Although it can be scary to see vaginal bleeding during pregnancy, it is more common than many women think. While bleeding during pregnancy can indicate a serious medical problem or complication with the pregnancy, this is not always the case. Pregnant women who take the time to learn about this bleeding will know when it is most likely benign and when to call their doctors.
Types
Many types of bleeding may be experienced during pregnancy. Bleeding may be light and spotty and last only a day or two, or may be heavy and last for days like a menstrual period. The color can also vary depending upon the cause, ranging from brown to pink to red. Generally speaking, light spotting is less cause for concern than bleeding that is red, heavy or lasts more than a day, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Causes
Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy has many causes, and certain causes are more common depending on when the bleeding happens, according to the Mayo Clinic. Bleeding in the first trimester may indicate cervical cancer, miscarriage or a cervical infection. It can also indicate an ectopic pregnancy, which happens when the fertilized egg implants in a fallopian tube instead of the uterus, or a molar pregnancy, which happens when a genetic error causes a mass of cells to develop instead of an embryo. Bleeding in the second or third trimesters can be caused by a miscarriage, premature opening of the cervix, cervical infection, inflamed cervix, growths on the cervix, preterm labor or the rupture of the uterus. It also can be caused by placenta previa, a condition where the placenta covers all or part of the uterus, or by a placental abruption, where the placenta detaches from the uterine wall. However, the exact cause of the bleeding can only be determined by a doctor or medical professional.
Things to Avoid
The American Pregnancy Association warns pregnant women to avoid using tampons during pregnancy, even if vaginal bleeding is present. Instead, use a sanitary pad or panty liner so you can see the type of bleeding and how much bleeding is occurring. Also, pregnant women experiencing vaginal bleeding should not douche, engage in sexual intercourse or introduce anything else into the vaginal area unless given the OK by a doctor or medical professional.
Misconceptions
Not all vaginal bleeding is cause for alarm, explains the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. In fact, harmless bleeding can happen throughout the pregnancy due to cervical changes due to the pregnancy itself, including the increased blood flow to the cervix and softening of the cervix. This may make bleeding more likely, especially after sex or a pelvic exam. In addition, many women experience bleeding toward the end of pregnancy as the cervix thins and relaxes in preparation for labor. This bleeding is sometimes referred to as "bloody show" and is usually tinged with mucus or stringy discharge.
When to See a Doctor
The Mayo Clinic recommends that any women, regardless of the trimester, should contact her doctor immediately if there is moderate to heavy vaginal bleeding, if the bleeding lasts longer than a day or if the bleeding is accompanied by other symptoms like abdominal pain, fever, chills, cramping or contractions. For pregnant women in the first trimester or second trimester who experience light bleeding or spotting that goes away within a few hours, a phone call to a doctor should be made that same day but is not considered an emergency. Pregnant women in their third trimester should contact their doctor immediately for any amount of vaginal bleeding before 37 weeks into the pregnancy. If bleeding occurs after 37 weeks, it may be "bloody show," which is not a cause for concern and instead is a sign labor may be starting soon.
