Alert Your Doctor
Spot bleeding during pregnancy doesn’t necessarily mean anything is seriously wrong, but it
could be a sign of a problem that requires prompt medical evaluation and treatment. If you
experience spot bleeding, notify your OB/GYN immediately, just to make sure there is nothing
to be concerned about.
More information about spot bleeding during pregnancy is available.
What should I do if I notice spotting or bleeding when I'm pregnant?
Call your doctor or midwife right away, even if the bleeding seems to have stopped. While it
may turn out to be something minor, it could also be a sign of a serious problem. You'll
probably need an exam to rule out any complications and to make sure you and your baby are
fine.
How is spotting different from bleeding?
Spotting is very light bleeding, similar to what you may have at the very beginning or end of
your period. It can vary in color from pink to red to brown (the color of dried blood).
What can cause spotting?
Because of an increase in the blood supply to your cervix and greater blood flow to the area, you might spot after having a Pap smear, an internal exam, or sex. Other causes include:
Implantation bleeding. You may have very scant "implantation bleeding," possibly around 11
or 12 days after fertilization (close to the time you might notice a missed period). It may be
caused by the fertilized egg burrowing into the wall of your uterus-a process that starts just six days after fertilization-but no one knows for sure. The bleeding is very light, lasting only a day
or two, and only a minority of pregnant women have this kind of spotting at all.
Miscarriage. Spotting can be an early sign of miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy, especially if
accompanied by abdominal pain or cramping. Ectopic pregnancy occurs when the egg
implants itself outside the cavity of the womb, usually in the Fallopian tube. About one quarter
of pregnant women have some spotting or bleeding in early pregnancy, and about half of these
women miscarry. But if you have an ultrasound that shows a heartbeat between 7 and 11
weeks, your chances of continuing the pregnancy are greater than 90 percent.
Infections. Spotting can also be caused by conditions unrelated to pregnancy. A vaginal
infection (such as a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis) or a sexually transmitted infection
(such as trichomoniasis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, or herpes) can cause your cervix to become
irritated or inflamed. An inflamed cervix is particularly susceptible to spotting after sex or after a
Pap smear. You may also spot or bleed after sex or a Pap smear if you have a cervical polyp
(a benign growth).
Placental problems or premature labor. In the second or third trimester, bleeding or spotting
can signal serious conditions such as placenta previa (when the placenta develops low in the
uterus, sometimes over the cervix), placental abruption (in which the placenta separates from
the uterus), a late miscarriage (between 13 weeks and midpregnancy), or premature labor (between 20 and 37 weeks).
Normal labor. A mucus discharge that's tinged with blood after 37 weeks is most likely just a
sign that the mucus plug has dislodged and the cervix is beginning to soften or dilate in
preparation for labor. You should still report any other bleeding or spotting at this point to your
practitioner.
Unknown. In some cases, the cause of the spotting will remain a mystery. About 20 weeks into
her first pregnancy, teacher Laura Graff discovered she was spotting. Her doctor was
concerned, so he put Graff on light bedrest, meaning she had to skip exercising, stop having
sexual intercourse, and avoid lifting heavy objects for three weeks. After a week, the spotting
stopped. Her doctor never figured out why it had happened, and Laura's son, Kevin, was born
healthy at full-term.
The above article was provided courtesy of the BabyCenter, L.L.C., a leading online pregnancy
and parenting resource.
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