Spotting During Pregnancy
Spotting during pregnancy can be fearful and worrisome, especially during the first trimester of pregnancy when everything is so new. But bleeding or spotting during pregnancy can be caused by many different things, and it does not always signify miscarriage. In fact, most women who experience spotting during pregnancy go on to have perfectly healthy babies.
While a miscarriage can cause spotting during pregnancy, there are other causes as well, and here are five of the most common:
Causes of Spotting During Pregnancy #1 - Implantation bleeding
Many women notice spotting during pregnancy because of implantation bleeding, which happens when the fertilized egg is becoming attached to the uterus lining. This is one of the most common causes of spotting during pregnancy, and it lasts a short time. It normally occurs within 7-14 days following conception.
Causes of Spotting During Pregnancy #2 - After sexual activity
Some pregnant women will experience spotting after sex, and this is frequently due to the tender state of the cervix during pregnancy. Blood flow to the cervix increases when a woman is pregnant, and this could cause light bleeding or spotting following sexual contact, or even after a pelvic exam.
Causes of Spotting During Pregnancy #3 - Infection
An infection can cause bleeding or spotting that is totally unrelated to the pregnancy. Common culprits are urinary tract infections, yeast infections, vaginal tract infections, or a sexually transmitted infection like Chlamydia, gonorrhea or herpes. Any of these conditions may require treatment, so it is important to consult a health care provider.
Causes of Spotting During Pregnancy #4 - Miscarriage
Bleeding or spotting during pregnancy does not always mean miscarriage. In fact, a miscarriage occurs in just 15-20 percent of pregnancies, usually within the first 12 weeks. Vaginal bleeding or spotting is not the only symptom of miscarriage. Other signs include severe cramping that is much more painful than period cramps and passing tissue from the vagina. A health care provider should be contacted with any of these symptoms.
Causes of Spotting During Pregnancy #5 - Ectopic Pregnancy
An ectopic pregnancy happens when the embryo becomes implanted somewhere other than the uterus, often times in one of the fallopian tubes. An ectopic pregnancy cannot be successful, and it requires medical attention to prevent serious blood loss. Bleeding due to an ectopic pregnancy can also be accompanied by pain in the abdomen or pelvic area.
It is estimated that 20-30 percent of pregnant women have some type of bleeding or spotting during pregnancy. Most of the time, spotting during pregnancy has a perfectly normal explanation and is not threatening to the pregnant woman or the baby.