Period During Early Pregnancy

Many women experience bleeding or spotting at some point of time during their pregnancy, especially during their first trimester. These are the statistics: Vaginal bleeding occurs in about 20 to 30% of confirmed pregnancies within the first 20 weeks. However, only about half of these cases end in spontaneous abortion. Let's look into the causes of period during early pregnancy.

Bleeding during Early Pregnancy
Period during early pregnancy occurs due to conditions such as spontaneous abortion (threatened, inevitable, incomplete, complete, or missed), ruptured or unruptured ectopic pregnancy, and seldom resulting from gestational trophoblastic disease. Ectopic pregnancy (where the fertilized egg is implanted outside the uterus) or disorders that cause extensive vaginal bleeding, can lead to hemorrhagic shock. This condition needs immediate attention, and instant treatment is usually in the form of IV fluid resuscitation and other measures. Whatever the cause, period during early pregnancy is a medical emergency and needs immediate attention.

A woman’s period is the shedding of the wall of the uterus. However, once she conceives, the wall helps sustain the fetus, and thus she stops having her period till the time the baby is born. The bleeding that many women experience during pregnancy is very light, and is called spotting, which indicates its nature.

The risk of having an ectopic pregnancy is higher in women who have had previous ectopic pregnancy, have a history of any sexually transmitted disease or pelvic inflammatory disease, have used an intrauterine device, have had pelvic (particularly tubal) surgery, and those who smoke. Indication of ectopic pregnancy are menstrual cramping like pain and heavy vaginal bleeding. In cases, where the pain becomes severe, it may indicate peritonitis caused by ruptured ectopic pregnancy.

In some cases, when light bleeding is noticed about five days after conception, it could be a condition called implantation bleeding, which is caused by the early embryo implanting itself in the uterus. As the egg attaches itself to the uterus wall, it may disturb the lining a little, and cause light bleeding. This bleeding is fairly light and should be limited to a couple of days at the most.

One of the initial developments in a pregnant woman is the changes that occur to the cervix, so the baby may be accommodated. Another cause of bleeding during early pregnancy is the increase in blood flow to the cervix, while this change is taking place. There are higher chances of spotting if the cervix is mildly inflamed during intercourse or a pelvic exam. Some women get pregnant while still on birth control pills. Before they realize that they are pregnant and they stop taking the pills, they may experience intermittent bleeding.

While light bleeding or spotting is usually not cause for concern, heavy bleeding at any time in the pregnancy most often indicates a serious problem. As most miscarriages take place within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, heavy bleeding can often be indicative of it, especially if it happens in conjunction with cramping, fever, or chills.

One cause for bleeding late in the pregnancy is an infection in the cervix. Light spotting or bleeding may occur when the cervix is inflamed due to a yeast infection and a sexually transmitted disease. Alternately, when bleeding takes place late in pregnancy, it may signal early or preterm labor. This is fairly easy to identify as it will be accompanied by contractions or cramps, and needs immediate medical attention.

While you should have a fair idea of some of the causes of bleeding during pregnancy, it is never to be taken lightly. Whether you are experiencing what you feel is spotting or period during early pregnancy (or late), immediately get in touch with your health care provider.