Bleeding during pregnancy
Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy is always scary for the expectant mother. There are many causes of vaginal bleeding and often the bleeding will stop by itself. You should always alert your doctor when you have vaginal bleeding since the bleeding may pose a risk to you or the fetus.
Bleeding in Early Pregnancy
Many women have vaginal spotting or bleeding in early pregnancy. This bleeding may be as a result of implantation when the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine wall or it could be a warning sign of something going wrong with the pregnancy. Early in pregnancy your doctor may order a series of blood pregnancy tests. These tests measure the level of human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) in your bloodstream. hCG is a hormone produced by the placenta during pregnancy. By monitoring the increasing levels of hCG in the blood we can monitor the progress of your pregnancy in the early weeks. An ultrasound, or sonogram, may be performed to help locate the reason for the bleeding. A pelvic exam is usually done but sometimes the cause of the bleeding is never found. Either way treatment is carried out to control the bleeding.
Miscarriage
A miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy in the early months. Although a miscarriage can occur any time during the first half of a pregnancy, it is most common during the first twelve weeks. Although 15 to 20 per cent of all known pregnancies end in miscarriage, approximately half of those with bleeding in pregnancy do not miscarry. Most miscarriages cannot be prevented. This is nature's way of dealing with a pregnancy that is not developing normally. Although a woman may first notice the bleeding after sex, having sexual intercourse in early pregnancy will not cause a miscarriage. Most women who miscarry will go on to deliver healthy babies with future pregnancies.
There is a possibility of miscarriage if you notice vaginal bleeding, the passage of tissue, and cramping pain in the lower abdomen. Many women with bleeding have little or no cramping. The bleeding may stop and the pregnancy progresses. Other times, though, the bleeding will continue to get heavier and miscarriage occurs. Generally the cramping experienced with a miscarriage is stronger than normal menstrual cramps.
If you think you may be having a miscarriage, call your doctor immediately. |