Bleeding during pregnancy is a serious threat to the health and life of both the fetus and the mother. Therefore, such a condition cannot be ignored and if bleeding of any nature occurs, seek medical help. It is a discharge of various colors (red, pink, brown) and consistency that appears from the vagina.

According to statistics, bleeding in pregnant women is quite common. A similar problem affects up to 20% of expectant mothers. In Russia, up to 100 women die every year from bleeding during pregnancy, which indicates the seriousness of the problem.

Causes of bleeding during pregnancy

Bleeding during pregnancy can have a number of causes, these include the following:

Ectopic pregnancy. It is characterized by the fact that pregnancy occurs and begins to develop outside the uterus.

Frozen pregnancy, in which the fetus dies in the womb.

Inflammation of the cervix.

Placental abruption.

Multiple pregnancy.

Abdominal injury.

Implantation of the egg into the walls of the uterus.

Cervical erosion.

Polyps of the cervical canal.

Uterine fibroids.

Sexual intercourse while pregnant. Occurs due to irritation of the cervix and vaginal lining.

Miscarriage. A concomitant symptom of spotting that appears is severe paroxysmal pain in the lower abdomen.

Bubble drift. This is a condition in which the tissue of the placenta grows. With it, bleeding is profuse, but there is no pain.

Fetal malformations.

Low progesterone levels.

Bladder infections.

Placental abruption.

Premature birth.

Varicose veins of the vagina.

Uterine rupture that occurs late in pregnancy. At risk are women who have undergone a cesarean section, with multiple pregnancies, or with scars left after operations.

Cervical cancer.

Sometimes the causes of bleeding in a pregnant woman can be invasive gynecological examinations, such as blood sampling from the umbilical cord, examination of amniotic fluid (amniocytosis), or fetal chorionic villus biopsy.

Bleeding in early pregnancy

Bleeding in the early stages of pregnancy does not always indicate the presence of any pathology, however, such a condition should not be left without attention. There are both natural bleeding and those that can pose a serious threat.

Sometimes, in the early stages, when a woman does not yet know that she is pregnant, a small amount of blood may be released from the vagina. This occurs because the fertilized egg attaches to the wall of the uterus. During this process, natural rejection of minor elements of the mucous membrane lining it occurs. In connection with such changes occurring in the body, a woman may experience small brown or red discharge, accompanied by a feeling of discomfort and short-term pain.

Sometimes light bleeding may occur at 3-4 weeks of pregnancy. It does not always indicate the presence of a problem. This can happen due to the fact that the woman was about to begin her next menstruation at that time. Hormones that regulate the course of pregnancy naturally affect this process, interrupting it. This is why sometimes some blood is released. Such bleeding can sometimes continue until the 2nd trimester, and therefore the woman sometimes has no idea about her situation.

Sometimes early bleeding can be a consequence of increased blood supply to the growing uterus. In this case, varicose veins may be observed and polyps may form in the cervical canal. The pregnant woman does not feel any discomfort and doctors do not prescribe treatment.

However, you should not keep silent at your next visit to the doctor that bleeding occurred during pregnancy in the early stages, since in some cases they are a symptom of serious processes. Both the fetus and the woman herself can suffer.

Sometimes bleeding can occur in the 5th week of pregnancy. This may be due to Rh conflict between mother and fetus. It is at this time that the formation of the embryo’s hematopoietic system occurs, and if an immunoconflict occurs, this can provoke a miscarriage. If a woman does not see a doctor with spotting and accompanying pain, then most often the pregnancy will not be prolonged. If the bleeding increases, clots and severe pain appear, this indicates that a miscarriage is already in progress.

At about 6 weeks, sometimes a little earlier or later, bleeding may occur, indicating an ectopic pregnancy, when the fertilized egg is located outside the uterus.

It is impossible to recognize the cause of bleeding on your own, so you need to see a doctor. Moreover, in the early stages they can indicate both pathological and natural processes.

Bleeding during ectopic pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy is a pathological condition and is a complication of pregnancy. It is characterized by the fact that the fertilized egg attaches outside the walls of the uterus. This condition requires urgent hospitalization as it causes internal bleeding and can be fatal for the woman.

The danger of an ectopic pregnancy is that at the beginning of life, it is no different from a uterine pregnancy. A woman may experience nausea, weakness, and tenderness of the mammary glands.

