Bleeding During Pregnancy? What Does It Mean & Should You Consult A Doctor? 

Pregnant spotting is frequent, especially in the first trimester, and is typically not a cause for concern. However, because bleeding can occasionally indicate something dangerous, it's crucial to be aware of its implications and to ensure you and your unborn child are in good health.

First Trimester Bleeding

Within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy or durig first trimester, about 25% of women experience bleeding. Bleeding during pregnancy in the early trimesters can be caused by:

1. Haemorrhage during implantation

During the first six to 12 days following conception, women can notice some spotting while the fertilised egg gets implanted in the uterine wall. Some women confuse this spotting for menstruation, which prevents them from realising they are pregnant. The bleeding often lasts a few hours to a few days and is relatively minor.

2. Miscarriage

Miscarriage is one of the leading causes of first pregnancy spotting since it usually occurs during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Nevertheless, bleeding during the first trimester is not always a sign of miscarriage. In reality, more than 90% of women who experience menstrual discharge in the first trimester can not lose the baby if an ultrasound reveals a heartbeat.

Intense cramping in the abdominal area and tissue flowing through the cervix are further signs of miscarriage.

Also read: 14 Lifesavers For Your First Trimester

3. Ectopic conception

The embryo implantation outside the womb in an ectopic pregnancy, typically in the reproductive tract. The woman's health may be in danger if the fallopian tube bursts due to the embryo's continued growth. Ectopic pregnancy only happens in roughly 2% of pregnancies. Intense cramping or pelvic pain, uterus, and dizziness are signs of an ectopic pregnancy.

4. Uterine pregnancy

It is also called gestational trophoblastic disease. In this rare illness, aberrant tissue develops rather than a baby. Rarely is the cell malignant and has the potential to spread to other major organs. Severe signs and symptoms and uterine enlargement that happen quickly are signs of molar pregnancy.

Dark red blood clots in early pregnancy or spotting during pregnancy might also result from cervical changes. Extra blood rushes to the uterus during pregnancy. Bleeding may occur after sexual activity or a Pap test contacting the uterus. There is no need to be tense about this kind of bleeding.

5. Infectious disease

Bleeding in the first trimester can be caused by a cervical illness, vaginal inflammation, or a contagious illness such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, or herpes.

Also read: Guide: Following A Healthy Diet During Your First Trimester Of Pregnancy

Second and Third-Trimester Bleeding

Since it might indicate a problem with the mother or the unborn child, irregular bleeding in pregnancies in the later stages can be dangerous. If anyone encounters bleeding in the early second or third trimester, call the doctor as soon as possible.

Following are some potential reasons for bleeding in late pregnancy:

1. Antenatal placenta

This syndrome develops when the placenta is lower in the womb and blocks the birth canal's entrance entirely or partially. One in 200 pregnancies in the late third trimester results in placenta previa. Even though it might not hurt, a bleeding placenta previa is an issue that has to be treated right away.

2. Abrupt placentation

The placenta separates from the uterine wall before or during childbirth in roughly 1% of pregnancies, resulting in blood pooling between the placenta and womb. The mother and the child can be in mortal peril from placental abruption. Back pain, vaginal clots, uterine tenderness, nausea, and vomiting are other indicators of placental abruption.

3. Abdominal rupture

Rarely, a pregnancy might cause a previous C-section incision to rip apart. An immediate C-section is necessary if there is a uterine tear since it can be fatal. A further sign of vaginal birth is abdominal pain and soreness.

4. Vasa priori

In this rare circumstance, the placenta or umbilical cord's internal organs or those of the growing baby enter the vaginal opening. Vasa Previa can be highly harmful to the infant since the blood veins may burst, leading to severe bleeding and oxygen deprivation.

Internal bleeding and an irregular fetal heart rate are two symptoms of Vasa Previa.

Also read: Top 10 Tips For The Third Trimester Of Your Pregnancy

5. Preterm delivery

Late-stage vaginal bleeding may mean a person is getting due to giving birth. The mucus block that seals the uterus' entrance will emerge from the vagina a few days and weeks before labour starts, and it will typically contain some blood. Contact the doctor immediately if bleeding in pregnancy and labour starts before the 37th week of pregnancy, as one may be experiencing premature labour.

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Conclusion

The doctor may advise patients to stay as still as possible and refrain from travel and exertion. One should undergo an ultrasound procedure to determine the potential reason for pregnancy bleeding. As part of a thorough examination, abdomen and uterine ultrasounds are frequently carried out simultaneously.

References

1. NHS. (2021). Vaginal bleeding. www.nhs.uk

2. Gelaye B, Sumner SJ, McRitchie S, Carlson JE, Ananth CV, Enquobahrie DA, Qiu C, Sorensen TK, Williams MA. (2016). Maternal Early Pregnancy Serum Metabolomics Profile and Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding as Predictors of Placental Abruption: A Prospective Study. NCBI

3. Juan Yang, Katherine E. Hartmann, David A. Savitz, Amy H. Herring, Nancy Dole, Andrew F. Olshan, John M. Thorp, Jr., (2004). Vaginal Bleeding during Pregnancy and Preterm Birth. American Journal of Epidemiology