Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor
Medically Reviewed on 11/1/2021
Doctor's Notes on Bleeding During Pregnancy
Vaginal bleeding during the first trimester of pregnancy is fairly common, occurring in up to 20% of pregnancies. In most cases, vaginal bleeding during early pregnancy is not a cause for concern. Implantation bleeding is light bleeding that occurs at the time of implantation of the fertilized egg in the uterine lining. Other causes for early bleeding in pregnancy are changes in the cervix and vaginal infections.
In some cases, vaginal bleeding can be a sign of a serious problem such as impending miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. Symptoms associated with a miscarriage may include abdominal or back pain. Abdominal or pelvic pain is also a symptom associated with ectopic pregnancy. If a vaginal infection is the cause of bleeding during pregnancy, a vaginal discharge may be present.
It is appropriate to seek medical advice any time you experience bleeding during pregnancy.
What Is the Treatment for Bleeding During Pregnancy?
Treatment for vaginal bleeding in pregnancy varies depending on the cause of the bleeding.
- Minor bleeding early in the pregnancy may not require any treatment.
- Antibiotics are used to treat infections associated with bleeding.
- Bleeding due to miscarriage is sometimes managed by medications or a minor surgical procedure if heavy bleeding is present.
- An ectopic pregnancy is commonly treated by a medication, but in some cases, surgery may be necessary.
Must Read Articles:
-
Dilation and Curettage (D&C)
The dilation and curettage procedure (D&C). This is a safe procedure that a woman may need to have performed for a variety of reasons such as irregularbleeding, bleeding after menopause, uterine fibroids or polyps, or a treatment when the source is already known. -
Eclampsia
Eclampsia, a life-threatening complication of pregnancy, and results when a pregnant woman diagnosed with preeclampsia (high blood pressure and protein in the urine) develops the symptoms of seizures or coma. Causes of eclampsia are unknown. Signs and symptoms of eclampsia include: High blood pressure Increased urine production Decreased kidney function Nervous system changes (severe headaches, blurred vision, seeing spots) Upper abdominal pain Treatment for is delivery of the baby. -
Ectopic Pregnancy
Ectopic pregnancy is a condition in which a pregnancy develops inside of a Fallopian tube or outside of a woman's uterus. Causes and risk factors for ectopic pregnancy include previous Fallopian tube infections (pelvic inflammatory disease, Chlamydia, gonorrhea), previous surgery to the abdomen, use of fertility medications, prior tubal pregnancy, and use of an IUD. Symptoms of ectopic pregnancy include pelvic pain and vaginal bleeding. If you suspect you have an ectopic pregnancy, medical care should be sought urgently. -
Miscarriage
A miscarriage (spontaneous abortion) is a pregnancy that spontaneously ends before the fetus can survive. There are classifications of miscarriage that include threatened, inevitable, incomplete, and complete miscarriage. There are a variety of causes of a miscarriage. Causes of miscarriage include defective genes of the fetus, chronic illness, including diabetes, severe high blood pressure, kidney disease, lupus, and underactive or overactive thyroid gland, acute infections, including Germany measles, CMV, and mycoplasma (walking pneumonia), diseases and abnormalities of the internal female organs, and other factors, including certain drugs like alcohol, tobacco, and cocaine. Symptoms and signs of a miscarriage are vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain, and cramping. If a woman thinks she may be having a miscarriage, she should seek medical care with her doctor or go to an emergency department. -
Placenta Previa in Pregnancy
Placenta previa (also called low lying placenta) is a complication of pregnancy in which the placenta rests low in the uterus (womb) and covers all or part of the opening to the cervix. Causes include scarring, prior caesarian delivery, prior D&C procedure, and smoking, among other causes. The main symptom is bleeding. Treatment may include caesarian delivery. -
Pregnancy Week by Week
Pregnancy occurs when an egg is fertilized by a sperm, grows inside a woman's uterus (womb), and develops into a baby. In humans, this process takes about 280 days. -
Pregnancy: Early Signs and Symptoms
The symptoms of early pregnancy a pregnant woman may experience include missed periods, abdominal bloating, nausea and vomiting, breast tenderness and pain, food cravings, fatigue, frequent urination, elevated body temperature, changes in nipple color, darkening of the skin (melasma), mood swings, stress, headaches, and other symptoms. -
Threatened Miscarriage
A threatened miscarriage is any vaginal bleeding other than spotting during early pregnancy. There may be causes for a threatened miscarriage such as an abnormal fetus, chronic illness of the mother, acute infections, and other factors (alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs). -
Vaginal Bleeding (Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding Between Periods)
In women, abnormal vaginal bleeding when is when they are not on their period (menstruation). Symptoms of abnormal vaginal bleeding outside of your period include red blood on the underwear or pajamas, pelvic or abdominal pain, and excessive pain from menstruating, or if you are pregnant. Causes of abnormal vaginal bleeding include unbalanced hormones, during pregnancy, after trauma, uterine fibroids, menopause, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Treatment for abnormal bleeding depends on the cause of the bleeding. Talk to your doctor or another healthcare professional if you have any abnormal vaginal bleeding. -
What's the Difference Between Mucus Plug and Bloody Show?
While a woman is pregnant, a mucus plug acts as a barrier and blocks the opening to the uterus (the cervix) to prevent bacteria from entering the uterus. Bloody show sounds dramatic, but it’s a normal part of pregnancy that describes a discharge of both mucus and blood that occurs right before labor. "Bloody show" may include the mucus plug, but is not a synonym for "mucus plug."
REFERENCE:
Kasper, D.L., et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.