Characteristic symptoms begin to appear between 5 and 8 weeks and are expressed as follows:

Bleeding occurs in the abdominal cavity, since this is where the blood vessels are damaged. But uterine bleeding can often be observed, which is caused by a sharp drop in progesterone levels. The discharge is usually only insignificant, sometimes it can resemble menstrual discharge. Heavy bleeding occurs, but is extremely rare.

The pain is of a different nature, can be cutting, paroxysmal and aching, localized in the lower abdomen, followed by irradiation to the side and anus.

If the blood loss is significant, the woman may develop a state of shock. It is characterized by loss of consciousness, pallor, and a sharp drop in blood pressure.

In case of bleeding, a surgical method is always used to remove the fertilized egg. Either only the egg or the fallopian tube is removed if it ruptures.

Implantation bleeding is a natural occurrence of blood in the early stages of pregnancy. It is due to the fact that the fertilized egg tries to penetrate the walls of the uterus. This type of bleeding is not pathological and is not observed in every woman.

This type of bleeding received its name due to the fact that the introduction of an egg into the walls of the endometrium of the uterus is called implantation. By damaging tissues and blood vessels, the egg hardens inside the body of women, causing bleeding. This process occurs on average on the 8th day; after sexual intercourse, sometimes the process can last up to 12 days. The discharge does not last long, the discharge is observed for 2 hours, no more.

It is important to be able to recognize the signs of implantation bleeding and distinguish it from the onset of menstruation or another type of blood loss.

The following indicates that a woman is experiencing implantation bleeding:

The presence of unpleasant, but not too painful sensations in the lower abdomen. They are of a pulling nature. Caused by muscle spasms of the uterine musculature.

A short-term decrease in basal temperature. But this sign is very difficult to track, since the decrease is insignificant and short-lived.

The bleeding itself is weak, the discharge is often light, creamy in color.

A woman may feel slightly unwell, accompanied by dizziness, weakness and lethargy. They occur after the implantation of the egg is completed.

Unlike menstruation, this bleeding is short-lived.

The color of the discharge will not be as rich.

The amount of such discharge is equal to several drops.

When an ectopic pregnancy occurs, implantation bleeding is somewhat different. The woman experiences pain, sharp and paroxysmal. Most often, ectopic implantation is immediately accompanied by dizziness and nausea. As the blood passes through the fallopian tube, it will become dark, and therefore the discharge will take on a corresponding character.

If the discharge occurred before or after the specified period. If they are intense, this may indicate the presence of some other disease. In this case, you need to go to a doctor for advice.

Determining implantation bleeding on your own using a pregnancy test is problematic. As a rule, at such early stages of pregnancy it does not give a reliable result and should be done only after the first day of missed menstruation.

There is a more reliable method for determining the presence of pregnancy - this is taking blood and conducting an analysis for the specific hormone hCG. When fertilization occurs, the level of human chorionic gonadotropin in a woman's blood increases. It is actively secreted by the membrane of the fertilized egg. This method of determining pregnancy is very reliable and can be done as early as 6 days after intercourse. However, it will be more reliable after implantation bleeding has occurred.

If a woman experiences bleeding while pregnant, she must act in accordance with the following instructions:

Excessive blood loss during pregnancy rarely begins abruptly and unexpectedly. Most often it is preceded by pain and tension in the lower abdomen.

If a woman notices bloody discharge, she must call an ambulance, and before she arrives, lie in bed with a cushion under her feet.

If the doctor’s arrival is delayed for some reason, you need to take two tablets of No-shpa and valerian extract.

You should apply something cold to your lower abdomen, this could be a heating pad with ice or a bottle of water. But first you need to wrap it in cloth.

It is forbidden to use solutions for douching and even to wash yourself, so that the doctor can determine the cause of blood loss by the color and nature of the discharge.

You cannot use a tampon to stop bleeding; in order not to stain your clothes, you should use a sanitary pad or a clean cloth.

You cannot use progesterone-based hormonal agents on your own, without a doctor’s prescription, to stop bleeding. In some cases they help, but the doctor must determine the cause of the bleeding.

After the ambulance arrives, the woman will be taken to the hospital and transferred to a specialist for observation.

Depending on what caused the blood loss, the pregnant woman will either be left in the hospital or sent home for treatment. Most often, hemostatic agents (Dicynon, Vikasol, etc.), contracting uterine muscles (oxytocin), and raising hemoglobin levels are used for therapy. Pregnant women are prescribed vitamins and medications that help strengthen blood vessels - Ascorutin.

