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Bleeding in early pregnancy

Bleeding in early pregnancy is not always a problem. Early pregnancy spotting can be implantation bleeding or hormonal bleeding, both common in the first trimester. But heavier bleeding early in your pregnancy may be sign something is wrong


Posted: 10 April 2011
by Jayne Braithwaite

Woman in bathroom holding her stomach in pain
Find out whether your bleeding in early pregnancy is a cause for concern or not

Don't panic about early pregnancy bleeding

Bleeding can be alarming but try not to panic as it doesn't necessarily mean there's a problem. Bleeding in early pregnancy (your first trimester, which lasts until week 13) is quite common and in many cases it's no threat to your pregnancy.

But you should always report any bleeding to your doctor or midwife: In some cases bleeding is sign of a miscarriage.

The most common causes of bleeding early in pregnancy are implantation bleeding and hormonal bleeding. Neither is a sign of a problem with the pregnancy.

Implantation bleeding

Early implantation bleeding happens when the embryo and placenta implant in the walls of the uterus. This usually appears as light spotting and some women mistake it for a very light period. But as not all women experience implantation bleeding, if you haven't noticed it, it doesn't mean that you're not pregnant.
    
Other symptoms of pregnancy you might not realise you have

Hormonal bleeding

Similar to implantation bleeding, this may occur around the time you'd usually have your period and is caused by early pregnancy hormonal changes in your levels of oestrogen and progesterone. It is usually light.

What else are your pregnancy hormones causing?

Threatened miscarriage

Light bleeding is sometimes called a "threatened miscarriage". If only threatened, the bleeding stops and the pregnancy develops as normal. But do head to your doctor for a checkup, as much for your peace of mind as anything else.

Miscarriage   

Heavy blood loss accompanied by stomach pain indicates a miscarriage. Clots may appear within the heavy blood flow and if this is foetal tissue, a miscarriage is inevitable.

Find out more about recognising the signs of miscarriage and when to go to hospital.</a>    

What to do

Bleeding at any time of your pregnancy should be reported to your midwife. Try and give as much information as you can about the type of bleeding you are experiencing, including flow, consistency, colour and whether there are any clots or other bits of tissue along with the blood.

Your doctor will be able to find out more by conducting an examination. If you are diagnosed with a threatened miscarriage you'll usually be advised to get plenty of rest, avoid heavy exercise, cut back on work and avoid stress and sex until the bleeding has stopped. More often than not, women with a threatened miscarriage will go on to develop a healthy pregnancy.

If the doctor finds that your cervix is dilating or evidence that something is wrong with the foetus, then unfortunately this is a miscarriage and there is little they can do.

If you do suffer a miscarriage it's important to remember that miscarriages are very common, and women who have a miscarriage won't necessarily have to go through the experience again. Most will go on to carry a healthy pregnancy to term.

It's also important to know that you are not to blame for a miscarriage. Even when experienced at an early stage, miscarriages can be a very difficult experience. Needing time to recover both physically and emotionally is perfectly normal. Make sure you and your partner feel ready before you try again..     

Read more on early pregnancy


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Discuss this story

Hi
I am about 12.5 weeks so far into my pregnancy, I have experineced bleedling around 5/6 weeks and then nothing until about 10 weeks where I was experineced more bleeding and then gagain nothing until this morning where I seem to be bleeding again.
It is extremley worrying, the first two times I was bleeding I was sent to the early pregnancy assessment unit where they could not find any reason for the bleeding, I have not contacted my doctor for my bleeding this time as I have my scan appointment tomorrow so I guess I will just wait and see until then.
I have heard stories where some people experince bleeding throughout their whole pregnancy, has anyone else got any experinec in this?

Posted: 28/12/2006 at 10:08

Hi Caroline

Your pregnacy sounds a bit like my one. I too had bleeding at 6 weeks and then again at 7 weeks and then again at 11.5 weeks. It is really scary (especially as I have had 2 miscarriages already this last year) My doctor said that it can sometimes coincide with when you would have had a period. But they couldn't really give me any definite answers. I'm now 14 weeks and I still get the occasional bit of spotting but I never have any really bad cramping pains (which apparenlty can be a good sign). It's not as uncommon as you think - a couple of people I know have told me they too had bleeding on and off all through their pregnancy, but they've now got healthy babies. So just try not to worry too much (easier said than done, I know. I'm sure that your scan tomorrow will be fine. I'll keep my fingers crossed!

Vicky x

Posted: 28/12/2006 at 10:39


Hi, Vicky and Caroline

Did you have any other changes in symptoms when you bled at early stage?
I am around 8 weeks, and bled after sex, but had been suffering with all day sickness, the day after bled sickness has completly stopped?! I've not had anymore bleeding and cant go doctors until tues!!
Not sure if the two are linked or if i've just finished my sickness stage??

Your help would be great! Chell x x

Posted: 31/12/2006 at 13:39

Hi Everyone,

Went for my 22 week scan and they told me the reason I was bleeding was because I have a Low lying placenta does anyone else have this? Im still bleeding but it is darker in colour and the pressure pains I have are terrible Im now 23 weeks preg and if the pains are bad now what are they going to be like in another couple of months I tread to think I won`t be able to walk.

Posted: 02/01/2007 at 12:27

Hi Chell

When I bled early in pregnancy, I didn't have any other symptons and unfortunately I ended up miscarrying twice, (but I also didn't 'feel' pregnant anymore) On my 3rd time of falling pregnant (and I still have had some bleeding with this one) I suffered from all day sickness and had really bad headaches but I think that was just because of the pregnancy hormones. I have to say though - when I did see my GP this time round, she told me to refrain from sex for a while, which I did (hubby wasn't too impressed.... but he understood!!) I'm now just over 14 weeks and my sickness and headaches have stopped - finally.

All I'd say is just rest as much as you can until you see your doctor - good luck!

Posted: 02/01/2007 at 12:45

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