Pregnancy-related bleeding is common, particularly in the first trimester. Most of the time, it’s nothing to worry about. However, since bleeding might occasionally indicate a more serious medical issue, it’s critical to understand the potential causes and see a doctor to ensure your health and the health of your unborn child.
Bleeding with the First Pregnancy
Is bleeding typical in the first trimester of pregnancy?
During the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, up to 25% of women experience some vaginal bleeding. Usually, this is nothing to worry about and is typical. Many women who bleed at this period go on to become pregnant normally and give birth to healthy children.
Pregnancy-related spotting or light bleeding is typically not cause for alarm. Larger bleeding, however, that soaks through a pad or pantyliner, is abnormal. Any bleeding you experience during the first trimester should be reported to your doctor straight immediately. To ensure the health of both you and your child, your doctor will assist you in determining the cause and provide guidance on what to do next.
What is the reason behind bleeding in the first trimester?
First trimester bleeding may result from the following possible causes:
Haemorrhage during implantation: Within the first six to twelve days following conception, you could notice some typical spotting when the fertilised egg installs itself in the uterine lining. Some women confuse this bleeding for a light period, so they are unaware that they are pregnant. The bleeding often lasts a few hours to a few days and is quite light.
Miscarriage: Miscarriage is typically one of the main worries during the first trimester of pregnancy because it occurs most frequently during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. First trimester bleeding, however, does not always indicate that you have lost or may miscarry. According to research, there is a decreased risk of miscarriage if an ultrasound reveals a foetal heartbeat.
Tissue flowing through the vagina and severe lower abdominal cramps are further signs of miscarriage.
Ectopic Pregnancy: The fertilised embryo implants, or attaches, outside the uterus in an ectopic pregnancy, generally in the fallopian tube. The mother’s life may be at danger if the embryo continues to grow and bursts the fallopian tube. Ectopic pregnancy only happens in roughly 2% of pregnancies, despite the fact that it can be deadly.
Additional signs of an ectopic pregnancy include dizziness and severe lower abdominal cramping or pain.
Molar Pregnancy: This extremely rare disorder, also known as gestational trophoblastic disease, causes aberrant tissue to form inside the uterus rather than a baby. Rarely, the tissue develops cancer and has the potential to spread to other bodily parts.
Severe nausea and vomiting are further signs of molar pregnancy. As your uterus expands, your belly may also enlarge rapidly.
Early pregnancy bleeding can also result from other factors, such as:
Cervical alterations: Extra blood rushes to the cervix during pregnancy. Bleeding can occur as a result of Pap tests and sexual activity that makes contact with the cervix. There is no need for concern with this kind of bleeding.
Infection: First trimester bleeding can be caused by any infection of the cervix, vagina, or sexually transmitted infection (such as gonorrhoea, herpes, or chlamydia). If you have an infection, your doctor will need to treat you.
Smoking: Smoking during pregnancy may result in unusual bleeding. If you wish to stop smoking when you are pregnant, go to your doctor for support.
Subchorionic hematoma: This occurs when a clot of blood forms in the space where the amniotic sac of your unborn child joins the wall of your uterus. Although there are rarely any symptoms associated with this blood accumulation, it might occasionally result in little haemorrhage.
Bleeding in the Second and Third Trimesters
Since abnormal bleeding in late pregnancy may indicate a health issue with you or your unborn child, it may be more serious. If you bleed during the second or third trimester, contact your doctor right away.
What is the cause of the second and third trimester bleeding?
Here are a few possible reasons why a late-pregnancy may bleed:
Placenta previa: This disorder develops when the placenta lies low in the uterus, covering the birth canal entrance either entirely or partially. Placenta previa is an extremely uncommon condition that affects approximately 1 in 200 pregnancies in the late third trimester. Even though placenta previa bleeding might occur painlessly, it is an emergency that needs to be treated right away.
Placental Abruption: The placenta separates from the uterine wall either before or during labour in approximately 1% of pregnancies, causing blood to collect between the placenta and the uterus. The mother and child may be in grave risk in the event of placental abruption.
Back ache, sensitive uterus, vaginal clots, and abdominal pain are other indications and symptoms of placental abruption.
Uterine rupture: Rarely, a pregnancy might cause a scar from a prior C-section to rupture. A life-threatening uterine rupture necessitates an urgent caesarean procedure.
Anxiety and discomfort in the abdomen are further signs of uterine rupture.
Vasa Previa: The placenta or umbilical cord blood vessels in the growing newborn bridge the birth canal opening in this extremely uncommon disorder. Because the blood vessels may burst, severely cutting the infant and depriving them of oxygen, valvular previa can be extremely harmful for the unborn child.
Excessive bleeding and an irregular foetal heart rate are two other indications of vasa previa.
Premature labour: Late-stage pregnancy vaginal bleeding may simply indicate that your body is preparing to give birth. The mucus plug covering the uterine hole will come out of the vagina a few days or weeks prior to labour starting, and it typically contains tiny amounts of blood (a condition known as “bloody show”). You may be in preterm labour if you start experiencing labour signs and bleeding before the 37th week of pregnancy. Speak with your doctor immediately.
Contractions, vaginal discharge, stomach pressure, and lower back pain are further signs of preterm labour.
There are several reasons why a late-pregnant woman may bleed:
a. Injury to the cervix or vagina
b. Polyps
c. Cancer