Medically Reviewed By
Dr. Geetika Thakur
Consultant – Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Motherhood Chaitanya Hospital.
Bleeding during pregnancy can be scary and might even catch you off guard. To your surprise, it is, however, a common occurrence. According to a report, around 25% of women experience bleeding in early pregnancy or spotting during pregnancy and go on to deliver healthy babies.
Although common, it is important to take bleeding and spotting during pregnancy seriously. At times, bleeding can also indicate a miscarriage or a condition that might require immediate attention.
Make sure to call or consult your healthcare provider if you have persistent bleeding or spotting. There are high chances that it might not be a serious concern, however, it is always a good idea to find out what’s causing it.
What is the Difference Between Bleeding and Spotting?
Bleeding or spotting can occur at any stage during pregnancy, right from the time you get pregnant to just before the birth of your baby.
While vaginal bleeding in pregnancy refers to a heavy blood flow, spotting during pregnancy refers to light bleeding or a few drops on your underwear. Spotting during pregnancy is usually lighter than periods and might not even be apparent most of the time. On the other hand, you might require a panty liner or pad to soak the blood caused by vaginal bleeding.
Why Does It Happen?
Implantation bleeding is one of the common causes of spotting during pregnancy. It occurs when the fertilized egg attaches itself to the uterine lining. This can trigger light bleeding or spotting. Generally, this occurs way before you come to know that you are pregnant and may often be even mistaken as a pending period.
Another common cause of spotting is a cervical polyp. A cervical polyp refers to a harmless growth on the cervix. During pregnancy, your cervix sees an increased number of blood vessels in the tissue. Even mild contact with this area during this period may lead to bleeding.
Should I Worry About Spotting During Pregnancy?
In general, spotting during pregnancy is not expected by a lot of women. Although an abnormal event it is not always a cause of concern. It is still important to contact your gynecologist and discuss the symptoms that you are experiencing.
A little spotting during the first trimester is common and harmless. If you notice spotting or bleeding in the second or third trimester, it should immediately be reported.
What Causes Vaginal Bleeding?
Similar to spotting, vaginal bleeding during the first trimester is not a problem. It may be caused by:
- An infection.
- Sexual intercourse.
- Hormonal changes.
- A fertilized egg implants in the uterus.
Although first-trimester bleeding is harmless, it should still be reported to your healthcare provider. Sometimes this bleeding may also be caused by:
- A miscarriage.
- Ectopic pregnancy.
- Molar pregnancy.
- Development of blood clots between the amniotic sac and the wall of the womb.
What Should You Do If You Have Bleeding or Spotting During Pregnancy?
The first thing that you should do upon noticing even slight bleeding or spotting is call your healthcare provider. In addition to this:
- Monitor the amount of your bleeding. For instance, is it heavier or lighter? Or how many pads are you using?
- Check the colour of the blood. Your doctor may want to know if the colour of your blood is brown, dark, or bright red.
- Do not use a tampon or have sex when you are bleeding.
Make sure that you immediately reach out to your healthcare provider at any stage during pregnancy if you have:
- Dizziness along with bleeding.
- Heavy bleeding that does not stop.
- Bleeding with pain and cramps.
- Pain in your belly or pelvis.
What Causes Bleeding or Spotting Early in Pregnancy?
As mentioned earlier, it is normal for you to have bleeding or spotting early in pregnancy. Spotting during pregnancy 1st trimester is not usually a problem as it can be caused by:
- An infection.
- Implantation of a fertilised egg to the uterus lining.
- Sexual intercourse.
- Hormonal changes.
- Changes in your cervix.
- Some tests during pregnancy such as an amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling.
- Smoking.
Apart from the above, bleeding during early pregnancy may also be due to a miscarriage. Hence, you must pay close attention to your symptoms and consult your healthcare provider immediately.
What Causes Bleeding or Spotting Later in Pregnancy?
Bleeding or spotting in the 2nd or 3rd trimester may be caused by:
- Labour.
- Having sex.
- Internal examination by your healthcare provider.
- Some problems with your cervix include an infection, inflammation, growth, or cervical insufficiency.
Bleeding or spotting later in pregnancy can be alarming if it is caused by:
- Preterm labour: refers to the condition when the labour starts too early, before 37 weeks of pregnancy.
- Placenta previa: is a condition wherein the placenta lies very low in the uterus and covers all or some part of the cervix.
- Placenta accreta: is a condition wherein the placenta grows deeply into the wall of the uterus.
- Placenta abruption: is a condition wherein the placenta separates from the uterus wall before birth.
- Uterine rupture; is a condition wherein the uterus begins to tear during labour. This is a rare condition and may occur if you have a scar on your uterus from a prior C-section.
How are Bleeding and Spotting Treated?
When you visit your healthcare provider for bleeding or spotting during pregnancy, your doctor will conduct certain medical examinations and tests.
Usually, the treatment for bleeding or spotting would be adequate rest. In other cases, your doctor may suggest treatments including:
- Taking time off from work and not staying on your feet for long.
- Certain medications to protect your baby from Rh disease. Rh disease refers to a condition when your and your baby’s blood are not compatible. This causes serious problems and may even lead to the death of your baby.
- Restricting from sexual intercourse, tampons, or douche.
- Hospital stay or surgery in serious cases.
Vaginal bleeding after 12 weeks of pregnancy is a rare occurrence. If you notice any kind of bleeding or spotting after 12 weeks, reach out to us at Motherhood Chaitanya Hospital immediately and get yourself checked.
A small amount of blood from the bottom may be due to a small tear or piles which is also common during pregnancy. Some swelling in the area may cause itching, pain, and bleeding while having a bowel movement. Consult your gynaecologist if you notice persistent bleeding from the bottom.
If you notice anything other than blood coming out, consult your healthcare provider immediately.
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