Bleeding during pregnancy belongs to the group of obstetric bleeding, that is, those that occur during pregnancy and birth of a child, as well as after childbirth. They are considered a serious complication as they often cause maternal mortality.

Bleeding during pregnancy: features

Blood discharge during this period of a woman’s life is characterized by certain criteria:

• sudden onset of bleeding;
• massive blood loss;
• First of all, the fetus suffers (therefore, emergency delivery is often practiced);
• except in some cases, blood loss is accompanied by severe pain;
• bleeding during pregnancy causes rapid depletion of the protective forces and compensatory reactions of the woman’s body;
• a sharp decrease in BCC (circulating blood volume) with disturbances in the functioning of the heart;
• the risk of DIC syndrome (disseminated intravascular coagulation) increases significantly.

Causes of bleeding during pregnancy in the first and second trimesters

There are quite a few factors that can trigger the development of bleeding during this period of pregnancy. The reason directly depends on the trimester in which it occurred.

Bleeding in early pregnancy occurs due to the following reasons:

• spontaneous miscarriage;
• hydatidiform mole;
• implantation bleeding;
• frozen pregnancy;
• gynecological diseases.

Medical tactics, algorithm and treatment regimen depend on the cause that provoked bleeding up to 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Symptoms and treatment of bleeding during ectopic pregnancy

It is also called ectopic pregnancy, in which the egg implants after fertilization and begins to develop outside the uterine cavity. Typical places of its localization are tubes, abdominal cavity, ovaries, cervix, rudimentary horn (unicornuate uterus).

An ectopic pregnancy is formed as a result of such pathologies in the anamnesis:

• adnexitis;
• abortion;
• genital infantilism;
• endomyometritis;
• surgical interventions on the internal genital organs;
• hormonal imbalance.

It can be progressive and disrupted due to a ruptured tube or ovary. In some cases, this condition ends in tubal abortion.

The main symptom in this case is spotting during pregnancy, which is “smeared”; in women there is a delay in menstruation, she complains of. An ectopic pregnancy can also cause acute abdomen, a medical emergency due to a ruptured fallopian tube. This type of pregnancy can develop up to a maximum of 8 weeks, and then the tube ruptures and bleeding begins (internal and external).

A gynecological examination and ultrasound must be performed to correctly verify the diagnosis.

Further treatment tactics are as follows:

• assessment of the woman’s condition;
• determination of the degree of blood loss;
• collection and clarification of medical history (gynecological and obstetric);
• urgent hospitalization to the gynecological department;
• transportation of a woman should be carried out in a horizontal position, the head end must be lowered;
• it is important to maintain blood pressure numbers at an optimal level;
• in case of massive blood loss, the patient is hospitalized by the resuscitation and surgical team;
• all further measures are developed and taken in the hospital.

Causes and symptoms of bleeding during early miscarriage

The correct name for this condition is spontaneous abortion, which is considered to be the termination of pregnancy up to 28 weeks. With it, the woman’s cervix dilates, and the fertilized egg is partially or completely expelled from the uterine cavity.

The reasons that can provoke an early miscarriage are as follows::

This pathology is accompanied by pain localized in the lower abdomen, increased uterine tone, and spotting that turns into bleeding. A woman’s condition directly depends on the amount of blood loss, duration, the presence of anemia and other diseases.

Important: in case of spontaneous miscarriage, it is necessary to stop the bleeding in time to avoid hemorrhagic shock, which occurs when a large volume of blood is lost (individually for each patient). If the pregnancy cannot be maintained, they resort to curettage.

Bleeding during pregnancy at 12 weeks is considered an early abortion, and it often occurs for an unknown reason. From 13 to 28 weeks we are talking about late abortion. 2-8 pregnancies out of 100 end in spontaneous miscarriage due to various causative factors.

Bloody discharge has different characteristics (from spotting to heavy), as does pain (from aching to dull pain in the lower abdomen). Pregnancy is usually maintained in the event of a threatened and incipient abortion, but the more blood lost, the worse the prognosis.

