Spotting or cramping during pregnancy may be simply an annoyance, but it also may indicate a serious medical condition or pregnancy complication. Since it can be difficult for women to determine when the situation is harmless and when it is serious, it is always best for pregnant women to call a doctor if they experience cramping or spotting after conception.
Implantation
Implantation is the process of a fertilized egg embedding itself into the uterine wall. This process sometimes triggers light spotting or mild cramping. Implantation spotting is usually brown or pinkish, but may be red in color as well. It typically occurs 11 to 12 days after conception, according to the medical advisory board of the information website BabyCenter.
Hormones
Hormones often fluctuate during early pregnancy. Although these hormone changes often suppress menstruation, spotting or cramping may occur in some women around the time of expected menstruation or at other times in the cycle. Pregnancy hormones may also cause more blood flow to the cervix, which may increase the likelihood of spotting after a pelvic exam or sexual intercourse, explains MayoClinic.com. Hormonal imbalances due to illness, medications, thyroid problems or even stress may also cause unexpected vaginal bleeding, according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Pregnancy Complications
Spotting and cramping during pregnancy may also indicate a problem with the pregnancy. Approximately 15 to 20 percent of pregnancies end in a miscarriage during the first 13 weeks of pregnancy, according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Women who miscarry often experience spotting or cramping at the onset of the miscarriage. Ectopic pregnancies and molar pregnancies may also trigger spotting or cramping during the first trimester of pregnancy, according to the MayoClinic.com. If the spotting and cramping occurs within the second or third trimester, it may also indicate problems with the placenta. Premature opening of the cervix, preterm labor or uterine rupture can also sometimes cause spotting and cramping.
Medical Conditions
Cancer of female reproductive organs may cause abnormal vaginal bleeding during pregnancy. The Hershey Medical Center of Penn State University notes that unusual vaginal bleeding may be the only noticeable symptom of the cancer in some cases. Early detection of cancer is important for treatment and recovery from the disease, so women should report any unusual spotting to a doctor as soon as possible. Cervical infections, fibroids, polyps and growths on the cervix may also cause unusual vaginal spotting or bleeding in some women during pregnancy.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Bleeding During Pregnancy Causes
- BabyCenter: Top Ten Pregnancy Signs
- American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding
- American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: Bleeding During Pregnancy
- American Pregnancy Association: Bleeding During Pregnancy
