One in four pregnant women experiences heavy bleeding during early pregnancy. When you are expecting a baby, you have to watch out for many symptoms. One of them is blood loss in pregnancy. If it happens to you, you are probably wondering if it is normal to bleed the first month of pregnancy. Or at any other time during it. But heavy bleeding during early pregnancy may not be normal.
Losing vaginal blood during pregnancy can be a source of concern for expectant parents. But this phenomenon depends on the stage of pregnancy. Which it occurs, and the symptoms associated with it are not necessarily a bad sign. Usually, heavy bleeding can signify more serious problems, especially when it occurs in early pregnancy. Let’s know more is it normal or alarming.
Heavy bleeding in early pregnancy
Bleeding in early pregnancy is frequent and most often harmless, but heavy bleeding is alarming. During pregnancy, the cervix is weakened. For example, it can bleed after intercourse.
Another factor that causes bleeding in the first trimester is your period. Yet synonymous with the absence of pregnancy, it can occur at the beginning of maternity. But these cases remain exceptional and are not serious. The drained blood comes from a part of the mucous membrane located in front of the area where the egg is implanted.
Another possible cause is the detachment of the trophoblast (the structure that evolves into a placenta from the third month of pregnancy), which can also be the cause of bleeding during the first trimester.
Still, it resolves spontaneously in most cases, and it does not affect the good progress of the pregnancy. Fortunately, most often, the origin of the bleeding is harmless and is located outside the cervix or at the level of a small vessel at the insertion of the placenta. Most of the time, it causes a slight detachment of the membranes or placenta, usually not serious.
Causes of heavy bleeding during early pregnancy
However, heavy bleeding may be a sign of a more serious problem. Without making you worse off, it should be your doctor who rules out any of the following possibilities.
Ectopic pregnancy:
This type of pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg remains in the fallopian tube and does not reach the uterus. Symptoms of this are abdominal pain, bleeding, and dizziness. Ectopic pregnancy is very dangerous for the mother’s health, so it is essential to see a specialist. It may cause bleeding during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Spontaneous abortion:
It is one of the most common bleedings during pregnancy and most feared by mothers. It is most conducive in the first trimester and is accompanied by abdominal pain and bleeding with clots. This type of abortion can cause by tests such as amniocentesis. For this reason, many future mothers opt for reliable and non-invasive alternatives such as the NACE test.
Placental abruption:
It is one of the most worrying cases since it can end the baby’s life or the mother’s. This bleeding causes the total or partial displacement of the placenta from the uterine wall. In these cases, the intervention of a specialist is again essential.
Molar pregnancy:
It occurs when the maternal uterus does not develop a baby. But instead develops a mass of abnormal tissue classified as benign tissue similar to the placenta.
Another reason for heavy bleeding is that the mother may have cancer. So it would be best if you went to the specialist to proceed in this case. It is very rare, and cancer usually has other symptoms before producing bleeding. So the bleeding is the last thing to suspect.
The infections in the cervix or vagina may also be one of the reasons for bleeding.
Sexual intercourse:
Sex in mid to late pregnancy may result in a small loss of blood. Or light bleeding due to the increased tenderness of cervical and vaginal tissue during this time.
Premature or term delivery:
It refers to delivery before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Cervical dilation and uterine contractions usually occur to help the fetus descend. Which can cause bleeding and a large amount of vaginal discharge to pass.
Placenta previa:
In this condition, the placenta is located near or above the opening of the cervix. The only symptoms are vaginal bleeding, and placenta previa can interfere with labor and birth.
Uterine rupture:
Uterine rupture occurs when the uterine muscles tear or separate during labor. It considers a medical emergency because uncontrollable vaginal bleeding can result. Although rare, this condition occurs most often in women with a history of uterine surgery or cesarean delivery.
Bleeding in pregnancy: should I be concerned?
Bleeding in pregnancy, also known as a hemorrhage. It is a symptom of the first weeks that affects pregnant women between 20% and 30%. However, this does not have to be a sign of danger.
