Spotting During Pregnancy
Identifying Reasons for Spotting during pregnancy
Light bleeding or spotting, as they usually call it, is a common happening during pregnancy. It may be regarded as a not-so-serious condition due to the many physiological reaction in a woman’s body during this childbearing stage.
If you are spotting and you are not pregnant… you might want to take a pregnancy test!
Some might confuse the spotting from bleeding although the latter is more serious and requires immediate medical attention. The spots can vary in color from light red, red, pink to brown, which is a usual color of a blood when it dried up.
During the first trimester of pregnancy, spotting can be very common. But while most people usually regard spotting as nothing but a common sightings at this stage, monitoring one’s health should be put at the top of everyone’s priority.
Causes of Spotting
There are many reasons for the cause of spotting and one some of them are enumerated below.
a. Increased Blood Supply To the Cervix. The increased blood supply to the primary internal genital organs of pregnant women. This increase blood supply may leak out to the linings of the cervix and, in turn, causes scant bleeding.
b. This is also caused by after-effect of Pap smear examination, sexual intercourse or any internal activity which destroy the internal linings of the cervix. For implant patients, several episodes of spotting is expected during the first week of the fertilization.
c. Dividing Egg Cell Burrowing into the Wall of the Uterus. This can also be caused by the action done by the dividing fertilized egg cell which clinging into the walls of the uterus, the organ where the developing baby is nourished and undergoes development.
This type of soft bleeding will only last for about one or two days but may extend until the fourth or fifth day but should it continue on the sixth days, it should be consulted with your medical doctor for checkup.
It shows that less than 8% of women experiences spotting or none at all, however, for any concerns on pregnancy, especially for first-timers, regular check up is needed in order to check no any developments of spotting.
d. Vaginal Infections. Several vaginal infections may also cause spotting for pregnant and non-pregnant women alike. Sexually transmitted diseases for example may cause spotting. Vaginitis or Bacterial vaginosis, several types of vaginal yeast infections and trichomoniasis, are just some of the vaginal infections which may cause spotting.
Others such as herpes simplex, gonorrhea, and Chlamydia may irritate the linings of the cervix and causes the vulnerability of the cervix to irritation.
Irritated cervix would then cause bleeding if external means will be applied in the area such as when undergoing a Pap smear test or after having sexual intercourse or any serious medical condition such as cervical (benign) polyp which can become cancerous at anytime.
It shows that 10 to 64% of American women suffer from any of these diseases at any time during their lifetime
Complications Arising From Spotting
Spotting can be very dangerous especially if it would last for a week. For most women, spotting may suggest that an early onset of an abnormal pregnancy or miscarriage. Along with this sign, other may include dispersed bouts of abdominal pain and frequent cramps.
At this stage, ultrasound and a series of other laboratory tests carried out by your OB should be done in order to ensure the safety of the unborn. Half of pregnant women who experiences advanced spotting and bleeding miscarry and most experiences severe complications.
For the first week of spotting, an ultrasound showing heartbeat between 7 and 11 as a rate is a good indicator of ruling out miscarriage and continuing pregnancy on a clear and healthy state.
Other Issues Related to Spotting
Despite in advances in technology, most doctors are still unable to find the reason for the causes of spotting among pregnant women. While many of us are concerned on the daily activities that may induce spotting and in turn endanger the health of your unborn child, it is well advised to consult your local physician or obgyne so that they would be able to look closely on the cause and advice you on some activities will help you lessen the chances of recurring any episodes of spotting.
Monica Nelson writes about women’s health issues, and pregnancy information including how to understand your pregnancy due date, and the reasons why many doctors say pregnant women should consider taking purified omega 3 fish oil for the good health of their babies.
For My Wife
Red Spotting & white discharge which have bad smile what reason for that ?
I have been having unprotected sex for over a month now. I started my period a few days ago, but I was on heavy for two days and used super plus tampons throughout the entire day as usual. On the second night, I pretty much stopped my period, and for the last two days, I have barely bled at all. I have had very little pink/brown spotting–just enough to wear a pantyliner. This is very unusual for me considering I am always very heavy for six to seven days straight. I have never experienced this in my 11 years of having a period. Is it likely that I am pregnant? Also, when should I take a test?
that seems to happen a lot, having it be heacy and then suddenly stop, although science will tell us that if you bleed at all, its a period, and the egg has passed. BUT know this, if its not normal for you, then i would get a test, to be on the safe side…dont smoke or drink until you take a test and know for sure, dont want to risk birth defects just in case. (EPT is the best,…and cheapest, lol, for early response, and follow the directions carefully)
and whatever you do, DONT WORRY, stress can cause your period to suddenly stop, or even not happen…which in term, causes more STRESS!! AHHH!
i spotted at day about 20, which i thiught could be implantation bleeding. 4 days later, i started spotting again, but nothing that it is collecting on a panty line, some cramping ?
i did a pregnancy test twice and tested positive now i am bleeding. am i at risk
i had an ectopic pregnancy april 2007. found out i was pregnant on june13th, 2008. was going to dr tomorrow but now im spotting brown:9 i guess its another tubal.. i really wanted baby
hi!!! i had a spotting or bleeding after we sexual intercourse with my husband and i am 5 months pregnant, is this safe or not?
I am about 8 weeks pregnant and have been spotting for about 2 weeks now. Went to the ER and they saw the heartbeat and the baby and said my cervix was closed. Went to my OB and she said the same thing. Now the spotting has gotten a lil worse, not much cramping though….is this normal or is this a serious cause for concern as I suspect?
reply to Lisa: Hi Lisa, my name is Ruby, i had the same exzact thing happen to me except it happened at 11 weeks, a couple days ago i had light brown spotting and went to the docs and ultrasound showed baby is fine, good heartbeat and my cervix is closed, but lastnight i had fresh red blood spotting size of a quarter, so i too am wondering if the baby is “still” okay, i have a follow up with my doc on friday, so hopefully my spotting doesn’t get any worse, it has stopped for now. But Lisa i was wondering what happened since your post? did you continue to have spotting? and for how long?? and is your baby still okay and alive? ect. please write back, thank you. My email address is: somebodysangel99@aol.com
hey ruby what happened to your follow up?tnx..my wife has the same situation as Lisa’s.
i’ve been spotting for about almost a month now. i went to the er on monday and the doc said everything is okay, but i’m still worry about my baby. the spotting comes and goes.
I have the same thing as everyone else. My spotting stopped about 4 days ago and then started last night. The doctor said not to worry adn the ER said the same thing. What did everyone else find out??
I recently found out that I was pregnant and am about 5-6 weeks along. When I first took the test I was spotting and a couple days later, the same thing. It has been a few days since the last time I spotted and I noticed just alittle bit more today. Im worried that I’ll miscarry and need some advice. Anyone that can offer anything email me at I have heard/read many times that it is normal but it still doesn’t seem right. PICK ME UP PLEASE 