Bleeding during pregnancy
Pregnancy always involves some amount of risk, and none is scarier than the presence of bleeding. How can you tell if it is an indication of something serious or harmless? No matter how light or heavy your bleeding is, and whether it is accompanied by cramps or not, you should call your gynecologist immediately. It is especially better to be safe than sorry in this situation.
Vaginal bleeding can happen in the first three months of pregnancy. This is not necessarily a sign of trouble. If you find you are bleeding during the later part of your pregnancy, this can be an indication of complications. There are a number of things that can cause bleeding when you are pregnant.
Things to Know about Bleeding
- If you notice any bleeding, it is wise to wear a pad in order to keep track of the amount of blood present. Your obstetrics team may ask you how often you need to change your pad to assess the danger.
- Never wear a tampon or any other device that must be inserted in the vagina
- If you are experiencing spotting or bleeding, don’t use a douche
- Avoid intercourse until the doctor tells you otherwise
It may comfort you to know that more than half of women who experience bleeding in the first trimester of pregnancy do not miscarry. Studies that show it is fairly common for women to bleed during the first twelve weeks of pregnancy. It is thought that an average of 20-30 percent of women will experience bleeding during the first trimester. Much of early bleeding can be attributed to implantation bleeding or existing infection.
Of course, bleeding during your pregnancy can also mean complications to the fetus such as an ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage and a molar pregnancy. It is always sound advice to speak to your doctor whenever you notice bleeding of any kind, even the slightest amount of spotting.
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