Spontaneous abortion has a gradual course:

• Threatening miscarriage. This condition may be accompanied by very scanty bleeding, the pain is mild and has a dull, aching character localized in the lower abdomen.
• Abortion in progress. With it, the blood discharge will also be small, and the pain will be cramping. This stage of spontaneous miscarriage usually occurs with satisfactory health. The woman should be taken to a gynecological hospital to decide on the advisability of continuing the pregnancy. The prognosis in this case may be favorable, but it all depends on the amount of blood loss.
• Abortion in progress. The patient experiences massive bleeding and cramping pain in the lower abdomen. This condition requires immediate hospitalization and appropriate measures (uterine curettage, blood transfusion to replace lost blood).
• The abortion is incomplete. The blood comes out in clots and is dark in color; there can be a lot of it. Pain syndrome is definitely present. In this case, it is impossible to maintain pregnancy, so they resort to curettage of the uterine cavity.
• Complete spontaneous miscarriage. It most often occurs in very early stages of pregnancy. The clinical picture is as follows: contraction of the uterus, opening of the cervical canal, removal of the fertilized egg from the uterine cavity with some blood, closing of the cervical pharynx and cessation of bleeding. A complete spontaneous abortion does not require emergency care, but the woman is still hospitalized. In the hospital, she undergoes diagnostic curettage. This procedure makes sure that there are no particles of fertilized egg left in the uterine cavity.

Therapeutic measures for early spontaneous miscarriage

The outcome of treatment for bleeding during pregnancy largely depends on the woman’s timely visit to a medical facility and her strict compliance with all doctor’s instructions.

The complex of treatment for such conditions includes:

• The first and main rule for a woman who is at risk of early miscarriage is strict bed rest.
• Complete emotional peace.
• If necessary, hormonal therapy (Progesterone, Utrozhestan) is prescribed.
• Infusion therapy is also carried out (iv infusion of solutions as prescribed by the attending physician).

Treatment should take place in a hospital setting under the supervision of the treating gynecologist. If the cause can be eliminated and the current pregnancy can also be maintained, then the woman should be under medical supervision until delivery.

Early bleeding due to clots: causes, symptoms, prognosis

The presence of clots in bloody discharge during pregnancy is most likely the release of fragments of embryonic tissue. Often a woman notices clots when visiting the toilet or after lifting heavy objects. The process itself is accompanied by spasmodic pain (similar to contractions). This bleeding is an early miscarriage, which very often occurs within the first 12 weeks. Doctors will not continue such a pregnancy, especially if the blood is scarlet and there are clots.

Please note:the appearance of the blood clots themselves (brown, scarlet, red), as well as the proposed symptoms, can be symptoms not only of a miscarriage, but also of the following pathologies:

• frozen pregnancy;
• detachment of the ovum;
• cervical or tubal pregnancy.

These conditions are very dangerous to the life and health of a woman, and therefore require emergency care and hospitalization.

Bleeding in early pregnancy with hydatidiform mole

This pathology is a type of trophoblastic diseases that are formed from derivatives of female and male germ cells. Hydatidiform mole can develop both during physiological and ectopic pregnancy, after childbirth, induced abortion, during inflammatory processes of the reproductive system, and hormonal disorders. This disease is characterized by the presence of modifications in the chorion: increased size of the villi is observed with the formation of bubble-like elements on them. It mainly affects women at a young age from 20 to 30 years.

Symptoms of hydatidiform mole:

• delay of menstruation up to 2-4 months (the woman considers herself pregnant);
• bloody discharge (they appear as a result of the rejection of bubbles) with the presence of those same bubbles in them;
• The uterus during a gynecological examination does not correspond to the expected gestational age;
• when performing an ultrasound scan at week 20, the fetus in the uterus is not visualized, but a picture of a “snow storm” is visible;
• The clinical picture of early toxicosis is very pronounced;
• the titer of human chorionic gonadotropin in the blood is 1000 times higher than normal;
• bleeding can only be stopped by curettage of the uterine cavity.

Please note: this pathology is an indication for constant monitoring in the antenatal clinic for 2 years with systematic testing for human chorionic gonadotropin. Re-pregnancy is allowed only after 2 years if the test results are negative.

Implantation bleeding in the first trimester

It is considered a variant of the norm, since it does not pose a danger to the embryo. The mechanism of its development is as follows: the fertilized egg is implanted into the uterine mucosa, during this process a vessel may be affected, which is why women experience slight bleeding in early pregnancy. This usually happens on the days when the expected next menstrual cycle was supposed to begin. Therefore, women often mistake implantation bleeding for their next period, since they simply do not know about pregnancy yet.

The clinical picture will be as follows:

• scanty discharge;
• duration of discharge from several hours to 2 days maximum;
• bleeding does not increase.

Please note:if the discharge is more abundant and accompanied by pain, then these are signs of another pathology, and not implantation bleeding.

