Being a mother is one of the most beautiful parts of a woman’s life. But motherhood can be difficult at times. It’s common to have bleeding at some point in early pregnancy. While a small amount of vaginal bleeding is relatively common during the first trimester, too much of it can indicate a complication or an underlying condition that may harm you and your baby.
Most women who experience abnormal bleeding during pregnancy go on to deliver healthy babies. Still, take care of abnormal bleeding during pregnancy seriously. Sometimes abnormal bleeding during pregnancy is a sign of impending miscarriage. About 20% of women report bleeding during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
Try not to panic and share the symptoms with your healthcare provider so they can determine if the bleeding is a result of something serious. The reasons for abnormal bleeding during pregnancy can be varied. Let’s discuss some causes:
Implantation
This happens about 6 to 12 days after conceiving when the embryo reaches the uterine cavity. When the fertilized egg implants in the wall of the uterus, a normal rupture of microscopic blood vessels occurs which causes light bleeding.
After sexual intercourse
Sexual intercourse is contradicted during pregnancy as microscopic rupture of capillaries in the cervix area can occur.
Cervical polyp
A noncancerous growth on the area of the cervix that bleeds in pregnancy due to increased estrogen levels.
Subchorionic bleeding
It is one of the most common causes of abnormal bleeding during pregnancy. Bleeding occurs when there is an accumulation of blood in the contours of the gestational sac.
What to do if you experience abnormal bleeding?
Firstly, keep calm. There are so many possible causes of abnormal vaginal bleeding, some of which can be serious, so it’s better to get it checked out.
A diagnosis makes way for treatment, which should remedy the abnormal bleeding. If the colour of the blood is brown and you are bleeding light with no pain, they no need to worry and wait until your next doctor’s appointment. If the bleeding occurs after physical exercise, lifting heavy objects, or sexual intercourse, you should avoid these activities.
Your doctor also might suggest you avoid travelling. If the bleeding is heavy with pelvic pain or cramp, fatigue, or is accompanied by the expulsion of blood clots. Then you need to seek medical attention as the earliest. While consulting the doctor, explain the type of bleeding and have it checked out. This can rule out any serious health issues and begin treatment as necessary.
Treatments
Relaxing or staying off the feet
If bleeding is heavy with pain or discomfort then you need to make sure you are taking a break and relaxing. Get into a position or lie down in a position that you are comfortable in. Avoid doing physical exercise or heavy work.
Avoiding sex
Sex during pregnancy is considered safe, but each pregnancy is different. However, it is important to check with your doctor because there could be some medical reasons such as you may have any signs of preterm labor or a history of preterm labor. If you have had incidences of vaginal bleeding during the pregnancy, you must avoid sex.
Sex during pregnancy can lead to bleeding, cramping, or unusual discharge. Having sex during pregnancy may pose a concern if it appears that your cervix is dilating. It is safe to abstain from sex if your bag of water has broken, or you’re leaking amniotic fluid, as infections can now pass to the baby.
Avoiding travel
It’s better to avoid long-distance trips during pregnancy, especially when there is abnormal bleeding. You can plan trips but it should be done with some caution. Regular travel like commuting to work or occasional visits to the shopping malls can be done.
Your doctor might advise you not to plan a long-distance trip by air or road during the first three months of pregnancy as the risk of a miscarriage during the first three months is high.
Certain health reasons such as if your placenta is attached to the lower part of the uterus or if you have a history of premature deliveries and repeated abortions.
This can lead to abnormal bleeding. In the first ultrasound it’s figured out that if the cervix is not tightly closed, it makes it difficult for the mother-to-be to travel during the first trimester. Travel can lead to too much bleeding, an underlying condition that may harm you and your baby.
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