While any kind of bleeding during pregnancy can be very distressful and need attention, it is generally considered that the bit of spotting any pregnant woman is experiencing is probably to have been caused by a bump to the cervix -- maybe during intercourse or a recent internal interrogation as compared to spotting caused due to a threatened miscarriage.
The pregnancy is a joyful time for any woman across the world, but it can also be a time that brings lots of worries and concern for many women. To notice spotting during pregnancy can set off alarm bells for almost all the pregnant women. Is it signs of danger? Is it the menses that many women swear they continue getting all through their pregnancies? Or is it something totally different? The spotting during pregnancy may be cause for concern but it could also be the normal. So it is important to know when to call the health care provider for the problem of spotting during pregnancy.
Hormonal changes can make pregnant woman’s cervix very sensitive at such stage of pregnancy, therefore, even the slightest bump or prod may turn into a bit of bleeding and this is in no way harmful to the pregnancy, but it might leave woman feeling more than a little grossed out.
Few of the causes for spotting during pregnancy
Infection
Spotting might also as a result of conditions those are not pregnancy related. Vaginal infections like a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis or also a STD or sexually transmitted infection might cause the cervix to become irritated or swollen and an inflamed cervix is especially susceptible to spotting after sexual activities or after a Pap smear/local examination.
Miscarriage or Ectopic Pregnancy
Spotting during pregnancy especially as the early signs is possibly due to something related to miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy, particularly if accompanied by abdominal pains or any cramps. There are of course other symptoms of both of such complications, and one should have knowledge in order to concerned bout the health of the growing infant.
Placental Problems or Premature Labor
Spotting or bleeding during the 2nd or 3rd trimester of the pregnancy might be a sign of a complication as mentioned below:
- Condition related to Placenta previa
- Condition related to Placental abruption
- Any kind of late miscarriage
- Premature labor
Normal Labor
There might be a mucus discharge, which is tinged with blood after 37 th week is most likely just a sign that the mucus plug might have dislodged and the cervix has begun to soften or dilate in preparation for delivering the baby. The pregnant woman should still report any other bleedings or spotting at that point to her midwife or obstetrician.
Unknown Causes
In some of the cases, the cause of the spotting during pregnancy remains a mystery. There have been many cases wherein the women have had bleeding or spotting during pregnancy, and ended in the full term and having healthy babies.
Overcoming spotting during pregnancy
Incomplete/inevitable abortion could be performed that requires the pregnant woman to be admitted to the hospital for a procedure of removing any remaining fetal tissues in the uterus. This is termed as uterine evacuation (D&C) for preventing any further complications like hemorrhages or infections.
Missed abortion is the case wherein the pregnant woman might either be admitted to the nursing home for uterine evacuation (D&C) or supervised at home with the possibility of passing the tissues without surgeries. The woman and her doctor make this decision after a discussion of the risk and benefit of both the options. The age and size of the fetus might be important while making deciding that which course of action is to be adopted. Threatened miscarriage is another remedy for spotting during pregnancy, if the woman is diagnosed with a threatened miscarriage. Home care for threatened miscarriages includes taking rest until any pains or bleedings stop and also avoiding sexual intercourse for one month and one should not douche or use tampons.
In case, there is a uterine rupture or if there is a high suspicion of rupturing of the uterus, the woman might have an immediate cesarean section delivering the baby. The uterus might have to be removed but if she is stable and wants to have more children, the surgeon might be able to repair the womb. However, the mother probably requires to be transfused with many units of blood.
