Even a tiny tinge of blood can send a pregnant woman into panic mode. While bleeding and spotting usually are associated with miscarriage, especially during early pregnancy, don't be overly concerned if it happens to you. There are many harmless explanations for this common symptom and your doctor is your best resource for determining the cause.
Spotting Versus Bleeding
Though the two terms sometimes are used interchangeably, spotting and bleeding during pregnancy are different things. Spotting is very light bleeding and might be similar to the flow you experience at the beginning or end of your regular period. It ranges in color from light pink to red to brown and isn't enough to soak a pad. Spotting usually is less of a concern than bleeding, but either one can have a number of causes.
Miscarriage
Miscarriage is only one possible explanation for spotting. Up to 25 percent of women experience spotting or bleeding early in pregnancy, but only half of these women miscarry, reports BabyCenter. Other signs of miscarriage include abdominal pain or cramping in the lower stomach and passage of tissue through the vagina.
Other Causes
Many women experience spotting in early pregnancy after having intercourse or getting a pap smear or internal exam; this usually is due to the greater blood flow the cervix receives, or the presence of a benign cervical polyp. Other possible causes include an ectopic pregnancy, vaginal infection, yeast infection, urinary tract infection, hemorrhoids, sexually transmitted disease or molar pregnancy.
What to Do
Though spotting at six weeks of pregnancy is common and not necessarily a sign of miscarriage, you always should call your doctor to report any type of bleeding. You might be asked to come into the office for a physical exam, ultrasound or blood test so that your doctor can pinpoint the cause of the bleeding; however, if you can't get in touch with your doctor and the spotting is accompanied by pain or any other unusual symptoms, go to the emergency room for evaluation.
