What Bleeding During Pregnancy Means

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During Pregnancy vaginal bleeding can occur frequently in the first trimester. This bleeding is normal and does not have any problems. But if the bleeding occurs in the second and third trimester of pregnancy, there might be chances of some serious complications.

Bleeding can be caused by a number of reasons. A few reasons for causing vaginal bleeding can be any type of infections, stress related hormonal changes and improper sexual intercourse.

When bleeding is observed in the first half of pregnancy and the second half of pregnancy the following problems can occur:-

Miscarriage - Bleeding can be a sign of miscarriage but does not mean that miscarriage is imminent. Studies show that anywhere from 20-30% of women experience some degree of bleeding in early pregnancy. Approximately half of pregnant women who bleed do not have miscarriage. But it is always better to take precautions and be careful.

Ectopic Pregnancies - Ectopic pregnancies are pregnancies that implant somewhere outside the uterus. The fallopian tube accounts for the majority of ectopic pregnancies. Ectopic pregnancies are less common than miscarriages, occurring in 1 of 60 pregnancies.

Molar Pregnancies - Molar pregnancies are a rare cause of early bleeding. Often referred to as a "mole", a molar pregnancy involves the growth of abnormal tissue instead of an embryo. It is also referred to as moar miscarraiges.

When bleeding is observed in the second half of pregnancy, the following problems can occur:

Placental Abruption: Vaginal bleeding may be caused by the placenta detaching from the uterine wall before or during labor. Only 1% of pregnant women have this problem, and it usually occurs during the last 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Placenta Previa: Placenta previa occurs when the placenta lies low in the uterus partly or completely covering the cervix. It is serious and requires immediate care. It occurs in 1 in 200 pregnancies. Bleeding usually occurs without pain.

Preterm Labour: Vaginal bleeding may be a sign of labour. Up to a few weeks before labour begins, the mucus plug may pass. This is normally made up of a small amount of mucus and blood. If it occurs earlier, you could be entering preterm labour and should see your physician immediately.

If you are bleeding, you should always wear a pad or panty liner so that you can monitor how much you are bleeding and what type of bleeding you are experiencing.

You should never wear a tampon or introduce anything else into the vaginal area such as douche or sexual intercourse if you are currently experiencing bleeding.

If you are also experiencing any of the other symptoms mentioned below in connection with a possible complication, you should contact your health care provider immediately.