Bleeding in the early stages due to frozen pregnancy

With this pathology, the fetus freezes in the early stages up to 12 weeks. The reason usually lies in genetic disorders of the embryo, hormonal deficiency, acute infectious pathologies, which can be determined diagnostically. Sometimes this condition is asymptomatic for a woman.

In other cases, the following symptoms are observed:

• scanty bloody discharge;
• absence of signs of fetal vital activity on ultrasound;
• pain in the lower abdomen;
• sudden disappearance of signs of pregnancy;
• softening of the mammary glands;
• discrepancy between the size of the uterus and the duration of pregnancy.

Therapeutic tactics for frozen pregnancy and accompanying bleeding boil down to hospitalization of the woman and curettage of the uterus.

Bleeding in early pregnancy: what to do?

Considering that the causes of bleeding can be different, if they occur, you should immediately consult a doctor.

• If the bleeding is minor, there is no pain and the antenatal clinic is not far, you can seek help there yourself.
• When the blood is bright or the bleeding is severe, you need to call an ambulance and wait for it.

Waiting for a baby is a responsible and exciting period. Unusual sensations often force a woman to worry about trifles. But among all that is possible at this time, there is a circumstance that cannot be called nonsense. This is bleeding during early pregnancy. Every woman should know why it happens, what needs to be done and whether it is necessary to take care.

Read in this article

What is considered bleeding?

This is a discharge from the genitals, small, medium or large volume, in which blood is found. Its quantity is determined by their red, pink, brown colors. Tissue particles and clots may also be seen in the discharge.

All women should know whether bleeding can occur in the early stages of pregnancy, and what causes this phenomenon. This will give her a chance to remain calm and at the same time not to lose vigilance in case of possible discharge.

Since there is always biological fluid of varying consistency in the female genital tract, some people incorrectly assess the possible threat that lies behind the bleeding.

A small volume of discharge is not yet evidence that what is happening is natural. Blood can be retained inside the uterus or in the space between its wall and the placenta. Then at first very little comes out, but the woman will steadily lose strength. If you notice that there is bleeding in the early stages of pregnancy, you must immediately find out what is causing it.

Serious threat to the fetus and woman

At the initial stage of pregnancy, anything can seriously harm her: stress for any reason, physical effort, taking medications. The fetus is still too weak, and the tissues protecting it have not yet fully formed. Therefore, blood during early pregnancy may have causes that threaten its existence and the life of the woman herself.

Danger of miscarriage and miscarriage

These are common causes of bloody discharge. In addition to them, the woman is plagued by periodic throbbing pains in the lower abdomen. It can all start with barely noticeable bleeding. If you neglect this symptom, it will develop to such a level that the embryo will slip out along with the biological fluid.

But this outcome is by no means predetermined. If the fetus survives, then at the onset of bleeding in the early stages of pregnancy, the chance of saving it is quite high. It is necessary, without waiting for the discharge to stop, to contact a specialist and demand help.

If the embryo immediately had serious defects or the process went too far, it is likely to be complete. Other culprits can be infections affecting the reproductive or urinary system, trauma, and inflammation. Heavy bleeding during early pregnancy, combined with pain, characterizes a complete miscarriage. After a short time, the gripping sensations in the abdomen freeze, as does the discharge. A specialist, examining the patient, will find that the uterine pharynx is closed and there is nothing in the cavity.

Blood clots during early pregnancy can be noticed even with little effort, for example, after visiting the toilet. It is likely that these are particles of fetal membranes or embryonic tissue.

A miscarriage can also be incomplete, when the pregnancy is lost irretrievably, but the flow of blood continues and the cervix remains open. There is still danger for the woman here if it is not done in time. Bleeding with clots in early pregnancy is a symptom of incomplete miscarriage. The discharge becomes a deep red color and is accompanied by unbearable cramping pain and a feverish state.

Ectopic pregnancy

An abnormal location of the ovum can also cause bleeding during early pregnancy. Normally, a week after fertilization, the place of the embryo is inside the uterus. But sometimes, for various reasons, the fetus lingers in the fallopian tube and penetrates the abdominal cavity or cervix. The first circumstance is observed more often. We are not talking about preserving the fetus; the main thing is the life and health of the woman.

At first, tubal pregnancy does not differ symptomatically from normal pregnancy. It is detected by a pharmacy test, causes changes in the mammary glands, and absence of menstruation. But the fetus grows and becomes cramped in the fallopian tube. The organ stretches, causing pain in the area where the embryo is located. The accompanying bloody smear in the early stages of pregnancy, which intensifies over time, gives reason to suspect this particular diagnosis.

