While bleeding or spotting can be quite unnerving during pregnancy, most of the time spotting doesn't pose any serious danger to you and your baby. So it's important to know the causes of bleeding at every stage of pregnancy.
Bleeding In The First Trimester
Parents.com says that around 25 to 40 percent of women will experience vaginal bleeding during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. This is but normal and pregnancy usually proceeds without complications.
More so, WebMD says that the main reason for the light bleeding is the implantation of the egg cell to your uterine wall. This usually occurs around 4 weeks into your pregnancy and could be mistaken for a light period. The bleeding is usually very light that will last for a few hours up to a few days.
There's also a possibility that bleeding is a sign of miscarriage, occurring mostly during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. This is often accompanied by strong cramps in the lower abdomen.
Bleeding during the first trimester can be a sign of ectopic pregnancy. This is when the fertilized embryo implants itself outside the uterus, most likely in the fallopian tube. As the embryo grows, the fallopian tube could burst and this can be life-threatening to the mother. Just like miscarriage, it is accompanied by strong cramps and light-headedness.
Bleeding can also be a sign of an infection or hormonal changes. It may also be the result of having sexual intercourse or an internal examination you've undergone, Baby Center adds. Since more blood flows to the cervix during pregnancy, you may experience spotting after intercourse.
Bleeding In The Second And Third Trimester
Bleeding during this time may be more serious compared to the first 20 weeks of your pregnancy. You may still bleed after sexual intercourse. Since cervical checks are done frequently in the third trimester, this could also result in bleeding. Aside from these, causes for bleeding at this time are often serious since ectopic or molar pregnancies are taken out of the equation,
Bleeding on your second and third trimester may be an indication of placenta previa, a condition where the placenta sits low in the uterus and covers the cervix completely or partially. While the bleeding may not be accompanied by any pain, you should seek medical attention right away.
Aside from placenta previa, bleeding can also be a result of placenta abruption. While this rarely happens, this can pose a serious danger to both mother and baby. The placenta usually detaches from the wall of the uterus before or during labor. The blood then pools between the placenta and uterus causing severe vaginal bleeding.
Lastly, bleeding during the last weeks of pregnancy may indicate preterm labor. This is often accompanied by cramping and contractions before your 37th week.
Always remember that any spotting or bleeding is worth mentioning to your doctor. Be sure to report other details of the bleeding like the color, the amount of blood released and the time it happened so your doctor may diagnose your condition properly.
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