So, you’ve embarked on the incredible journey of early pregnancy, complete with all its exciting twists and turns. But what happens when a little unexpected twist involves some spotting or bleeding? Finding blood in their underwear is something that adds to an expectant mum’s anxiety.
But don’t hit the panic button just yet, because help is here! To help pregnant mums (and concerned dads) in this area, we sought the help of a certified newborn expert, Dr Smily Lock, MBBS, MMed (FM), Head of Healthcare Solutions (Chronic and Long-Term Care) at Speedoc.
We asked pregnant mums in our online community to ask their questions about bleeding in early pregnancy and Dr Lock addressed their queries and shared her insights on whether it is normal, the possible causes, and when spotting and bleeding could be a cause of concern.
Let’s put your worries to rest, mums-to-be, and dive in on this very important topic.
Causes of Bleeding in Early Pregnancy
Why does bleeding occur in early pregnancy? What causes threatened miscarriage?
Common causes of bleeding in early pregnancy include miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy and cervical polyps. Some rarer causes include molar pregnancy and cervical cancer, while causes of bleeding in later parts of pregnancy include placenta previa, abruptio placentae and vasa previa. Threatened miscarriage is vaginal bleeding in an ongoing pregnancy.
Can you explain the potential impact of vaginal exams or sexual intercourse on bleeding during pregnancy?
In any case of bleeding during pregnancy, it is important to avoid sexual intercourse until you have been evaluated by an obstetrician to rule out serious causes. Vaginal examinations should only be done by a medical practitioner, and he or she will decide whether it is safe to proceed based on his or her evaluation.
What is the role of ultrasound examinations in evaluating and diagnosing the causes of bleeding during pregnancy?
Ultrasound examinations are critical in evaluating bleeding in pregnancy. For example, in the case of placenta previa where the placenta is implanted too near the cervix, the diagnosis is made through ultrasound by measuring the distance between the cervix and the placenta.
This diagnosis will seriously affect the obstetrician’s decision on the mode of delivery to avoid heavy bleeding during labour.
Image Source: iStock
I was in week 16 of pregnancy when I experienced bleeding. I also tested COVID-19 positive on that day. Could that be the reason? Or my food intake?
Based on the latest evidence to date, an analysis showed that more than 35,000 people with COVID-19 during pregnancy in 2020 showed a higher rate of preterm delivery than the baseline rate of preterm delivery in the United States.
In addition, there was a higher rate of preterm delivery among people who were infected during the third trimester compared to people who were infected during their first or second trimester.
If you have COVID-19 infection during pregnancy, do inform your obstetrician so that he or she is aware of your condition. With regards to food intake, do avoid certain foods that are not safe for pregnancy such as raw meat, raw eggs, unpasteurised cheeses and yoghurt.
Bloody Situation: When to Worry and Signs to Watch Out For
I’m in my 7th week and had some brown discharge. It’s always very mild and not constantly flowing. Should I be worried about this?
Brown discharge is not uncommon in the first trimester of pregnancy and usually signifies oxidised blood (or ‘old blood’). In such a scenario, do take photos and document the dates that you noticed this and bring it up at your next obstetrician visit.
Are there specific symptoms or patterns of bleeding during pregnancy that may indicate a higher risk or severity of complications?
Any bleeding during pregnancy warrants an assessment by the obstetrician, as the differentiation of the above causes goes beyond just symptoms, and is very dependent on physical examination, (results of the) laboratory test (B-HCG) as well as pelvic ultrasound findings.
What are the potential risks and complications associated with bleeding during pregnancy for both the mother and the baby?
Risks of antepartum haemorrhage (bleeding in pregnancy) to the baby include low oxygen for the baby, preterm birth, and fetal death. There are also complications for the mother, including low blood pressure and anaemia, and serious blood clot formations due to an imbalance of clotting factors.
Image Source: Shutterstock
Can bleeding during pregnancy be a sign of a miscarriage?
Yes, bleeding during pregnancy is a sign of miscarriage – which may be threatened miscarriage, missed miscarriage, inevitable miscarriage, incomplete or complete miscarriage.
Are there any warning signs or symptoms that indicate one should seek immediate medical attention when experiencing bleeding?
Any bleeding during pregnancy warrants an assessment by the obstetrician, as the differentiation of the causes of bleeding in pregnancy goes beyond just symptoms, and are very dependent on physical examination, laboratory test (B-HCG) as well as pelvic ultrasound findings.
Specifically, signs that require ‘immediate’ attention in the accident and emergency department include bleeding with blood clots, intense pelvic pain and fainting or giddiness or low blood pressure (which will signify large amounts of blood loss).
How to Manage Bleeding in Early Pregnancy
Can you provide some guidance on when bed rest may be recommended for managing bleeding during pregnancy?
Are there any specific precautions or considerations I should keep in mind when planning for a vaginal delivery after experiencing bleeding during pregnancy?
In planning for delivery, it will be best to discuss with your gynaecologist on the best mode of delivery (vaginal or c-section) based on the cause of bleeding during pregnancy. Some conditions like placenta previa may require a C-section depending on the placenta’s position. Discuss with your friendly obstetrician on the various options for your pregnancy!
There you have it, mums and dads-to-be. Vital information on bleeding during early pregnancy, straight from the expert. While it could just be an early pregnancy symptom, remember that any vaginal bleeding at any point in your pregnancy warrants a visit to your doctor.
Image Source: iStock
Reminder: Responses provided can be taken as professional opinion and does not replace a medical assessment. Please see a doctor for an assessment if your child requires medical attention.
