A common occurrence in the first 8 weeks of pregnancy is bleeding, and it’s usually not a cause for concern. Knowing the probable causes and being checked out by your doctor to make sure both you and your baby are healthy is vital because bleeding can be a sign of something more serious.
Pregnancy-Associated Bleeding
During the first 8 weeks of pregnancy, about 20% of women have some bleeding. Pregnancy-related reasons for bleeding during the first trimester include:
As your fertilized egg implants in the uterine lining, you may notice some spotting for six to 12 days following conception. Pregnancy can go unnoticed by some women who mistake this bleeding for their period. Bleeding can linger anywhere from a few hours to a few days depending on the severity of the situation.
Miscarriage: Because miscarriage occurs most frequently in the first 8 weeks of pregnancy, it is a major cause for concern when women experience heavy bleeding during their first weeks of pregnancy. If you begin to bleed during the first trimester of pregnancy, this does not necessarily mean you have miscarried or that you have lost the baby. For the most part, women who suffer vaginal bleeding in the first trimester of pregnancy are not going to miscarry if the heartbeat can be detected on ultrasound.
Other Causes of Bleeding during early pregnancy
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Bleeding in the first 6 weeks of pregnancy is not common, but it causes fear and anxiety to the expectant mother. Bleeding during pregnancy might be totally natural in some cases. A failing pregnancy or miscarriage can also be a sign of this, as an issue with the placenta or early labour.
If you’re experiencing bleeding, it’s best to see your doctor. The safety of you and your child is of the utmost importance to you. Some typical causes of mild bleeding in the womb are listed here for your consideration:
1. Implantation of the Embryo Is Due to begin
Light bleeding is one of the first signs of pregnancy. It’s possible that if you’re trying to get pregnant and you start bleeding around the time of your expected period, you’re pregnant after all. At roughly 10-12 days following fertilization, a pregnant woman’s uterus begins to bleed heavily. Fecundity is achieved during a woman’s 28-day monthly cycle, with implantation following 10-12 days after that. As a result, this bleeding can be misinterpreted for a period. As a result of this, it is usually lighter and lasts only a few days rather than a week or more.
2. You’re Going Through a Light Phase
Even though it may sound absurd, it is possible to have your period while pregnant, which implies that you will experience some spotting. Pregnancy bleeding can begin as early as week 6 or as late as week 8. When a woman’s period generally occurs in the second month, this is the time. Even a few years beyond menopause, some women are still experiencing menstruation. An 8-week period of bleeding is typical in pregnancy, as the body is used to shedding every month. However, in contrast to normal menstrual blood, this bleeding is usually very mild and just consists of spotting or brown blood.
3. You Engaged in Sexual Intercourse
Being sexually active when expecting a child is a great deal of pleasure, and it’s even encouraged! If you notice spotting thereafter, it’s generally nothing to worry about. Many women will begin to experience spotting after a sexual encounter as their pregnancies proceed. Cervical vascularization causes this symptom, which is completely natural. Minor spotting can occur if you bump it because of intercourse. There are many women who experience this and as long as the streaking or spots are minor, it’s typically not a cause for concern.
4. Bleeding can also occur after pelvic check
Don’t worry if you notice some bleeding following a doctor’s visit. After an ultrasound or pelvic check by your doctor or medical practitioner, you may notice a small amount of blood. A normal increase in blood flow to the uterus and cervix is the cause of this.
5. It could be a sign of Infection
When it comes to vaginal issues, pregnancy doesn’t give you a pass to avoid them. There is still a chance that an infection could cause a small amount of blood to occur. It is possible for a woman with a vaginal infection, like yeast, to have some cervical bleeding.
When You Should Be More Concerned if you are bleeding during pregnancy
Bleeding is more distressing when it is heavy (more so than on the heaviest day of a normal menstrual cycle and accompanied by abdominal discomfort.
The chance of miscarriage rises to about 30% if significant bleeding occurs, which is why any bleeding should be taken seriously.
If you’re in a lot of pain or bleeding a lot, you should visit a doctor immediately. Otherwise, make a note of the symptoms you’re experiencing, such as the color, frequency, duration, and amount of bleeding you’re experiencing so you may alert your doctor or midwife.
Pregnancy Abnormal Bleeding: What to Do?
Call your doctor if you experience vaginal bleeding at any time throughout your pregnancy, especially during the third trimester. You should wear a pad to keep track of how much blood you’re shedding and to record the sort of blood you’re producing. Test any vaginal tissue that you receive from your doctor. While you are still bleeding, avoid using a tampon or engaging in sexual activity.
You may be advised by your doctor to rest as much as possible and avoid any form of physical activity or travel.
In order to determine the source of your bleeding, an ultrasound is required. It is not uncommon to combine the use of both vaginal and abdominal ultrasounds in a single examination.
Visit the doctor for emergency if you have any of the following symptoms, which could indicate a miscarriage or other major issue:
- Intense pain or cramping in the lower abdomen.
- Shockingly heavy bleeding, whether or not there is pain.
- A vaginal discharge including tissue
- Feeling lightheaded or faint
- Chest pains
- Fever
In conclusion, Even though occasional bleeding isn’t harmful, it might also indicate a more significant issue is going on. Around 6 to 8 weeks into the pregnancy, women begin to experience bleeding as a result of a miscarriage. Heavy cramps, followed by a heavier than typical menstruation, are the first sign that you’re pregnant. Women in these situations may have experienced a decrease in their pregnancy symptoms prior to the onset of miscarriage bleeding. This stokes the fires of anxiety regarding the pregnancy’s viability.
