Bleeding which pregnant

Contact your obstetrician—gynecologist ob-gyn if you have any bleeding at any time during pregnancy. Bleeding in the first trimester happens in 15 to 25 in pregnancies.

Light bleeding or spotting can occur 1 to 2 weeks after fertilization when the fertilized egg implants in the lining of the uterus. The cervix may bleed more easily during pregnancy because more blood vessels are developing in this area.

It is not uncommon to have spotting or light bleeding after sexual intercourse or after a Pap test or pelvic exam. Problems that can cause bleeding in early pregnancy include infection, early pregnancy loss, and ectopic pregnancy. Loss of a pregnancy during the first 13 weeks of pregnancy is called early pregnancy loss or miscarriage.

It happens in about 10 in known pregnancies. Bleeding and cramping are signs of early pregnancy loss. But about half of women who have a miscarriage do not have any bleeding beforehand. If you have had an early pregnancy loss, some of the pregnancy tissue may be left in the uterus.

This tissue needs to be removed. You can allow the tissue to pass naturally, or it can be removed with medication or surgery.

See Early Pregnancy Loss. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg does not implant in the uterus but instead implants somewhere else, usually in one of the fallopian tubes. If the fallopian tube ruptures, internal bleeding can occur.

Blood loss may cause weakness, fainting, pain, shock, or even death. Sometimes vaginal bleeding is the only sign of an ectopic pregnancy. Other symptoms may include abdominal, pelvic, or shoulder pain. These symptoms can occur before you even know you are pregnant. If you have these symptoms, call your ob-gyn right away.

The pregnancy will not survive, and it must be removed with medication or surgery. See Ectopic Pregnancy. Common problems that may cause light bleeding later in pregnancy include inflammation of or growths on the cervix. Heavy bleeding is a more serious sign. Heavy bleeding may be caused by a problem with the placenta. Ambassadors Ambassadors Celebrity Advocate Council. Mission stories Spotlights Impact Stories. Bleeding and spotting from the vagina during pregnancy.

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Saving Just a moment, please. You've saved this page It's been added to your dashboard. In This Topic. What should you do if you have bleeding or spotting during pregnancy? Call your health care provider if you have any kind of bleeding during pregnancy and do these things: Keep track of how heavy your bleeding is, if it gets heavier or lighter, and how many pads you are using. Check the color of the blood. Your provider may want to know. It can be different colors, like brown, dark or bright red.

Call your health care provider right away at any time during pregnancy or go to the emergency room if you have: Heavy bleeding Bleeding with pain or cramping Dizziness and bleeding Pain in your belly or pelvis What causes bleeding or spotting early in pregnancy?

It can be caused by: Having sex An infection Implantation. When a fertilized egg embryo attaches to the lining of the uterus womb and begins to grow. Hormone changes. Hormones are chemicals made by the body. Changes in your cervix. This type of bleeding often happens around the time your period would have been due.

Pregnancy can cause changes to the cervix, and this may sometimes cause bleeding — after sex, for example. 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 is likely you will go on to have normal and successful pregnancies. If 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.

An ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilised egg implants outside the womb — for example, in the fallopian tube. The amount of bleeding varies, as does the impact on your baby. Treatment may involve monitoring you and your baby, bed rest, or, in more serious cases, the early birth of your baby. It can take some time for your doctor to be sure of what the bleeding means.

You may need a number of tests, which could include:. Both placenta previa and placental abruption can cause heavy bleeding of bright red blood from the vagina. A vaginal examination is often used to help diagnose placental abruption, but could trigger heavier bleeding in the case of placenta previa. Therefore, an ultrasound scan should always be taken first, and digital finger vaginal examinations should be strictly avoided in the case of placenta previa. Tests used to diagnose placenta previa include:.

Having ruled out placenta previa using the tests above, a digital vaginal examination may be used to identify placental abruption. The bleeding may be light and stop in a day or two. Many people go on to have a healthy baby at full term after such a bleed.

However, sometimes the bleeding becomes heavy and a miscarriage is likely to happen. While you still need to see a doctor, in such circumstances there is no emergency care that will save your pregnancy. Sometimes, during a miscarriage, some of the pregnancy tissue may remain inside the uterus. This can lead to very heavy bleeding if it is not treated.

Your doctor will tell you if you need further treatment. If you are Rhesus Rh negative if you have a negative blood type , you may require an injection of anti-D immunoglobulin to prevent problems related to possible blood incompatibility in future pregnancies. You may feel a range of emotions over this time. Your body will be going through changes in hormone levels and this can make you feel very emotional. It may help to talk to family or friends. While there is no specific treatment to prevent a miscarriage, things you can do that may help include:.

If you are finding your mood remains low for an extended period of time, you may be experiencing depression and require the assistance of a professional. This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:. In Victoria, you can have two types of abortion: surgical and medication. Both types are safe and reliable.