What To Do When Your Pregnant And You Bleed

How Do I Know If I’m Miscarrying

Symptoms of a miscarriage The main sign of a miscarriage is vaginal bleeding, which may be followed by cramping and pain in your lower abdomen. If you have vaginal bleeding, contact a GP or your midwife. Most GPs can refer you to an early pregnancy unit at your local hospital straight away if necessary.

How Is Pain And Bleeding In Early Pregnancy Treated

Treatment depends on your test results and the cause of your symptoms. Your midwife or GP will decide and let you know whats next based on the results of your tests. If you are having a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, treatment will focus on the condition. Read more about treatment of miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy. If you are having heavy bleeding and are unwell, you will need to be admitted to the hospital for emergency care. If your symptoms are not severe, you may be kept in the hospital for observation for a short period of time. If your test results are inconclusive, you will be asked to go back to the hospital for a follow-up in the next few days for repeat scans and blood tests.

You May Like: What Can I Eat While Pregnant App

What Are The Most Common Causes Of Bleeding In The First Trimester

Bleeding or spotting in the first trimester can be common and doesnt always mean there is something wrong. Try not to worry. Take notes of the type of bleeding you see and call your healthcare provider to let them know your symptoms.

Some causes of bleeding in the first part of pregnancy are:

• Implantation bleeding: This is when the fertilized egg implants in the wall of your uterus and causes light bleeding. Its considered a normal part of early pregnancy.
• Molar pregnancy: A rare condition when a fertilized egg implants in your uterus, but a tumor forms instead of a fetus.
• Ectopic pregnancy: When a pregnancy forms outside of your uterus . It can be life-threatening.
• Subchorionic hematoma: Bleeding from one of the membranes that surround the embryo inside your uterus. Subchorionic hematomas usually resolve on their own.
• Cervical polyps: A noncancerous growth on your cervix that bleeds in pregnancy due to increased estrogen levels.
• Miscarriage: The loss of the pregnancy before 20 weeks. It usually starts as light bleeding and gets heavier. It can be accompanied by severe cramping.

Read Also: When Can I Find Out If I Am Pregnant

Bleeding From The Placenta

A vaginal bleed without pain might be caused by an abnormally placed placenta. Its quite common to have a low-lying placenta in early pregnancy.

Usually, by the third trimester, the placenta will have moved up as the uterus grows and is further away from the cervix. Sometimes, though, this doesnt happen.

Here are three different placental problems that can result in a vaginal bleed:

Placenta previa

Placenta previa will usually result in a vaginal bleed at some point in your pregnancy usually after the 20-week mark.

There are different degrees of severity, but all cases of placenta previa require repeat ultrasounds for an accurate diagnosis.

If you have a placenta previa, to prevent risk to your baby, your doctor might recommend bed rest, induction, or c-section if the placenta remains over or too close to the cervix.

This article about placenta previa has more information.

Placental abruption

Another cause of vaginal bleeding later in pregnancies is placental abruption. This is where the placenta partially or completely separates from the wall of the uterus.

Symptoms include severe pain and bleeding.

The blood might be visible or remain in the uterus, which will be tense, tight, hard to the touch and very painful.

Contact your doctor or health care professional if you have any of these symptoms and go immediately to your nearest emergency department.

Depending on the severity of the bleeding, you might be recommended bed rest, an induction, or even a c-section.

Why Am I Bleeding After Sex

Youâve just finished having sex with your partner, when you look down and see blood on the sheets. You donât have your period and arenât supposed to get it anytime soon, so what gives?

While vaginal bleeding after sex can be scary, itâs also fairly common. It affects up to 9% of menstruating women. Thereâs probably no cause for concern. But it can also result from an infection. In rare cases, it’s a sign of cervical cancer.

