If you experience light bleeding early in your pregnancy, it is often not serious.
This is known as implantation bleeding. It is normal and usually occurs when a fertilized egg implants in the uterus lining. It can also be a sign of a threatened miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy, which is dangerous for both mom and baby.
Causes of pregnancy spotting
Many women have light bleeding (spotting) in early pregnancy. It’s usually not a big deal and doesn’t mean that something is wrong. But it’s important to call your healthcare provider just to make sure that the baby is okay and there are no complications.
One of the most common causes of spotting in early pregnancy is called implantation bleeding. This occurs when a fertilized egg attaches to the lining of your uterus. The spotting is usually very light and may not even be noticeable when you put on a pad or underwear.
Bleeding in early pregnancy can also be caused by hormonal changes or by the swollen opening to your uterus, the cervix. This is called a subchorionic haematoma. It happens when blood collects between the uterus and the chorionic membrane, which is part of the gestational sac that holds your embryo.
Spotting can be a sign of a problem with the placenta or membranes. It can also be a sign of preterm labor. Sometimes, a woman will have what is called a bloody show, which means that the cervix is starting to dilate and that the baby is close to delivery. This can be a cause for concern, but only if it is very heavy bleeding. Other signs of preterm labor include abdominal pain on one side and dizziness.
Symptoms of pregnancy spotting
If you’re early in your pregnancy (first trimester) and you notice a light amount of pink, red or dark brown blood on underwear or tissue after wiping, it’s probably implantation bleeding. This happens between 6 and 12 days after conception as the fertilized egg implants in the uterus. Spotting may last a few days, but it’s usually lighter than your period and won’t cover a panty liner.
During the second trimester, your cervix becomes more vascular because of the increased hormone levels, so you might have spotting from time to time. This is normal, especially if it’s after sexual intercourse or a pelvic exam. Your uterus is also more prone to infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea and pelvic inflammatory disease during pregnancy, so you may have spotting from these conditions.
Bleeding later in pregnancy can be a sign of placenta previa or placental abruption, which occur when the placenta lies too low or covers part of the cervix. It can also be a sign of preterm labor, which is when the uterus starts to dilate too soon. It can also be a sign of a uterine rupture, which is when the uterus tears during labor. If you have spotting, your doctor may recommend an ultrasound and an hCG blood test to confirm that the pregnancy is normal and rule out other problems.
Diagnosis of pregnancy spotting
Regardless of when the bleeding occurs, it is important to call your healthcare provider as soon as possible. They will want to determine the cause of the spotting and whether or not it is a problem. This will help them keep you and your fetus safe.
Spotting during early pregnancy may be due to implantation bleeding, which happens when the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining. It is usually lighter than a period and can look brownish in color. This spotting typically occurs before a woman even knows she is pregnant, and sometimes is mistaken for a light period.
Bleeding during pregnancy is also a sign of infection, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea, which can be dangerous to the fetus. If you suspect you are infected, your doctor will need to give you antibiotics.
If you are unsure what the reason is for your bleeding, your healthcare provider will perform an ultrasound exam and may order blood tests to check your hCG levels. They may also want to do a pelvic exam or transvaginal ultrasound to assess the condition of your cervix. They will also ask you questions about your symptoms and medical history. They will also want to know if you have Rhesus-negative blood, as this can increase the risk of complications from a hemorrhage.
Treatment of Spotting During Pregnancy
If you are concerned about spotting during pregnancy, call your doctor right away. They will ask you a lot of questions about the spotting, other symptoms you have and your health and pregnancy history. They may also want to do a vaginal exam or ultrasound. They will also do a blood test to check the level of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which is a pregnancy hormone.
If the spotting is light, it is probably normal, especially in early pregnancy. It could be the result of implantation bleeding, when a fertilized egg implants in the wall of the uterus and causes light bleeding. It could also be a sign of ectopic pregnancy, when the fertilized egg attaches to the fallopian tube instead of the uterus.
Heavier spotting or bleeding is usually a reason to call the doctor, but it isn’t necessarily a cause for concern. Some women bleed, even heavily, for the entire course of their pregnancies and still deliver healthy babies.
The doctor will do a pelvic exam and maybe an ultrasound to look for the cause of the bleeding. Other lab tests may be done to check your blood type, hCG levels and other factors that are important for the well-being of you and the fetus. If the spotting is a sign of ectopic or molar pregnancy, the doctor will perform a more thorough exam and will probably do an ultrasound to check the position of the fetus.
