Pregnancy is a journey filled with a multitude of experiences, both exciting and unexpected. One such worrisome experience that some women encounter is blood spotting during pregnancy. It's natural to worry. However, it's important to remember that many women experience some degree of spotting during pregnancy, and the majority of these pregnancies have no major complications and result in healthy babies. However, if spotting progresses to heavy bleeding, it may signal a miscarriage or other pregnancy issues. Consult your healthcare provider as soon as you notice spotting and bleeding symptoms.
Continue reading to learn about the causes, symptoms, and risks of blood spotting during pregnancy.
Many pregnant women notice light bleeding during pregnancy. This may appear as pink, dark brown, or red-coloured bloody discharge, which is usually noticed on the underwear or toilet paper. Blood spotting during early pregnancy is common and often harmless, typically indicating implantation. However, it's crucial to remember that spotting can also be a symptom of miscarriage, so it's essential to consult with your doctor for proper evaluation.
There is a bit of confusion regarding the difference between spotting and bleeding during pregnancy. Spotting is light red or brown spotting during pregnancy i.e. you notice only a few drops of blood in your underwear. Spotting is often not a matter of concern and is usually normal during pregnancy. Bleeding, on the other hand, is quite different from spotting. It involves a heavier flow of blood. Pads or panty liners will be required to avoid staining the underwear or clothes.
Blood spotting is usually normal in early pregnancy as it can be due to implantation or other normal changes in your body. Quite a few pregnant women experience spotting during the first trimester. So, try to stay calm if you notice spotting during the early days of pregnancy.
● Mild spotting may be seen during early pregnancy i.e., 10 to 14 days after conception.
● There may be a few drops of blood in the underwear.
● The spotting may appear red, pink or brown in colour.
Causes of blood spotting during pregnancy vary based on your stage of pregnancy.
● Implantation: Implantation bleeding is nothing but when the fertilised egg gets implanted in the uterus lining.
● Hormonal Changes: Pregnancy hormones can sometimes lead to spotting during pregnancy.
● Changes In Your Cervix: During pregnancy, your cervix becomes sensitive while preparing for pregnancy, leading to blood spots.
● Ectopic Pregnancy: You may experience blood spotting when the pregnancy is formed outside the uterus.
● Molar Pregnancy: This is a rare health issue. This occurs when a fertilised egg develops abnormally and becomes a tumour.
● Infection: You may notice blood spotting when you suffer from infections like chlamydia, gonorrhoea and other STIs.
● Miscarriage: You may notice light to heavy bleeding when you suffer from a miscarriage.
● Sexual Intercourse: Sexual intercourse during early pregnancy can result in blood spotting.
● Tests Like Amniocentesis and CVS: When undergoing these genetic tests during pregnancy, you may suffer from blood spotting.
● Cervical Polyp: You may suffer from a non-cancerous growth in your cervix due to higher levels of estrogen during pregnancy.
● Irritation in Cervix: Blood spotting occurs due to irritation in the cervix during pregnancy:
● Placenta Previa: Spotting occurs when the placenta covers your cervix
● Late Miscarriage: Blood spotting happens when you experience loss of pregnancy in the second pregnancy.
● Premature Labour: Blood spotting may be a sign when you go into labour earlier than 37 weeks.
● Sign of Labour: Sometimes, blood spotting may be a sign of normal labour. It is called Bloody Show.
● Placenta Abruption: Blood spotting occurs when the placenta detaches from your uterine wall. This may be due to injury or other reasons.
● Incompetent Cervix: Blood spotting happens when your cervix opens early during pregnancy.
Blood spotting can also be due to an unidentified reason, such as changes in your body during pregnancy.
Blood spotting is not alarming unless you experience the following:
● Heavy bleeding
● Fever or chills
● Pelvic pain
● Cramps
● Dizziness
● Any signs of preterm labour, such as your water breaking.
When you notice the above symptom, consult your doctor immediately, as it can be a sign of a serious complication. It's also important to distinguish between pregnancy bleeding vs. miscarriage, as the former can be harmless while the latter may require immediate medical attention.
Your doctor first examines the actual cause of blood spotting and the amount of blood flow. In case of heavy blood flow, several medical examinations and tests are performed.
● Taking rest is the best treatment for blood spotting during pregnancy.
● You must take off from work and avoid walking.
● Never have sexual intercourse when you notice blood spotting.
● Do not use tampons or douche.
In case of heavy blood flow, you may need immediate medical care.
It is not possible to prevent blood spotting during pregnancy, but you can reduce the risk of blood spotting. Keep these recommendations in mind:
● Take sufficient rest.
● Attend all the scheduled prenatal checkups.
● Drink plenty of fluids.
● Avoid sexual intercourse and the use of tampons during pregnancy.
● Take precautions to prevent falls and injuries.
Blood spotting during pregnancy isn’t always a cause for alarm, as it can occur for harmless reasons. However, if the spotting becomes heavier and develops into significant bleeding, it may indicate a pregnancy complication that requires urgent attention. Be alert and monitor all the changes that happen. If you notice any blood spotting during pregnancy, it’s essential to consult your doctor immediately. In many cases, rest can be an effective way to help manage and stop spotting. Always prioritise medical guidance to ensure the health and safety of both you and your baby.
