Is Spotting During Pregnancy Normal?

Pregnancy is supposed to be a beautiful, magical time in a woman’s life. You’re creating a new life. It’s growing within you. It’s 40 weeks in which you are creating a miracle, but it’s not always as magical as you might expect. Many women suffer from pregnancy symptoms that are much less than pleasant. This includes vomiting, frequent nausea, migraine headaches, fatigue, and many other symptoms. Other women suffer from symptoms that are far worse – even terrifying. Some women experience spotting during pregnancy.

Spotting During Pregnancy

Bleeding during pregnancy is scary. While it’s not actually all that uncommon, it’s still one of the most terrifying moments in a woman’s life. The vision of blood when she uses the restroom, no matter how insignificant an amount it is, is nothing short of terrifying. Why? Because even though some spotting during pregnancy is completely normal and of no concern to you or your doctor, spotting can be the first sign that something is wrong with your pregnancy.

Spotting is often the first sign of a miscarriage. A miscarriage is the loss of a baby. For this reason, when women see blood, they panic. It’s not an unnatural occurrence. What do you do when you first see blood during your pregnancy? Call your doctor immediately. Even though it’s likely nothing to be concerned about, it’s always better to allow your doctor to check your cervix and perform an ultrasound right away.

Spotting During Pregnancy At The First Trimester

The good news is that nearly 20 percent of all expectant mothers experience spotting during the first trimester of their pregnancies and nothing is at all wrong with her or the baby. Bleeding at this point in pregnancy can mean many things. It can be implantation bleeding, which typically occurs in the first weeks of pregnancy. It happens when a fertilized egg works its way into the uterine wall.

Cervical changes can also cause bleeding in the first trimester of pregnancy. This could be natural from the growing uterus or it could be caused by a pap smear or even sexual intercourse. Additionally, any infections as well as the presence of any sexually transmitted disease can also cause bleeding at this point in pregnancy. While they are not the biggest concern to your child, they must be treated right away.

Unfortunately, not all first trimester bleeding is innocuous. On occasion, it is caused by miscarriage. Additionally, bleeding during the first trimester can be caused by an ectopic pregnancy, which is also known as a tubal pregnancy. When this occurs, the fertilized egg implants outside of your uterus and continues to grow. This typically occurs in the fallopian tube and can cause it to rupture, threatening the life of the mother. Fortunately, it only happens in 2 percent of all pregnancies.

Finally, a molar pregnancy could have occurred. This happens when regular tissue makes its way into your uterus and grows in place of a baby. It can have many of the same symptoms as pregnancy without the actual baby.

Spotting During Pregnancy At The Last Trimester

When you experience spotting during the last trimester of your pregnancy, it’s a cause for concern. Do not hesitate to call your doctor immediately. This can signal major problems that not only harm the health of your unborn child but of you as well.

Placenta Previa is a common cause of third trimester bleeding. It is caused by a low-lying placenta, which sits on top of the birth canal. It happens in one of every 200 pregnancies. Placental abruption occurs in only one percent of pregnancies. This happens when the placenta removes itself from the wall of your uterus before labor and/or during labor. It causes blood to pool between the uterus and the placenta, which can cause a lot of harm to you and your baby.

A uterine rupture can occur when a scar from a previous C-Section tears. It’s a dangerous situation that requires immediate medical attention and an immediate emergency C-Section to remove the baby before any harm is done to him or her or to you.

Vasa previa is a dangerous cause of late pregnancy bleeding. In this situation, the blood vessels of your baby’s placenta or umbilical cord cross your birth canal’s opening. This causes the baby’s vessels to tear and open, causing the baby to slowly bleed out and/or lose too much oxygen. It requires immediate medical attention.

Finally, if you have premature labor, you might begin to bleed. This simply means your body is getting ready to deliver a baby. When this happens before 37 weeks gestation, it is dangerous. This is premature labor and it can mean you and your baby are at risk. However, no matter how far into the third trimester you are, seek medical attention right away if you experience any bleeding or spotting.

Is Spotting Normal During Pregnancy?

Fortunately for most pregnant women, spotting during pregnancy is normal. It is especially normal after sexual intercourse, which is why this is the first question most medical professionals ask women who come into their offices or hospitals with spotting or bleeding. For the most part, many women experience no bleeding and those who do have nothing to worry about.

It doesn’t, however, make it any easier to deal with. Bleeding during pregnancy is probably nothing, but it could be something very dangerous. For the sake of your own health, your baby’s health, and your sanity, do not hesitate to call your medical doctor right away if you notice any spotting or bleeding during any point of your pregnancy. If there is something wrong with your pregnancy, finding out what it is and treating it as soon as possible is the best course of action for you and your baby. If it is nothing but a minor tear due to a pap smear or intercourse, at least you have the peace of mind of knowing that you and your baby are both healthy. The stress of wondering can actually cause more damage to your pregnancy than you think.