A little light bleeding or spotting is common during the first trimester. It can also be a sign of a serious problem.
Differences between spotting and bleeding
🩸Spotting
Spotting is very light bleeding🩸 with signs of occasional small blood drops in your underwear. The color varies from pink to red to brown, similar to what you have at the end of your period.🌸
🩸Bleeding
Bleeding is a heavier flow of blood. You need to wear pads or a panty liner to avoid blood soaking your underwear.🩲
Constant blood flow can signal a serious problem such as miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.🤰 You should consult with doctors immediately if you notice any sign.👩⚕️
Causes of early pregnancy bleeding
🩸Implantation
Implantation bleeding can happen when fertilized eggs attach to the uterine lining, triggering approximately 6 days of spotting or bleeding consequently.🩸 You probably won’t be aware of your pregnancy when this happens.🤔
🩸Subchorionic hematoma
Subchorionic hematoma is bleeding under a membrane that surrounds the embryo inside the uterus.👶 When the amniotic sac, also called chorion, detaches from the wall of the uterus, you experience this harmless type of bleeding and usually it stops on its own.
If you notice any sign of constant bleeding, you need to go to doctors immediately for an ultrasound test. It can raise the risk of miscarriage or abortion.👩⚕️
🩸Miscarriage
Spotting or bleeding, together with severe abdominal pain or cramping, can be signs of miscarriage.⚠️ However, sometimes you don’t have any bleeding prior to miscarriage diagnosis.
Feeling better, no longer having early pregnancy symptoms such as morning sickness can also be an indicator to determine miscarriage.😟 You should consult with your doctor for a more detailed checkup.⚠️
🩸Ectopic pregnancy
Bleeding can also be a warning of ectopic pregnancy. When the embryo implants outside the uterus, usually in one of the fallopian tubes, bleeding accompanied with pains in the abdomen, pelvis or shoulder infers a threatened abortion.👶 Let your doctors know immediately to avoid this life-threatening situation.👩⚕️
🩸Molar pregnancy
When the placenta doesn’t develop properly, it can’t nurse the embryo. You need to seek medical help immediately if this happens.👩⚕️
🩸Infection
An infection can irritate your cervix and cause bleeding, especially after you have sex.👨👧 Some types of infection are common such as yeast infection, herpes, chlamydia. As severe infections can lead to pregnancy complications, you have to ask your doctor👩⚕️ for antibiotics or another treatment if necessary.