Pregnancy Bleeding

Pregnancy is a very fragile time in your life when you want everything to go according to plan. Throughout your pregnancy you will do everything you can to ensure that you deliver a healthy baby. Some of the things you may be doing are eating healthy foods, moderately exercising, attending prenatal doctor visits, and being alerted to any signs of pregnancy complications. Bleeding during pregnancy is one thing that may alert you that something is not going correctly.

Although pregnancy bleeding can be very frightening, it is important to remember that it is actually quite common during the early weeks. Bleeding during pregnancy, however, should not be taken lightly.

Bleeding in the early stages of pregnancy

Bleeding may occur in the early stages of pregnancy, and does not always signal that something is wrong. Spotting, or a small amount of bleeding, may occur when the egg implants itself in the uterine lining. This is called implantation bleeding. This phenomenon occurs so early in the pregnancy, that chances are you don't even know that you are pregnant yet, and it sometimes can be mistaken for a regular period. Usually this occurs about a week before you would begin your normal period.

The overall blood flow in your body is greatly increased during pregnancy. This often times sends more blood to the cervix, which can cause slight bleeding.

Ectopic pregnancy and bleeding during pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy, or tubal pregnancy, occurs when the egg implants itself outside of the uterus. One of the first signs of this type of pregnancy is irregular bleeding. If you are experiencing an ectopic pregnancy, it is imperative that you see your doctor as these pregnancies cannot be carried to term. Your health could be at risk. Bleeding during pregnancy could also be a sign of cervical infections or problems.

Early pregnancy bleeding could be a possible sign of a miscarriage

If bleeding during pregnancy occurs before the twelfth week of pregnancy, and is past the time of implantation bleeding, it could possibly signal miscarriage. It is estimated that miscarriage occurs in fifteen to twenty percent of known pregnancies, and an estimated fifty percent of all pregnancies. Most women do not ever know they were pregnant when most miscarriages occur.

Although bleeding during pregnancy is common during early pregnancy, it could signal a greater problem if it occurs in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Although rare, at this point a miscarriage could still take place. Bleeding during this time could also signal placental problems. The placenta could be peeling away from the uterine wall, or you could be experiencing the rare problem of the placenta covering the cervix.

Spotting during the second or third trimesters

Bleeding during the second or third trimesters could also be a sign of preterm labor, and should be taken very seriously.

Bleeding after thirty six weeks of pregnancy is normal. Many times a woman will have what is called a "bloody show." This happens a week or two before labor begins, and occurs because the cervix is thinning in preparation for labor. The woman looses her mucous plug, which is often tinged with blood.

Pregnancy bleeding can be a scary sight, but sometimes is not a cause for worry. If you are concerned with any bleeding you may have during early pregnancy, it is your prerogative to call your doctor.

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