Bleeding during pregnancy can be terrifying and unnerving. Bleeding during pregnancy, though unexpected, is not always an abnormal indication. The vast majority of bleeding during pregnancy is harmless but any vaginal bleeding could be worrying for the pregnant woman. Bleeding during pregnancy can happen for different reasons that could lead to something serious or for no concern at all. Bleeding during pregnancy does not always mean that there is a problem, but sometimes, can be a sign of complications that needs to be treated at the abortion clinic in Chennai. Awareness of such signs is important to know if the bleeding is normal or relates to complications in pregnancy.

Is it spotting or bleeding during pregnancy?

Very light vaginal bleeding during pregnancy is termed spotting. Spotting is usually seen as traces of light pink or brown blood, although heavy spotting can be red. Spotting is noticed as a few drops of blood while using the restroom or on the underwear. It is usually lighter than the menstrual period and there is not so much blood that shows. The pregnant woman would have to wear a sanitary pad or a panty liner to get an idea of the amount of bleeding that happens. A few drops of blood that would not stain a major portion of the pad could be referred to as spotting. Blood flow that is heavy enough to require wearing a pad in order to prevent soaking the underwear is termed vaginal bleeding. Whether it is noticed as spotting or bleeding, It is advisable to let the specialist at a private abortion clinic know about it, so as to get the right guidance, treatment and psychological support.

Bleeding during early pregnancy

Early bleeding may be relatively common but it does not frequently indicate that there is a serious problem. Around 20% of women in first-trimester pregnancy experience spotting or mild bleeding but the pregnancy continues to be successful without complications. There are possible causes for spotting or bleeding during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Even though mild bleeding could be no cause for alarm in the initial days of pregnancy, it is important to know the possible causes. The amount of bleeding during pregnancy varies with the cause and signifies as being normal or abnormal.

Some of the reasons for light bleeding with no serious indications during early pregnancy can be:

Implantation bleeding – 12 days after conception, when the fertilized egg implants in the lining of the uterus, a mild amount of benign bleeding may occur. The bleeding is very light and may last from few hours to few days. This occurs around the time of the next expected menstrual period, can also happen even before a woman knows that she is pregnant.

Bleeding due to changes in the cervix – there is excess blood flow to the cervix during pregnancy and the cervix could undergo changes due to normal hormonal functions. The changes make the cervix softer and more prone to bleeding. The hormonal changes in pregnancy may also form a polyp in the cervix that can get subject to easy bleeding. This light bleeding which is generally not a concern during pregnancy is often seen after sexual intercourse or a pelvic examination.

Bleeding caused by vaginal infection – spontaneous vaginal bleeding accompanied by abnormal vaginal discharge during pregnancy may be a sign of vaginal infection. Common vaginal infections include yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis or sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhoea, chlamydia, genital herpes or trichomoniasis. These infections can inflame the cervix that may lead to bleeding during pregnancy.

Certain conditions can cause heavy bleeding that may be a sign of a serious problem in the early days of pregnancy. Such causes are:

Bleeding from molar pregnancy – spotting or bleeding can be a symptom of molar pregnancy which is not a typical pregnancy. An abnormality of fertilization results in the growth of abnormal tissue within the uterus that may present signs of pregnancy but the foetus is not healthy or viable. Continued bleeding may need a diagnostic facility at a private abortion clinic for subsequent termination of molar pregnancy.

Bleeding caused by ectopic/tubular pregnancy – the fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus, not suitable to sustain the growth of a normal pregnancy. Vaginal bleeding that may be mild but with increased abdominal pain could indicate the presence of an ectopic pregnancy. Heavy bleeding and significant blood loss in the first weeks of pregnancy might be due to a ruptured tubular pregnancy. Emergency treatment with blood transfusion at the abortion clinic in Chennai is an absolute necessity for the timely resolution of such a complicated condition.

Bleeding as a sign of threatened miscarriage – symptoms of a threatened miscarriage include bleeding, mild cramping with cervix remaining closed and the foetus being viable. There is high possibility that the bleeding stops and pregnancy continues. If the bleeding continues, it will eventually end in a miscarriage. It is safe to get a confirmation and further follow up at a private abortion clinic.

Bleeding from subchorionic haemorrhage – an abnormal collection of blood between the gestational sac and uterus may be passed out in the form of clots or old dark blood.

Bleeding during later pregnancy – There are certain medical conditions that can cause vaginal bleeding during the second or third trimester of pregnancy. Minor conditions with light bleeding include inflammation of or growths on the cervix. Heavy bleeding is a more serious sign that is more commonly caused by a problem with the placenta such as placental abruption, placenta previa or placenta accrete. Any amount of bleeding before 37 weeks of pregnancy could be the starting of preterm labour, usually accompanied by other symptoms as well. Any bleeding late in pregnancy should be immediately reported to the obstetrician.

How much bleeding is experienced during pregnancy depends on a variety of circumstances such as how far along is the pregnancy, are there any predisposing risk factors, medical conditions or stress. Bleeding during pregnancy can be a sign of a problem that requires expert opinion available at the abortion clinic in Chennai, where proper diagnosis, treatment and wellness support is offered to ensure safety and good health in pregnancy.