Most women have to exercise caution especially when they experience some bleeding during pregnancy. For some pregnant women, this bleeding during pregnancy may signal a dangerous condition for them and for their babies as well. Pregnant women who observe the first signs of bleeding should immediately see their doctors or their health care team. Those who experience vaginal bleeding during pregnancy have some blood coming from the uterus through the canals that leads to the genital area.
Bleeding during pregnancy may occur any time. Pregnant women who are in their first trimester may have vaginal bleeding that may come is light spotting to heavy ones with clots. Vaginal bleeding on the second and third trimester may be considered abnormal and the causes may be different from the vaginal bleeding that happens during the first three months of pregnancy. However, those who will have bleeding during pregnancy especially after the 28th week may signal an emergency situation. This vaginal bleeding may vary from mild ones to brisk ones but may cause death to pregnant women.
There are some definite causes of vaginal bleeding during pregnancy. Women may have some small spotting when the embryo is implanted into the uterine wall though this type of vaginal bleeding is usually minimal. There are times when pregnant women may experience threatened miscarriages. Although the baby is still in their uterus, the end result of their pregnancy is uncertain. At times this situation may become completed miscarriages and fall under spontaneous abortion.
Bleeding during pregnancy may also occur to pregnant women with blighted ovum. The embryo somehow fails to develop at the right place. In some instances the fetus may die inside the uterus and such cases as called intrauterine fetal demise. Although this situation usually happens during the first three months of pregnancy, it can also be experienced by pregnant women who are on their second or third trimester. This may happen if the placenta separates from the uterine wall or the placenta has not been receiving enough blood supply.
Other causes of bleeding during pregnancy include ectopic pregnancy where the fertilized egg is implanted somewhere in the fallopian tube. Molar pregnancy on the other hand may show that there is an abnormal tissue in the uterus but not a fetus. The tumor may develop because of pregnancy hormones. Some pregnant may also have some vaginal bleeding after sexual intercourse which is called as postcoital bleeding. Others may have some infections that may be causing it.
Whatever is causing the vaginal bleeding during pregnancy, women are advised to seek medical help as soon as possible. Vaginal bleeding may just be a normal part of pregnancy but there are cases when it can be life threatening.