Recommended Reading: How To Get Insurance While Pregnant

Treatment Of Early Miscarriage

Not all miscarriages need treatment. The choice of whether to wait for the pregnancy to completely pass without any treatment is up to you. Our doctors are committed to providing options for all patients, including the pros and cons of all available options when miscarriage is diagnosed. All patients with Rh-negative blood, regardless of which option they choose, need treatment with Rh-immune globulin, an injection that prevents a woman from forming substances in her blood that may attack the baby during a future pregnancy.

When a diagnosis of miscarriage is made, options include:

• Expectant management: This means that you will not receive any treatment just continued follow-up. In an early miscarriage, with time, most women will pass the pregnancy completely. The main issue is timethere is no way to predict exactly when this will occur. You will typically have heavy bleeding and severe abdominal cramping when the pregnancy does pass. Should you want this option, our doctors can review exactly what to expect, how much bleeding is too much bleeding, and what pain medications can be used once the pregnancy begins to pass from the uterus.

You may choose to have the procedure in the office or operating room based on your preferences different women have different needs.Office procedure:

What Are The Common Reasons For Bleeding In The First Half Of Pregnancy

Since bleeding that occurs in the first half of pregnancy is so common, many wonder what the causes are besides some of the complications already mentioned.Bleeding can occur in early pregnancydue to the following factors:

• Implantation bleeding can occur anywhere from 6-12 days after possible conception. Every woman will experience implantation bleeding differentlysome will lightly spot for a few hours, while others may have some light spotting for a couple of days.
• Some type of infection in the pelvic cavity or urinary tract may cause bleeding.
• After intercourse, some women may bleed, because the cervix is very tender and sensitive. You should discontinue intercourse until you have been seen by your doctor. This is to prevent any further irritationhaving normal sexual intercourse does not cause a miscarriage.

Also Check: When Can You Get Pregnant Calendar

First Half Of Pregnancy:

Miscarriage: Bleeding can be a sign of miscarriage, but does not mean that miscarriage is imminent. Studies show that anywhere from 20-30% of women experience some degree of bleeding in early pregnancy. Approximately half of the pregnant women who bleed do not have miscarriages. Approximately 15-20% of all pregnancies result in a miscarriage, and the majority occur during the first 12 weeks.Signs of Miscarriage include:

• Cramping pain felt low in the stomach

Most miscarriages cannot be prevented. They are often the bodys way of dealing with an unhealthy pregnancy that was not developing. A miscarriage does not mean that you cannot have a future healthy pregnancy or that you yourself are not healthy.

Ectopic pregnancies are pregnancies that implant somewhere outside the uterus. The fallopian tube accounts for the majority of ectopic pregnancies. Ectopic pregnancies are less common than miscarriages, occurring in 1 of 60 pregnancies.Signs of Ectopic Pregnancies:

• Grape-like clusters are seen in the uterus by an ultrasound

Second Half Of Pregnancy:

Common conditions of minor bleeding include an inflamed cervix or growths on the cervix. Late bleeding may pose a threat to the health of the woman or the fetus. Contact your health care provider if you experience any type of bleeding in the second or third trimester of your pregnancy.

Vaginal bleeding may be caused by the placenta detaching from the uterine wall before or during labor. Only 1% of pregnant women have this problem, and it usually occurs during the last 12 weeks of pregnancy.Signs of Placental Abruption:

Read Also: What Are The Risks Of Smoking While Pregnant

Intercourse Or A Physical Exam

Speaking of pelvic exams, keep in mind that anything that might poke at or near the cervix can also irritate it and cause bleeding. Yes, this includes sex! This happens because pregnancy hormones may make your cervix along with many other things more sensitive than normal.

You might see bright red blood on your underwear shortly after sex or a physical checkup. Dont fret! The bleeding usually happens once and then goes away on its own.

