Bleeding during pregnancy can scare a pregnant woman like nothing else, but is it always a cause for concern? There are many explanations for bleeding during pregnancy. It is important to consider the stage of pregnancy in which the bleeding occurs, any risk factors you may have, and what you were doing before the bleeding started.
Bleeding during the first trimester of pregnancy does not always indicate a miscarriage. Many healthy babies have been born to mothers who experienced bleeding early on in their pregnancy.
Implantation bleeding is a common cause of bleeding in early pregnancy. As the egg implants in the uterus it can cause a small amount of pink or brownish blood around the time that you would normally expect your period. Implantation bleeding is very light and not like having a period. This is a healthy sign that your baby has found a comfortable home for the next 9 months.
A subchorionic hematoma is a small pocket of blood behind the placenta that is often found early in pregnancy. This condition is generally found through the use of ultrasound after a pregnant woman experiences vaginal bleeding. Subchorionic hematomas can make miscarriage more likely but most of the time they reabsorb into the body by the 12th week of pregnancy. Your OB will likely monitor the size of the bleed through routine ultrasounds until the bleed begins to shrink in size.
A sensitive cervix can cause bleeding during the first few months of pregnancy and is not an indication of any problem with the pregnancy. The cervix is very sensitive during pregnancy, especially as your body adjusts to being pregnant. Any irritation can cause the cervix to bleed slightly, including intercourse, routine vaginal exams, pap smears, and heavy activity.
Low Progesterone can cause bleeding throughout the first trimester if it is not treated from the beginning of pregnancy. If your doctor suspects that you may have low progesterone he will likely run a blood panel to confirm your progesterone levels. Progesterone levels that are too low can cause a miscarriage. If low progesterone is caught early enough, your OB can start you on progesterone supplements to raise your progesterone levels. While progesterone supplements do have some negative side-effects, they can often help raise your progesterone levels high enough to prevent miscarriage.
Miscarriage causes heavy bleeding and cramping. Brownish blood is generally old blood that may have come from the cervix but if you experience bright red blood or period-like bleeding it is important to contact your OB immediately. While most miscarriages run their course naturally, heavy bleeding may indicate a need for medical intervention. There is often nothing a doctor can do to prevent a miscarriage but if you suspect that you may be having a miscarriage, your doctor can either confirm your suspicions or reassure you that everything is okay.
