Common Worries in Pregnancy: Bleeding or Spotting

One symptom of pregnancy that many doctors don't have on their check list is the constant worrying that almost all of us pregnant women have. Worrying is what we do best!

Vaginal Bleeding in Pregnancy

Spotting or having a light flow of blood early on in your pregnancy is actually very common. More often than not, it isn't something that should cause a great concern, but it is something that should be reported to your doctor.

Common causes of bleeding early in pregnancy:

Implantation bleeding

When a fertilized egg implants itself into the uterine wall, the disturbance of the uterine lining can cause light bleeding, appropriately called "implantation bleeding". Not all women will experience this.

Breakthrough Bleeding

Breakthrough bleeding is a name applied to multiple causes; however, the most common cause is a fluctuation of hormones (mainly oestrogen), which can encourage the cervix to redden or change shape and cause bleeding.

Ectopic Pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilised egg implants itself into one of the fallopian tubes. This is also referred to as a tubal pregnancy.

Possible Misscariage

When bleeding is moderate to heavy and is accompanied by severe cramping and/or diarrhea, it could be due to a misscariage.

Vaginal bleeding occurs in around 25% of all pregnancies. While it is considered common, it is advised that anyone experiencing bleeding in their pregnancy seek out a doctor as soon as possible to make sure that everything is alright.