Around 1 in 10 women experience some bleeding while they are pregnant.
You should always call your midwife or GP as soon as you notice any bleeding. It is not always a serious problem, but it is very important to make sure. Lie down and rest until you see the doctor, and avoid taking any medication while you are waiting.
When the foetus plants itself into the wall of the womb you might experience a little light bleeding called spotting. This is called implantation bleeding and normally happens around the time your first period after conception would have been due.
In the first three months of pregnancy, bleeding can be a sign of a miscarriage, or an ectopic pregnancy which is when the foetus starts to grow inside your fallopian tubes instead of the womb.
Later on in a pregnancy, you may bleed for a number of reasons. Some of the more common causes of bleeding include:
Cervical EctropionChanges in the cervix which are completely harmless. This is the most common cause of bleeding towards the end of a pregnancy.
A showWhen a plug of mucus from the cervix falls away just before labour. It can look like a lump of blood, and if it happens before you are due to give birth, it might be a sign of early labour.
Placental Abruption A serious condition where the placenta starts to come away from the inside of the womb wall. If it happens near your due date, your baby may be delivered early.
Placenta PraeviaThis is where the placenta lies low in the womb and blocks partially or completely the baby's path to the cervix. The placenta usually moves slowly upwards during pregnancy, but if it is still low when the baby is due to be born, you might need to have a caesarean.
Although miscarriages are very uncommon after the third month of pregnancy, vaginal bleeding in the later stages of pregnancy can also be a sign of a miscarriage which is why it is important to contact a doctor.
Vaginal or pelvic examinations are sometimes carried out to determine the cause of bleeding. Ultrasound scans or blood tests are also used to check your hormone levels. Your doctor will also discuss any other symptoms with you, such as cramp, pain, and dizziness, and what foods, medication and exercise you have been taking recently.
If your symptoms are not severe and your baby is not due for a while, you will be monitored and perhaps kept in hospital for observation. Depending on the cause of the bleeding and how far you are into your pregnancy, you may have to stay in overnight, or until the birth. This will enable staff to make sure you and your baby are okay and they will act quickly if there are any further problems.
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