There are ways to remove the embryo from the fallopian tube while preserving the organ. If time is lost, it has to be removed, which reduces the chances of conception in the future. And when a woman endures pain for a long time without telling the doctor about it, the fallopian tube may rupture with heavy bleeding. This is already an imminent threat to life. In addition to strong bloody discharge, damage to the fallopian tube makes itself felt by pain in the abdomen, which can lead to loss of consciousness.

Frozen pregnancy

Light bleeding in the early stages of pregnancy may be a signal that the fetus is fading. For unknown reasons, it stops its development, which also manifests itself:

• Abdominal pain;
• Stopping enlargement and pain in the mammary glands;
• The disappearance of toxicosis and flatulence characteristic of pregnancy;
• Increased body temperature;
• A sharp decrease in basal temperature values. But the symptom can only be detected if it is measured regularly.

Sometimes the uterus tries to get rid of a frozen fetus. But in most cases, curettage is required. Delaying time means increasing the risk of sepsis.

Hydatidiform mole

The abnormal development of the tissues that make up the placenta is called hydatidiform mole. Its reason lies in mistakes made by nature during fertilization. A benign (trophoblastic) tumor forms in the uterus instead of the embryo, amniotic sac and placenta. It looks like many small cysts arranged in a cluster. In addition to the abnormally enlarged size of the uterus characteristic of this disease, there is another sign - blood during early pregnancy. It can be released for a long time until the uterus is freed from the tumor. The color of the discharge is dark, the consistency is quite thick. Egg bubbles come out with the blood. And although there is little discharge, if it is regular, the occurrence of iron deficiency anemia is inevitable. Often the process is complemented by vomiting. Failure to provide timely assistance provokes the spread of trophoblastic cells to other parts of the body.

Diseases of the genital area that cause bleeding

Pregnancy will not protect you from gynecological problems. On the contrary, many of them are getting worse at this time, and some are being discovered for the first time, because responsible mothers monitor their own well-being more jealously. And if you bleed during early pregnancy, perhaps this is a sign of a gynecological disease.

Cervical erosion

Changes in the surface epithelium make the cervix a possible source of bloody discharge. The ulcers formed on the mucous membrane make the organ very sensitive upon contact. But even without obvious reasons for this, simply by sitting with her legs tucked, a woman can sometimes detect blood in the early stages of pregnancy, and in subsequent ones too. It colors the discharge red, brown or pink. This poses no threat to either the mother or the developing fetus. Usually, deliverance is left for later, waiting for the end of the postpartum period. So such discharge, which is not abundant and is not accompanied by pain, can come out more than once, especially after sex.

Polyp

A benign neoplasm can also make its existence known by secretions. In this case, blood during early pregnancy is released sparingly and painlessly. The choice of therapy remains at the discretion of the physician and depends on the surrounding circumstances. But even when deciding to remove a large and bleeding polyp, there is no threat to the fetus or woman. Along with the manipulation, medications are prescribed to maintain her condition. But often gynecologists take a wait-and-see attitude towards polyps, and the neoplasm peels off on its own painlessly.

Varicose veins

Many are sure that only the extremities suffer from varicose veins, and then mainly when the owner is overweight. In reality, if a diagnosis exists, bleeding during pregnancy is also likely, including in the early stages. After all, the vagina is also riddled with veins, and the new position increases the load on their walls.

Often the disease also affects the labia area, causing the perineum to swell and ache. The secretory function of the vagina is disrupted, causing it to become tense and unpleasant. Minor discharge with bloody inclusions is detected after it, and for no noticeable reason. They do not pose a danger, but they complicate its course for the woman and increase discomfort.

Venereal infection

Sometimes discharge with blood impurities appears when chlamydia, trichomonas and other microorganisms that enter through the genitals are activated in the body. In addition to dangerous inclusions, which in this case increase the likelihood of miscarriage, they have and may be accompanied by:

• Itching;
• Temperature;
• Loss of strength.

Is bleeding always a threat?

