Spotting blood on your clothes while you’re pregnant can be an unnerving experience, shooting a quiver of worries through your mind. It’s natural to be scared, especially if you’re in your first trimester when you’re still treading the zone of caution. However, not all forms of spotting are a cause for concern.
Red Stains That Don’t Spell Trouble hile you should always inform your doctor about any untoward bleeding or cramping, there are a few instances when red stains don’t necessarily spell trouble.
Implantation bleeding usually occurs about seven to ten days after ovulation, and is a telltale sign of pregnancy. It is light and scanty and can last up to a few days for some women, mimicking the beats of a regular period. Implantation bleeding is not normally accompanied by cramps, so if you find yourself passing clots or clutched in persistent pain, inform your doctor right away. Any pain or cramping that coincides with bleeding could be a serious sign of miscarriage.
Spotting after sex? Chances are, there’s nothing wrong. Spotting or light bleeding after intercourse is a normal occurrence for many women and not a point of worry. The cervix receives extra blood during pregnancy, in preparation for birth, so a little extra action is likely to affect the bolstered network of blood vessels.
If you undergo an early gestational sac scan, the vaginal ultrasound probe may cause friction inside your tender cervical canal, leading to light bleeding. Likewise with a pap smear.
The first trimester may be peppered with light bleeding, with the number of occurrences varying from woman to woman. Most episodes, however, are not a reason for worry. Almost 1 in 5 expectant mommas experience some form of bleeding during the first three months of pregnancy. If you don’t develop symptoms like intense pain, heavy bleeding or a fever, take heart in knowing that everything is probably well. Still, it’s advisable to keep your doctor in the loop about developments through your pregnancy, even if it is just a spell of spotting.
When to Take Action Bleeding that occurs anytime after the first trimester is a sign of a deeper rooted abnormal phenomenon and warrants a call to the hospital right away. Even light bleeding can indicate an underlying complication such as placenta previa, premature labor or uterine abruption. At the hospital, you will likely undergo a complete evaluation to probe the issue in further detail. In general, you can measure and respond to your risk in the following ways:
A little blood during pregnancy shouldn’t be reason enough to turn your world (and your smile) upside down. Consult a gynaecologist on Cloudnine to learn more about what’s right and what’s wrong when it comes to bleeding in pregnancy. It’s never too late to be in the know.
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