If you bleed in early pregnancy it does not always mean that you are having a miscarriage; in fact it is quite common. Show One in four women will bleed in early pregnancy, many of whom go on to have a healthy baby. However, if you have any bleeding at any time during your pregnancy, contact a health professional, so that appropriate investigation and treatment can be started. Miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy (where the fetus is growing inside the fallopian tube) can both cause bleeding. It is also possible that you will have tests and investigations but the reason for your bleeding will not be found. Investigating early bleedingYour doctor is likely to begin with an internal examination to feel the size of your uterus and to look for any obvious visible sign of bleeding. UltrasoundAfter about six weeks of pregnancy the baby’s heart beat can usually be seen on ultrasound. If you have been bleeding, you will likely be offered a vaginal ultrasound because it offers the best possible view of your pregnancy. A vaginal ultrasound is a narrow probe, which is put inside the vagina; it feels much like an internal examination and is quite safe. Before six weeks, the embryo is so small that it can be very difficult to see its heartbeat. An ultrasound this early is not likely to give any definite answers about the future of the pregnancy. The benefit of an early ultrasound is that it may locate a pregnancy that is growing in the fallopian tubes (an ectopic pregnancy). An ectopic pregnancy is very serious and if found you will be treated immediately. If a heartbeat is found during an ultrasound it is likely that your pregnancy will continue with no further problems. Your chances of having a miscarriage in this scenario are less than one in twenty. The ultrasound can also show if a pregnancy has stopped growing. Sometimes it is also possible to see that a miscarriage has begun and that some of the pregnancy tissue has been passed out of the uterus. Blood testsA blood test can measure the level of the pregnancy hormone hCG (human Chorionic Gonadotrophin), which changes depending on how pregnant you are.
DisclaimerThe Women’s does not accept any liability to any person for the information or advice (or use of such information or advice) which is provided on the Website or incorporated into it by reference. The Women’s provide this information on the understanding that all persons accessing it take responsibility for assessing its relevance and accuracy. Women are encouraged to discuss their health needs with a health practitioner. If you have concerns about your health, you should seek advice from your health care provider or if you require urgent care you should go to the nearest Emergency Dept. If you’ve had bleeding early in your pregnancy, you’re not alone. Many other pregnant women have early bleeding, too. And in most cases, nothing is wrong. But your healthcare provider still needs to know about it. They may want to do tests to find out why you’re bleeding. Call your provider if you see bleeding during pregnancy. Tell your provider if your blood is Rh negative. Then they can figure out if you need anti-D immune globulin treatment. What causes early bleeding?The cause of bleeding early in pregnancy is often unknown. But many factors early on in pregnancy may lead to light bleeding (called spotting) or heavier bleeding. These include:
If you see spottingLight bleeding is the most common type of bleeding in early pregnancy. If you see it, call your healthcare provider. Chances are, they will tell you that you can care for yourself at home. If tests are neededDepending on how much you bleed, your healthcare provider may ask you to come in for some tests. A pelvic exam, for instance, can help see how far along your pregnancy is. You also may have an ultrasound or a Doppler test. These imaging tests use sound waves to check the health of your baby. The ultrasound may be done on your belly or inside your vagina. You may also need a special blood test. This test compares your hormone levels in blood samples taken 2 days apart. The results can help your provider learn more about the implantation of the embryo. Your blood type will also need to be checked to assess if you will need to be treated for Rh sensitization. Warning signsIf your bleeding doesn’t stop or if you have any of the following, get medical care right away:
Questions you may be askedBleeding early in pregnancy isn't normal. But it is common. If you’ve seen any bleeding, you may be concerned. But keep in mind that bleeding alone doesn’t mean something is wrong. Just be sure to call your healthcare provider right away. They may ask you questions like these to help find the cause of your bleeding:
Monitoring your pregnancyBleeding will often stop as quickly as it began. Your pregnancy may go on a normal path again. You may need to make a few extra prenatal visits. But you and your baby will most likely be fine. How much bleeding is normal in early pregnancy?Implantation bleeding
“It happens between 6 and 12 days after conception as the fertilized egg implants into your uterus,” Dr. Heber says. This bleeding is typically light and may last for a few days.
Can you bleed like a period in early pregnancy?Spotting or bleeding may occur shortly after conception, this is known as an implantation bleed. It is caused by the fertilised egg embedding itself in the lining of the womb. This bleeding is often mistaken for a period, and it may occur around the time your period is due.
Can you bleed and not be pregnant?Most of the time, this spotting is nothing to worry about. It can be triggered by a variety of factors, from pregnancy to a switch in birth control methods. It's always a good idea to have your doctor check out any unexpected vaginal bleeding, especially if you're not sure of the cause.
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