Bleeding during pregnancy

During Early Pregnancy: Bleeding during any phase of pregnancy could be a signal of danger; you should get in touch with your doctor immediately if you have any vaginal bleeding at all during your pregnancy. Vaginal bleeding by and large refers to abnormal bleeding and is different from a menstrual period. Any bleeding during early pregnancy, specifically in the initial 3 months, is called first trimester bleeding. Bleeding at this time may range from spotting all the way up to severe clotting. This is a common problem, and can cause complications in 20-30% of cases. Up to 50% of these, may actually have a miscarriage. Also, up to 3% of all cases are ectopic. In other words the fetus is not located inside the uterus but in one of the fallopian tubes. This could be a life threatening condition for the mother. All early pregnancy bleeding should be evaluated immediately by your obstetrician.

Causes of Vaginal Bleeding: Vaginal bleeding during the first trimester of pregnancy can be caused by several different factors. There may be minor spotting or light bleeding caused by the implantation of the embryo into the wall of the uterus, known as implantation bleeding. This is a normal in pregnancy and not a worrisome. Bleeding after sex can also be normal during pregnancy. Bleeding may sometimes be caused by reasons unrelated to the pregnancy. Trauma or tears to the vaginal wall, and some infections may cause bleeding. Hemorrhoids are blood vessels that have become unusually swollen that show up in the rectal area. Pregnancy makes one prone to hemorrhoids, and varicose veins. The growing uterus adds to this by putting pressure on your pelvic veins. Constipation, another common symptom during pregnancy, is also known to cause or worsen hemorrhoids. In addition, an increase in certain hormone levels, like progesterone, during pregnancy can cause the venal walls to relax, making them swell more easily. Progesterone is also known to contribute to constipation, as one of its effects is slowing down digestion in the intestinal tract and can lead to rectal bleeding. Swollen, tender gums that bleed when you floss or brush are a common complaint during pregnancy. They're caused by higher progesterone levels, which make your gums react more to the bacteria in plaque, and by an increased blood supply to your mouth. This affects about half of all pregnant women. You may be heading for a miscarriage if you are suffering from heavy bleeding or cramping. The fetus may still be located in utero, but things could go wrong. This can be caused by a urinary tract infection, by dehydration, use of certain drugs or medications, and trauma, abnormality in the developing fetus, or for no seemingly apparent reason. In general, miscarriages are not caused by heavy lifting, normal sexual activity, or stress. Another possible cause for bleeding is an ectopic pregnancy. Sometimes known as a tubal pregnancy, it is the most worrying cause of bleeding in the first trimester. As the embryo grows, it can rupture the fallopian tube and cause serious life-threatening problems. Symptoms for an ectopic pregnancy may include bleeding, pain, and lightheadedness. Most cases of ectopic pregnancy show symptoms and cause pain before the tenth week. Unless treated immediately, development of the fetus will stop and it will die due to the lack of nutrients. This happens in up to 3% of all cases of pregnancy.