Is Bleeding During Pregnancy a Cause for Concern?

Once you’re pregnant you can expect a break from your regular periods. However, there are quite a few reasons why you may have a small amount of bleeding or spotting – and they’re not all bad. In fact, a third of pregnant women will experience bleeding, most without any consequence to their baby. Here are some of them:

 

Implantation bleeding. 

This can occur before you even realise you’re pregnant and can be the first thing to indicate something is different. It can happen about 2 weeks after conception, once an ovum has been fertilised and implanted itself in the uterus.

 

Ectopic pregnancy 

Is the term given when the fertilised ovum embeds itself outside the uterus; often in a fallopian tube but also the cervix, an ovary or even the bowel. You’ll need a scan to confirm this and your doctor will be able to advise you on the best course of action.

 

Vaginal abrasion. 

This is common during or after sex. You may notice a small amount of bright red blood that could have come from a tiny abrasion or tear. Again, because your hormones are raging, you might also experience cramps after sex as they cause your uterus to contract.

 

Infections. 

We’re often more prone to urinary tract infections (or UTIs) during pregnancy. A symptom is blood in your urine (not from your vagina) and more alarmingly, a painful burning sensation when you urinate. This is unlikely to resolve itself and if left, can develop into a bladder and then kidney infection – so best to get along to the doctor.

 

Subchorionic hematoma 

Is the medical term for bleeding between the placenta and the wall of the uterus, or within the layers of the placenta. It has the potential (not the certainty) to lead to miscarriage so if your doctor suspects this is the cause of bleeding, you’ll be sent off for an ultrasound to check what’s going on.
There could be other reasons so if you’re at all concerned, ask your doctor or midwife.