| Bleeding During Pregnancy |
| Written by Ann Smith | |
Bleeding During Pregnancy: What's Happening?Bleeding during pregnancy is one of the most worrisome conditions for women. There is no doubt that this should be a concern to you. The amount of a problem it is depends on where you are in your pregnancy as well as your medical history. If you see any type of pregnancy bleeding, it is important for you to call your doctor as soon as possible. He or she will advise you on whether you should come in to the office or if there is nothing to worry about. This will differ from one person to the next.What Could It Be?Bleeding during pregnancy can be a symptom of pregnancy especially during the first months of your pregnancy. When it happens in the first weeks of pregnancy, you may not have anything to worry about, especially if it is light bleeding. Pregnancy during the first weeks that is heavy could be a symptom of something that is much more troublesome and you should seek out help from your doctor immediately.One of the things that could happen during the first 10 to 14 days of pregnancy that can cause bleeding is implantation. This is just as small amount of vaginal bleeding that happens early on when the fertilized egg attaches itself to your uterus. If your bleeding during pregnancy happens this early in the stage, you may mistake it for your period, though it will likely be much lighter and a lighter color. Many people mistakenly believe that it is the first sign of menstruation and therefore do not realize that they are pregnant. Another non threatening cause of bleeding during pregnancy is cervical changes. If you have just had a pelvic exam or you have sex and experience some bleeding this is generally just from the flow of blood to the cervix and is harmless. There are additional problems that you could experience that may not be as simple to understand. For example, sometimes bleeding during pregnancy could be a sign of a miscarriage. About 15 percent of pregnancies will result in a miscarriage for one of many reasons. Vaginal bleeding is the first and usually the only sign of miscarriage. Still, not all bleeding during your pregnancy will mean that you are going to have a miscarriage. Additional conditions can cause bleeding. Another situation is an ectopic pregnancy where the embryo implants itself outside of your uterus. This sometimes happens on the fallopian tube. These pregnancies cannot survive. You will need to seek medical attention for this situation as a large amount of blood loss here could be life threatening. Sometimes, cramps during pregnancy may be a symptom of an ectopic pregnancy. Other situations are rarer but also can be a contributor of bleeding. This may include a molar pregnancy where an abnormal mass forms in the uterus after fertilization. This is not a baby, though. An infection, such as one of the cervix can cause bleeding, especially during the first weeks of pregnancy. What To Do?If you have any bleeding during pregnancy that is either considered moderate or heavy, contact your doctor right away. Also, symptoms of complications of pregnancy may include abdominal pain, cramping, fever and chills or if you pass any type of tissue through the vagina.Your doctor will work with you quickly to establish the cause of your bleeding during pregnancy. If there is anything to help you, the doctors will provide this assurance to you. In some situations, there is little that can be done, but most women even those that experience bleeding now, will deliver healthy babies. Your doctor should be your resource here. |
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