Preventing Bleeding After Sex

You can make some lifestyle changes to lower your risk of bleeding after sex:

• Use a lubricant before and during sex
• Wait a bit longer after your period ends to start having sex again.
• Have your doctor remove any cervical polyps or treat cervical infections.
• Have more foreplay before penetration
• Try less aggressive sex

Show Sources

Mayo Clinic: âVaginal bleeding after sex: Definition,â âVaginal bleeding after sex: Causes,â âChlamydia: Symptoms,â “Gonorrhea: Symptoms and causes,â âVaginal bleeding after sex: When to see a doctor,â âChlamydia: Treatments and drugs,â âColposcopy: What you can expect,â âColposcopy: Definition.â

Obstetrics and Gynecology International: âPostcoital Bleeding: A Review on Etiology, Diagnosis, and Management,â âVaginal dryness after menopause: How to treat it.â

Harvard Medical School: âCervical Polyps.â

ACOG: The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: âFAQs: Perimenopausal Bleeding and Bleeding After Menopause,â âFAQs: Cervical Cancer,â âFAQs: Bleeding During Pregnancy.â

American Cancer Society: âCervical Cancer,â âCervical Cancer: Signs and Symptoms of Cervical Cancer.â

CDC Publication: âCervical Cancer.â

National Health Service : âWhat causes a woman to bleed after sex?â

Cleveland Clinic: âDo You Bleed After Sex? When to See a Doctor.â

HealthyWomen: âBleeding After Sex: Should You Be Concerned?â

RagiologyInfo.org: âAbnormal Vaginal Bleeding.â

Also Check: Is It Ok To Take Prenatal Vitamins If Not Pregnant

Typical Causes Of Bleeding After Sex

Unless your doctor has told you otherwise, its safe to have sex during all three trimesters. While you may need to experiment with new positions, especially as your belly grows, in general, not a whole lot should change from your pre-pregnancy bedroom sessions.

That said, you may experience some new side effects such as vaginal spotting or bleeding after having sex.

But not to worry! Spotting or light bleeding in the first trimester is quite common. In fact, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says about 15 to 25 percent of women will experience bleeding during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

With that in mind, here are six typical causes of bleeding after sex.

Can Implantation Bleeding Fill A Pad

Implantation bleeding, however, should not present any clots. Amount. Most women are able to fill pads and tampons during their periods, but with implantation bleeding, it is different. The descriptor bleeding can be misleading implantation bleeding is usually only spotting or a light flow rather than a full flow.

Read Also: What Foods And Drinks To Avoid While Pregnant

Vaginal Infections During Pregnancy

If you have any infection during pregnancy, it may cause irregular bleeding. Some of the vaginal infection are:

• Vaginal scratching or itching

What to do if i have vaginal infection in pregnancy?

Inform your doctor ASAP. Most vaginal infections during pregnancy can be treated and cured. Your vaginal samples will be collected and tested before treatment.

If you fail to treat your infection when pregnant, you may have a miscarriage, bleeding or preterm delivery.

What Color Is Your Blood When You Have A Miscarriage

Is it normal to bleed at 4 weeks pregnant?

Bleeding in early pregnancy 4 weeks is common, especially when its first trimester, and usually it is no cause for alarm. But because bleeding can be a sign of something serious, it is important to know the possible causes and gets checked out by your doctor to make sure that you and your baby are healthy.

What does period-like bleeding during early pregnancy look like?

Period-like Bleeding During Early Pregnancy: Is it Normal? Causes and Signs of Implantation Bleeding 1 The implantation bleeding looks like light spotting, i.e. 2 Implantation bleeding usually occurs six to 12 days 3 Causes of implantation bleeding. During conception,

Why am I bleeding at 2 weeks pregnant?

Before the placenta starts forming around 12 weeks, the ovary that released the egg provides the main source of hormonal support to the pregnancy, which can cause some time to pass before the placenta is ready to go, and thus, bleeding. It always seems to happen at 2 oclock in the morning!

What causes period like bleeding after confirmation of pregnancy?

However, if youve already confirmed pregnancy, missed your period and experience period like bleeding, these are the possible causes 2. Sexual intercourse When you get pregnant, it very easy to worry about your baby getting hurt during sexual intercourse.

