quickly if there are further problems. Is red blood Normal at 7 weeks pregnant?During the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, vaginal bleeding can be a sign of miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. However, if you bleed at this stage of pregnancy it's likely you will go on to have normal and successful pregnancies.
Does bright red blood mean miscarriage?2 Vaginal bleeding that is bright red and gets heavier over time (rather than lighter) is more likely to indicate a miscarriage. Other signs of a miscarriage may include: Cramping: Lower abdominal cramping that's worse than your typical menstrual cycle. Discharge: Tissue, clots, or clumps in the blood.
Can you spot bright red blood and still be pregnant?However, bleeding is common during the first three months (12 weeks) of pregnancy and may or may not be a sign of a problem. It can range from slight brown spotting, to bright red bleeding, may last from a day to weeks and may be accompanied by mild cramping or low backache.
Can you have bright red blood without 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.
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