Women in an “interesting position” are characterized by all sorts of fears, so they often exaggerate the severity of their own feelings. When wondering why there is bleeding in early pregnancy, many people forget that this can also be explained by natural reasons:

• Egg implantation. The embryo remains fixed inside the uterus throughout the entire gestation period. The process begins a week after fertilization, when the woman does not even know about the changes awaiting her. More often than not, this event is asymptomatic. But sometimes a drop of blood during early pregnancy and a slight aching pain can signal implantation;
• It's time for your period. With a slight hormonal imbalance, the body is able to remember them, and then the woman notices spotting with streaks of blood. There are few of them, there is no pain, sometimes there is a tightening in the lower abdomen. In principle, this is not dangerous if you can lie down quietly and take the medications prescribed by your doctor. But when a woman allows herself

  Whatever causes bleeding during early pregnancy, treatment is necessary in many cases. Trying to determine the cause yourself, waiting or using home-grown remedies means wasting time and risking the future baby and yourself. Women who turn to a gynecologist in a timely manner, despite the serious threat of miscarriage, in 80% of cases carry the fetus normally and give birth to healthy babies. To maintain pregnancy with an increased risk of miscarriage, the following medications are prescribed:

  • Papaverine (suppositories) or in tablet form. Reduce tension in the walls of the uterus, neutralizing pain and eliminating the possibility of expulsion from the fetal cavity;
  • Duphaston or Utrozhestan. Hormonal agents bring progesterone levels to normal. Lack of the substance often causes bleeding. If there is a more serious threat of interruption, injections of the hormone in its pure form are prescribed;
  • Motherwort, Valerian. The drugs reduce anxiety, thereby helping to relax, including the smooth muscles of the uterus.

  But the main thing in providing assistance is hemostatic drugs during early pregnancy:

  • Dicynone. The active ingredient is ethamsylate. The drug supports the formation of platelets, which “seal” the vessels, preventing their contents from leaking out. It is available in tablets, but in particularly serious circumstances Dicinone is prescribed intravenously. Once in the bloodstream, the medicine begins to work after 20 minutes, and the effect lasts up to 6 hours;
  • Vikasol. Improves blood clotting due to the production of prothrombin, but begins to act only 8-12 hours after entering the body, so it is not prescribed in emergency situations, but is used for complex treatment 4 tablets per day or 1-2 ml intravenously;
  • Tranexam, Exacil or Troxaminate. The drug is prescribed in tablets (1 or 2-3 times a day, depending on the severity of the condition) or injections for bloody discharge or a predisposition to it. It is based on tranexamic acid, which helps with clotting.

  Therapy is often supplemented with the intake of vitamins C and E, folic acid, which strengthen the walls of blood vessels, reducing the likelihood of dangerous discharge. You cannot use hemostatic drugs on your own. All of them have side effects, so dosage and regular monitoring of blood viscosity are very important. The latter is especially important if problems with clotting were noted before pregnancy.

  If the pregnancy cannot be saved

  When bleeding that appears during early pregnancy is caused by a tubal location, surgery cannot be avoided. The task here is to save the woman and preserve the organ. If the fetus is still small, it is removed, leaving the fallopian tube functioning. If there is no chance to save her organ, the organ is removed to avoid rupture and more intense bleeding, which could lead to the patient’s death.

  With a complete hydatidiform mole and a frozen pregnancy, there is no question of saving the fetus. It is necessary to free the uterus from its contents, which is done using curettage or vacuum cleaning.

  If it is noticed that there is bleeding during early pregnancy, the woman should complain to the gynecologist and not resist when he suggests hospitalization. The initial period is one of the most difficult for the embryo, but at the same time there is a greater chance of preserving the child and maximizing the avoidance of adverse consequences for the mother’s health.

  When using any medications, you should consult a specialist doctor. There are contraindications.

– a sign that can occur regardless of the period of embryogenesis and indicates ongoing changes in a woman’s body. It can be observed with spontaneous miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, Rh conflict, placenta previa and other conditions. This manifestation can develop against the background of general well-being or be accompanied by painful sensations in the lower abdomen, lower back, or sacrum. Diagnosis of bleeding during pregnancy is carried out on the basis of data from a gynecological examination, ultrasound assessment of the condition of the patient and the fetus. Treatment of this pathological symptom is determined by its cause and is prescribed exclusively by a specialist.

Forecast and prevention of bleeding during pregnancy

Bleeding during pregnancy is usually accompanied by a favorable prognosis. Timely medical care can save the life of the fetus and the woman. Fatal outcome is extremely rare. Prevention of bleeding during pregnancy involves early detection of benign neoplasms and their treatment before conception. To prevent the development of a pathological sign, you should register as early as possible, take all the necessary tests, and if any violations occur, immediately seek advice from an obstetrician-gynecologist. Prevention of bleeding during pregnancy also involves avoiding stress, physical activity, and violent sexual contact.

