The time of pregnancy is accompanied by many different feelings, pain, and changes that lead to many things happening around us and to our bodies. From back aches, and cravings to spotting and bleeding, there is so much to experience. As there are a lot of strange things happening down below for women who do not know about spotting and bleeding during pregnancy, it can be scary to experience it.
Noticing spotting or bleeding during pregnancy can feel nerve-wracking, but it is not always a sign that something is wrong. Spotting or bleeding during pregnancy is considered normal if the occurrence of the blood is light and in a few drops. In general, spotting is when you see a light trace of pink, red, or dark brown blood on your underwear. It is just your body’s normal adjustments to pregnancy and an increase in the blood flow in your body.
As per Dr. Elsa, a Women's Obstetrics & Gynaecology Specialist, spotting and bleeding happen to around 20% of women in their first three months of pregnancy. So, there is no need to stress. Instead, it is advised to meet an obstetrician and discuss all the symptoms and experiences you have had.
When you are experiencing spotting or bleeding during pregnancy, pay more attention to the blood that comes. During spotting, blood comes in three colors: bright red, pale pink, and brown, and the reasons for those are different.
Vaginal bleeding caused by cuts
Implantation
Ectopic pregnancy
Chemical pregnancy
History of miscarriage
Bleeding from a cervical polyp.
Cervical minor injury
Implantation
Old Blood
Previous clotted blood
Sexual intercourse
Healed cervical injury
Spotting during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy is referred to as normal rather than the spotting experienced nearer to the delivery date. As spotting is different, there are many reasons that explain why spotting happens during pregnancy.
About 1 in 4 women experience spotting during the first trimester, but the condition is said to be normal. Spotting during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy can be an active cause of:
Implantation bleeding: Implantation is a sign that an embryo is lodging into the wall of the uterus, and the bleeding occurs 6 to 12 days following conception. The color of implantation bleeding is usually light pink to dark brown and is also different from the menstrual period, so keep a check.
Ectopic pregnancy: A condition that occurs when the fertilized egg is attached outside the uterus and leads to light or heavy blood spotting. Women who are spotted during an ectopic pregnancy suffer other symptoms like pelvic pain, weakness, rectal pressure, and others.
Miscarriage: Early Pregnancy Complications or miscarriages occur in the first 13 weeks of pregnancy, resulting in either brown or bright red bleeding. Apart from this, there are several other symptoms that a woman experiences, like weight loss, back pain, cramping, clots, and others.
In general, pregnancy spotting in the second trimester is sometimes considered normal unless and until you experience vaginal bleeding, just like menstrual periods. If this is the case, it is a sign of a medical emergency and it is advised to meet the doctor as soon as possible.
Irritation to the cervix: An irritation generally caused after sex or a cervical exam is considered a common cause of concern.
A cervical polyp: Considered as small, elongated tumors growing on the cervix, a narrow canal at the bottom of the uterus extending into the vagina, a cervical polyp is another possible cause of spotting and bleeding in the second trimester.
Spotting during late pregnancy or in the third trimester is caused by sex or having a cervical exam. It can also be a reason due to a bloody show or a sign that labor is starting.
Placental abruption: Implanted in the upper part of the uterus, the placenta is an organ providing nutrients to the baby while a woman is pregnant. Bleeding is caused when the placenta is detached way too early.
Vasa Previa: An extremely rare but severe complication of pregnancy in which some fetal umbilical cord blood vessels run across or close to the internal opening of the cervix.
During pregnancy, there are several factors that can result in spots that can be scary, but not all the time it is something serious. In the majority of cases, spotting or bleeding during pregnancy is a normal concern and also means that your baby is healthy.
If you are noticing spotting or vaginal bleeding similar to your menstrual cycle, it is now time to notify your doctor and share all the details. Contact your healthcare provider or contact New Concept Clinic, a Gynecology Hospital in Dubai, to fix an appointment with Dr. Elsa.
Also Read : How to Predict When Your Baby Will Drop and When You Will Induce Labor?
