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Bleeding and spotting from the vagina during pregnancy are common. Up to 1 out of 4 (up to 25%) of all pregnant women have some bleeding or spotting during their pregnancy. Bleeding and spotting in pregnancy don’t always mean there’s a problem, but they can be a sign of miscarriage or other serious complications. Miscarriage is when a baby dies in the womb before 20 weeks of pregnancy. Call your health care provider if you have any bleeding or spotting, even if it stops. It may not be caused by anything serious, but your provider needs to find out what’s causing it. What’s the difference between bleeding and spotting?Bleeding or spotting can happen anytime, from the time you get pregnant to right before you give birth. Spotting is light bleeding. It happens when you have a few drops of blood on your underwear. Spotting is so light that the blood wouldn’t cover a panty liner. Bleeding is when the blood flow is heavier, enough that you need a panty liner or pad to keep the blood from soaking your underwear and clothes. What should you do if you have bleeding or spotting during pregnancy?Call your health care provider if you have any kind of bleeding during pregnancy and do these things:
Call your health care provider right away at any time during pregnancy or go to the emergency room if you have:
What causes bleeding or spotting early in pregnancy?It’s normal to have some spotting or bleeding early in pregnancy. Bleeding or spotting in the first trimester may not be a problem. It can be caused by:
Sometimes bleeding or spotting in the first trimester is a sign of a serious problem, like:
What causes bleeding or spotting later in pregnancy?Bleeding or spotting later in pregnancy may be caused by:
Bleeding or spotting later in pregnancy may be a sign of a serious problem, like:
How are bleeding and spotting treated?Your treatment depends on what caused your bleeding. You may need a medical exam and tests.
Last reviewed: April 2020 What does light spotting look like in early pregnancy?Spotting is when you see a light or trace amount of pink, red or dark brown blood. It will be lighter than your menstrual period and there won't be enough blood to cover a panty line. Spotting during pregnancy isn't always a sign that something is wrong.
How soon will spotting occur if pregnant?Is implantation bleeding common in early pregnancy? Answer From Mary Marnach, M.D. Implantation bleeding is defined as a small amount of light spotting or bleeding. It typically occurs about 10 to 14 days after conception.
What kind of spotting is a sign of pregnancy?Early signs of pregnancy
If you have a regular monthly menstrual cycle, the earliest and most reliable sign of pregnancy is a missed period. In the first few weeks of pregnancy you may have a bleed similar to a very light period, with some spotting or only losing a little blood. This is called implantation bleeding.
Is light spotting always a sign of pregnancy?Spotting before a period does not always have an obvious cause. However, it can sometimes be an early sign of pregnancy. Spotting may also occur due to hormonal fluctuations, starting a birth control pill, or perimenopause.
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