Recommended Reading: What Seafood Is Safe While Pregnant

Can You Bleed Heavy And Still Be Pregnant

It becomes tender during pregnancy and could be a bit inflamed or irritated. This type of bleeding can also occur prior to a miscarriage or with an ectopic pregnancy, but most often it is not a cause for concern. Heavier bleeding during the first trimester can also be a sign of a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.

What Questions Will My Doctor Ask Me About Bleeding During Pregnancy

Your healthcare provider may ask you several questions to find the cause of your vaginal bleeding and understand your symptoms. Some questions you may be asked are:

• Have you had vaginal bleeding in prior pregnancies?
• Have you had prior surgeries on your uterus or cervix?
• How heavy is your bleeding?
• Does the blood fill a panty liner?
• What color is the blood?
• Does the blood contain clots or tissue?
• Do you have any pain or cramping?
• Have you been exercising or standing more?
• Have you fallen lately?

Also Check: What To Drink While Pregnant First Trimester

What Others Have Experienced

Please dont be scared and always have hope, here are what some mothers have gone through:

I experienced heavy bleeding during pregnancy right at the start when I was about to go to have my first ultrasound. I had observed brown spots for a week leading up to the bleeding. The bleeding was accompanied with a great amount of pain and I simply couldnt stand up. I was taken into the ER and they did the ultrasound to know the cause behind the bleeding. The babys heartbeat was very strong and there was nothing wrong with him. The bleeding was because of a large clot far away from the babys sac. When I came back home, the clot came out and now there is no pain and the baby is fine too.

During the fifteenth week of my pregnancy, I started bleeding regularly. It was light at first but started to get heavier afterwards. I immediately rushed to the ER and there I was told that the bleeding indicated a threatened miscarriage. I was very worried and went to see my gynecologist who said that the baby looked fine and that the bleeding would go away soon. Right on cue, the bleeding stopped from the very next day.

What Comes First: Implantation Bleeding Or A Positive Pregnancy Test

Implantation bleeding occurs in the early stages of pregnancy. It shows as a smear of blood on your underwear or toilet paper a few days before or after the first positive pregnancy test. This blood is called implantation bleeding.

The first sign that a woman may be pregnant is the rise in serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin levels from the corpus luteum. A serum -hCG level below 5 mIU/mL indicates a very low risk of pregnancy, whereas a level above 10 mIU/mL requires immediate medical attention because these results indicate a high risk of pregnancy.

A womans body starts making hCG soon after fertilization when an egg is released from her ovary. This hormone is also made by the placenta and responsible for many important functions during pregnancy. The amount of hCG in the blood increases as the size of the fetus grows along with the mothers belly. Women who are trying to conceive should ask their doctors about taking a home pregnancy test at this time to confirm that they are actually pregnant.

The first sign of pregnancy is the rise in serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin levels from the corpus luteum.

Recommended Reading: How To Boost Immune System While Pregnant

You May Like: How To Control High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy

Symptoms That Accompany Bleeding Gums During Pregnancy

As well as bleeding, you may notice other gum symptoms:

• Swollen, sore gums. Along with bleeding gums, you may notice that your gums are swollen, sore, and red. Youre totally right: Its a pain but its also totally normal.
• Pregnancy tumors. It may sound dangerous, but these are generally harmless, and

Seeing Your Gp About Spotting

Your GP will ask you about your bleeding.

They may ask you:

• when your last period was
• how many weeks pregnant you are
• if it’s your first pregnancy
• what the bleeding or spotting is like
• if you have any other symptoms such as stomach pain or dizziness

Be honest with your GP. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. Tell them about the colour, any clotting, and how heavy the bleeding was. Be as graphic as you need to. Remember, your GP sees people with personal issues like bleeding all the time.

Read Also: Can I Sue My Employer For Pregnancy Discrimination

Bleeding In Early Pregnancy

Any bleeding during pregnancy needs to be reported promptly to your healthcare provider. However, bleeding is common during the first three months 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. Many times, the bleeding stops on its own and the pregnancy continues normally.

Note: mild, low abdominal cramping without bleeding is common in the early weeks of pregnancy.