Bleeding during pregnancy can be very frightening for the expectant mother, but it is important to know that blood loss does not always mean that a miscarriage is occurring.

Discharge of blood from the genital tract while expecting a baby is more common than you might think. Approximately 20-25% of women have this problem. In about half, the doctor will diagnose a miscarriage, but the other half of women will be able to continue the pregnancy. The most likely time for bleeding to occur is the first trimester.

Some women may experience blood loss only once, while others may experience it throughout the entire 40 weeks. This may include small spots, spotting, or more severe discharge.

Is it necessary to report this fact to the gynecologist?

Necessarily! Any bleeding, even minor, should be reported to your gynecologist at the antenatal clinic. Any loss of blood of this nature will be considered a “threat” or “threat of miscarriage”.

It is especially important to see your doctor within 72 hours of bleeding starting if you are Rh negative. Usually, during the first pregnancy, the Rh conflict is not very acute, but it is worth being safe.

Why might bleeding occur during pregnancy?

There are a number of reasons that are not always dangerous for the woman and the fetus. Some arise in the early stages, others in the later stages, but you should definitely pay attention to any sensations that you do not understand. Remember that if your discharge is accompanied by spasms and pain, you should seek help from specialists as soon as possible.

Reason #1: Implantation bleeding

Reason #2: Periods during pregnancy

Some women experience what is popularly known as “fetal wash”—discharge that occurs during the period when menstruation would normally occur.

In addition to the discharge, the usual sensations that you experienced during menstruation also appear - back pain, abdominal pulling, heaviness in the pelvic area, a feeling of bloating in the lower abdomen.

During pregnancy, hormones prevent periods from occurring. But sometimes it happens that their level is not yet high enough to stop the cycle. In most cases, by the 3rd month the placenta takes over the production of hormones and this problem ceases to worry the woman. But it is very rare that a woman can experience “fetal ablution” throughout her pregnancy and give birth to healthy children at term, but it is important to always be under the close supervision of her gynecologist.

This situation is not normal for a healthy woman; the causes of disturbances must be sought in the hormonal background.

Reason #3: Threatened or ongoing miscarriage

Research shows that about 30% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage (the medical term is spontaneous abortion). This usually happens in the first 12 weeks, and the woman may not even know about her situation. The main cause of miscarriage is fetal developmental abnormalities.

Once you've reached the 14-16 week threshold, you can relax and rest assured that your pregnancy is safe. That is why it is considered the norm not to tell friends about your situation before this time, until you know for sure about a favorable outcome.

Common signs of a miscarriage include bleeding, cramping, and pain in the back and abdomen. Women who have experienced this claim that if pregnancy symptoms continued, then fetal loss could usually be avoided. But when, before a miscarriage, a woman suddenly felt all her symptoms go away (nausea, bloating, chest pain), then in most cases grief could not be avoided.

Reason #4: Sexual intercourse

Spotting very often occurs after a stormy night with a partner. This is completely harmless and is due to increased blood supply and softening of the cervix. Although this form of bleeding is not serious, tell your doctor about it. You don't need to completely stop your love relationship with your husband, but you should reduce your partner's excessive movements.

Reason #5: Ectopic pregnancy

It occurs when your fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube. You may experience severe pain on just one side of your abdomen, or general pain, along with a feeling of weakness and nausea. If a pipe ruptures, the pain may disappear for a few hours or days, but then it will return and the situation will become even more complicated.

An ectopic pregnancy must be treated immediately as it can rupture the fallopian tube, causing internal bleeding and damage to the tube. In such cases, the fallopian tubes are removed along with the fertilized egg, but this does not mean that now the woman will never be able to have a child. The chance remains quite high if the second ovary and fallopian tube are healthy.

Reason #6: Problems with the placenta

Painless vaginal bleeding may be caused by an abnormal placement of the placenta. Sometimes this organ is implanted very low on the wall of the uterus, right above the cervical canal. This is called and occurs in approximately 2% of expectant mothers. Presentation will inevitably cause bleeding to begin at some point in the pregnancy, usually after 20 weeks. There are several degrees of severity of this condition; a repeat ultrasound will be required to accurately diagnose it.

Another problem that occurs in 1 in 200 expectant mothers is partial or complete separation of the placenta from the walls of the uterus. Symptoms: severe pain and blood loss. To learn more about the degree, causes, treatment of detachment, read our article.

What to do?

• Don't use tampons, only pads.
• Regardless of the stage of pregnancy and the diagnosis you suspect, consult a doctor as soon as possible.