Bleeding in early Pregnancy

Some bleeding in the early part of pregnancy is common, though worrying. However, it doesn't mean you will lose your baby.

What it can mean..

• Your hormone level may not be high enough to subdue your periods

• The spotting is often a sign of implantation i.e. the fertilized egg attaching to the lining of uterus. Usually it lasts for a day or two.

• Around 12 weeks there may be some bleeding as the placenta embeds into the uterus lining. On the bright side, for most women slight bleeding during early pregnancy is no cause for concern as pregnancy continues successfully.

• Having sex is usually not a problem but occasional spotting may result from intercourse; refrain from sex for the time being.

• Bleeding can start and stop on its own; if the bleeding is slight and stops on its own, your chances of delivering a healthy baby are great

Other reasons of bleeding..

• Softening of the cervix which can cause bleeding and can happen in non-pregnant women

• Vaginal infection

• Polyp - a benign growth which cause slight bleeding and usually stops on its own

Your risk of miscarrying reduces greatly after the first trimester, and after hearing your baby's heartbeat the risk drops even further.

Other expressions and their meaning..

Early miscarriage in points:

1. It is more common than we would like to believe

2. It happens due to something being amiss with the fetus

3. Or the fetus had not been implanted correctly

4. Pain level is low; something akin to period-like cramps. Bleeding is brownish

5. You may experience bleeding a few days later if not earlier; D&C may be required.

6. Sometimes no further treatment is necessary as it is indistinguishable from a late and heavy period

7. In some situations your body has reabsorbed the pregnancy

Threatened miscarriage in points:

1. Bleeding is light; spotting on and off for several days

2. Cervix remains closed

3. The pain is not severe

4. Ultrasound to scan to check on the status

5. Blood test to check HCG levels (pregnancy hormone)

6. A visit to your doctor is very necessary

Inevitable miscarriage in points:

1. Bleeding continues steadily

2. Contractions have begun

3. Low back pain and abdominal cramps; if cervix is dilated, miscarriage is for sure and will occur within 24 hours

4. If there is blood clot mixed with other fluids and pain, you are undergoing spontaneous abortion.

5. In complete and spontaneous miscarriage all fetal and placental tissue will be expelled from your uterus.

6. Your pain and bleeding will cease and you will be physically fine in a few days. Your uterus will shrink to its pre-pregnancy size


Incomplete abortion in points:

1. Not the entire contents have been expelled.

2. If parts remain you could experience heavy bleeding and your uterus is not able to contract to stop the flow

3. Hemorrhaging is possible

4. A procedure, D&C (dilatation and curettage) will be performed; your cervix is widened and the remaining tissues are scraped or suctioned out

Missed abortion in points:

1. Fetus dies in the first 8 weeks of development

2. No pain; no bleeding

3. You don't feel pregnant anymore e.g. breast tenderness is gone, morning sickness disappears

4. HCG levels have dropped though fetus and placenta continue to remain in the womb

5. D&C will be scheduled along with an ultrasound

6. If you don't feel right or something is amiss, don't wait. Call your doctor right away

On the Bright side:

Some women bleed throughout the nine months and their fears end when they hold their babies. These cases sometimes go through all the symptoms of miscarriage including bleeding and cramps and still not miscarry. This is called menstrual molimena. You will have to monitor the HCG levels closely and watch them rise normally.