Spotting is a common concern that many pregnant women face. Approximately 20% of women report they
experience spotting during their first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Bleeding that
occurs early on in pregnancy is usually lighter in flow than a menstrual
period. Also, the color often varies from red to brown.
(Read more: 6 Very Early Pregnancy symptoms)
Although it is easy to be concerned, don’t panic. The majority
of women who experiencing spotting during pregnancy go on to have a healthy
pregnancy and baby.
How
can you tell the difference between Spotting and Bleeding?
If what you see is brown or
pink, similar to what you see at the end of your period, that’s spotting. If
it’s bright red, consider it bleeding. The amount of blood you see is another
red flag: Spotting doesn't soak a sanitary napkin; bleeding may.
Cause
of light bleeding in pregnancy
In early pregnancy, spotting
and light bleeding is often harmless. It usually happens at about the same time
that your period would have been due, and may last for a day or two. You may
only notice it after you have been to the toilet and wiped.
(Read more :Very Early Signs and Symptoms of Having TWINS)
Though experts aren't sure why
this bleeding happens, it may be due to:
Hormones that control your
menstrual cycle triggering bleeding (breakthrough bleeding). You may have this
more than once.
The fertilised egg embedding
into your uterus lining, causing bleeding (implantation bleeding). Though this
is less likely to be the cause than breakthrough bleeding.
More
causes of light bleeding
There may be other things going
on inside your body that have caused some bleeding:
Irritation to your your cervix.
Pregnancy hormones can change the surface of the cervix, making it more likely
to bleed, such as after you have sex.
Fibroids, which are growths in
the lining of your uterus. Sometimes, the placenta embeds where there is a
fibroid.
A small, harmless growth on
your cervix (cervical polyp).
A cervical or vaginal
infection.
An inherited disorder, such as
Von Willebrand Disease, which makes it more difficult for your blood to clot.
What
should I do if I notice bleeding?
Call a doctor, midwife or the
hospital, even if the bleeding eventually stops. You may need to go to hospital
for further examination.
Your doctor may gently examine
inside your vagina, or she may advise you to have an ultrasound scan. A scan
can rule out an ectopic pregnancy and check that your baby is well.
Your doctor may want to do a
few routine tests. Blood or urine tests can check your pregnancy hormone
levels. A test to check your blood group and rhesus status may also be done.
Will
my baby be safe?
Your baby is likely to be fine,
as spotting or light bleeding is often harmless. Many pregnancies carry on, despite
early bleeding problems.
If the bleeding signalled a
miscarriage, you'd develop tummy cramps as well, and the bleeding would usually
get heavier. Spotting or light bleeding often stops on its own. It's thought
that about half of mums-to-be who ask for medical help because of early bleeding
go on to have their baby.
If you have spotting or
bleeding in pregnancy, talk to your doctor or midwife, even if it stops, to
make sure that you have no other symptoms that may signal a problem.
Try to stay positive. Spotting
or light bleeding is likely to turn out to be no more than a worrying blip in
your pregnancy that you'll soon be able to put behind you.
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