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All your pregnancy questions answered

Vaginal bleeding in pregnancy

 Bleeding may occur at various times in pregnancy. Although bleeding is alarming, it may or may not be a serious complication. The time of bleeding in the pregnancy, the amount, and whether or not there is pain may vary depending on the cause.

Often for the sake of discussion vaginal bleeding in pregnancy is divided into

• Early pregnancy [before 20 weeks] bleeding and

• Late pregnancy [20-40 weeks] bleeding

Early pregnancy bleeding

The commoner causes of bleeding in early pregnancy are

1. Local causes such as vaginal infections, cervical erosions [ulcers] etc and these are often not serious and easily treatable

2. Miscarriages [Spontaneous abortions]

3. Ectopic pregnancy

4. Molar pregnancy

5. Implantation bleeding-this occurs at the time that the pregnancy is implanting in the wall of the uterus and is again not usually something to be alarmed about

Up to 25% of pregnant women experience spotting, or light vaginal bleeding. Of these women, about 50% do not miscarry.1 Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy is more common among women who have previously been pregnant than in women who are pregnant for the first time. Very early spotting is sometimes the result of the fertilized egg implanting in the uterus. Implantation takes place 6 to 10 days after fertilization, which usually occurs on the day of intercourse.

Late pregnancy bleeding

Again the causes are

1. Local causes such as vaginal infections, cervical erosions [ulcers] etc and these are often not serious and easily treatable

2. Placenta praevia [low lying placenta]

3. Abruptio placenta [placental seperation]

4. Labour Late in pregnancy, vaginal bleeding may be a sign of labor. A plug that covers the opening of the uterus during pregnancy is passed just before or at the start of labor. A small amount of mucus and blood is passed from the cervix. This is called "bloody show." It is common. It is not a problem if it happens within a few weeks of your due date.

For further information, explanations and treatment of each of the above please follow the respective links.

Remember that bleeding in pregnancy should never be taken lightly and you MUST contact your doctor at the earliest.