When bleeding occurs in the second or third trimester. That may be a sign of something more serious, so you should not overlook it. Despite this, only one in ten women ends up causing serious problems.
Although you should not panic, you must consult your specialist before a hemorrhage. Especially if this small bleeding is accompanied by abdominal pain.
Be careful if there are other symptoms.
But first trimester bleeding can also signify that something abnormal is going on, especially if other symptoms accompany it. In bleeding in the first trimester, you should immediately check-up. And go to the doctor that it is not a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy.
The latter is characterized by blackish bleeding and severe abdominal pain. This type of pregnancy, where the fetus develops outside the uterus (usually in one of the two fallopian tubes). It requires emergency surgery because the tube can rupture, causing internal bleeding. To diagnose, it is necessary to measure the level of pregnancy hormones by a blood test. This rate, which is supposed to double every 24 hours at the start of a normal pregnancy. It does not increase or only slightly during an ectopic pregnancy or a miscarriage.
Whatever the pregnancy’s situation and stage, it is important to see a doctor. And perform an ultrasound in bleeding to determine the cause.
Bleeding in the first weeks of pregnancy
Having a small spot in the first weeks of pregnancy should not only not worry you. But it is very normal. That is what is known as implantation bleeding. Implantation is the moment in which the embryo implants itself in the walls of the uterus. During this process, some women probably present slight bleeding, which signifies the beginning of the pregnancy.
The implantation date is usually slightly earlier than the date of your period. This bleeding can be accompanied by symptoms similar to those of the rule. Which sometimes causes it to be confused with the beginning of the period.
Other causes of bleeding in pregnancy
Beyond implantation bleeding, there are other causes of spotting in pregnancy. For example, you may bleed after having sex. Most commonly, this is the cause of irritation to the cervix.
Although it is not a warning sign. It is best to consult with the doctor to check where the problem comes from. However, you must clarify that sexual relations in pregnancy do not affect the baby’s health. So they are not prohibited, except in risky pregnancy cases when the specialist specifies.
When should you see your doctor?
Small losses of blood or light bleeding during the first trimester are usually not a cause for concern. However, bleeding with other symptoms may be a sign of a more serious problem. And you should seek immediate medical attention. These symptoms include:
- cramps and pain;
- fainting or dizziness;
- heavy clots or bleeding;
- severe pain in the pelvis and stomach.
It is also strongly recommended that you see your doctor if your bleeding is bright red. And it is heavy enough to pass through a sanitary napkin. Pelvic pain and vaginal bleeding early in pregnancy can be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy. See your doctor as soon as possible if you have any doubts.
FAQ on Heavy bleeding during early pregnancy
Why does spotting occur in pregnancy?
The blood in pregnancy may be due to different reasons, and it is important to know that you’re quiet. How abundant the bleeding is and the week it occurs will indicate. Whether it is a symptom within the normal range or something, you should consult with your doctor.
Pregnancy with periods: is it possible?
Some women may have transient vaginal bleeding during pregnancy, but it is impossible to have a period. Periods only take place in the absence of pregnancy.
How to achieve a healthy and peaceful pregnancy?
As you can see, there are different types of bleeding in pregnancy. Each has a different cause, and while some shouldn’t alarm you. Others can pose a risk to you and your baby. Given this, the recommendation is to monitor the bleeding and go to the specialist as soon as possible.
Conclusion on Heavy bleeding during pregnancy
In conclusion, in any case, if heavy bleeding occurs during pregnancy. Whatever the stage, it is important to consult your doctor. If these turn out to be benign, there is nothing you can do except getting some rest. On the contrary, if heavy bleeding is a real problem, there are two possibilities. Either it could be a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy.
In this case, the doctor will not act unless the fetus is old enough for a cesarean birth if possible. Either it is a misplaced placenta or a retro-placental hematoma. In this case, the pregnancy will have to be closely monitored and lead to a cesarean section.
