Bleeding During Pregnancy

Medically Reviewed by Dr Sravya, MBBS, MS

Introduction

During their pregnancy, up to one out of every four pregnant women (up to 25%) can have some bleeding or spotting. Pregnancy bleeding and spotting may not usually indicate a problem, but they can be a symptom of miscarriage or other significant issues. Let’s see the frequently asked question: Is bleeding common during pregnancy? What can cause bleeding during pregnancy? How does it feel while bleeding during pregnancy? How can we differentiate between spotting and bleeding? How can we get treated for bleeding during pregnancy?

In This Article

Is bleeding during pregnancy common?

Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy might be frightening. However, it is not necessarily an indication of problems. It may occur throughout the first trimester (weeks one through twelve), and the majority of women who have bleeding during pregnancy go on to have healthy infants.
During pregnancy, vaginal bleeding and spotting are typical. Nonetheless, it is critical to treat vaginal bleeding during pregnancy carefully. Bleeding during pregnancy might suggest an approaching miscarriage (when a baby dies inside the womb before the 20th week of pregnancy) or a disease that require immediate attention.

What can cause bleeding at different stages of pregnancy?

1. First trimester bleeding

Bleeding or spotting during the first trimester is typical and does not always indicate a problem. Try not to be concerned. Make a note of the sort of bleeding you detect and notify your healthcare professional of your symptoms.

Some of the reasons for early pregnancy bleeding include:

Implantation bleeding: It occurs when a fertilized egg implants in the uterine wall, causing mild bleeding. It's considered a natural aspect of the early stages of pregnancy.
Molar pregnancy is an uncommon disorder in which a fertilized egg implants in your uterus but a tumor develops instead of a fetus.
Ectopic pregnancy: A pregnancy that develops outside of your uterus (for example, in your fallopian tubes). It is potentially fatal.
Subchorionic hematomas: Bleeding from one of the membranes that surround the embryo inside your uterus is known as a subchorionic hematoma. Subchorionic hematomas typically disappear on their own.
Cervical polyps are noncancerous growths on the cervix that cause bleeding during pregnancy due to elevated estrogen levels.
Miscarriage: The termination of a pregnancy before the 20th week. It generally begins with mild bleeding and progresses to heavy bleeding. It is sometimes followed by severe cramps.

2. Second and third trimesters bleeding

Bleeding in the second part of pregnancy is frequently related to more serious issues, so notify your doctor right away so they are aware of your concerns.

The following conditions can include bleeding in the second and third trimesters:

Placenta previa: This is a condition in which the placenta covers all or part of your cervix. It is uncommon after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
Placental abruptionis an uncommon disorder in which the placenta separates from the uterine wall. This is risky for both you and your fetus.
Preterm labor is defined as labor occurring before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Other signs of premature labor include contractions, discomfort, or the rupture of your membranes.
Incompetent cervix:When the cervix opens (dilates) prematurely, resulting in preterm labor.
Light bleeding When the cervix opens (dilates) prematurely, resulting in preterm labor.
Miscarriage: The termination of a pregnancy after the 20th week. This is also known as a stillbirth.

3. Other causes

Sex: After intercourse, some women suffer minor bleeding. This is because your cervix becomes extremely delicate during pregnancy.
Pelvic exam or ultrasound: Because your cervix is particularly sensitive (because of elevated hormones), it may bleed following a pelvic exam or transvaginal ultrasound.
Light bleeding: It can be caused by Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and other sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) or urinary tract infections (UTIs). Your healthcare professional will need to treat these infections.

How does it feel while bleeding during pregnancy?

Heavy vaginal bleeding along with

Abdominal pain
Cramping
Fever of more than 100
Chills
Contractions
Dizziness
Another sign of preterm labor, like your water breaking.

How can we differentiate between spotting and bleeding?

During pregnancy, there is a distinction between bleeding and spotting (light bleeding).

When you see a few droplets of blood in your pants, this is spotting. If you use a panty liner, the blood will not fill it. Spotting during pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester, is typically not a cause for worry.
Bleeding is defined as a continuous flow of blood that is bigger than a drop here and there. It's commonly considered bleeding if you require a pad to keep it from spoiling your pants.
If you see spotting or bleeding, contact your doctor. To diagnose the cause, they may want to examine you or do an ultrasound. It is preferable to be extremely careful to safeguard the health of both you and the fetus.

How can we diagnose bleeding during pregnancy?

Your doctor or midwife will inquire about the bleeding and any other symptoms you have been experiencing, as well as your pregnancy and overall health.

A vaginal examination may also be performed by your doctor or midwife to evaluate the bleeding and seek out any evident causes.
For further examination, imaging procedures such as MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) are necessary.
A blood test to monitor your human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) level may be recommended. hCG is a placental hormone that can be discovered in your blood and urine. Your hCG level might provide significant information to your doctor about how your pregnancy is proceeding.
You could also be referred for an ultrasound scan, which might be used for:
(a) Examine your baby's heartbeat.
(b) Examine for indications of a miscarriage.
(c) Keep an eye out for indicators of an ectopic pregnancy.
(d) Examine the placenta's location and health.
(e) It may take some time to determine the source of your bleeding. Several blood tests or ultrasound scans may be required over a few days or weeks. This may be a difficult moment, so seek help from your spouse or someone you trust.

How can we get treated for bleeding during pregnancy?

Among the therapies for vaginal bleeding during pregnancy are:

Conclusion

Bleeding during pregnancy are difficult, but with the right understanding and proper guidance, you can manage them successfully and avoid them. You can keep a healthy balance by identifying the signs, knowing the causes, getting early treatment, and adopting preventive actions. Remember that if you have a serious illness, it is always more beneficial to get individualized guidance from a physician.