Spotting:First trimester

Is there anything my doctor can do?

Many women will notice some spotting or light bleeding early in pregnancy. Generally, women who experience light bleeding in the first trimester will continue to have a healthy pregnancy. Some spotting can be quite normal and does not pose a threat. However, it can also be a reason for concern. Any spotting or bleeding should be reported your health care provider. Describe the bleeding-color, amount and consistency- and any other signs or symptoms that accompany the bleeding. You can use sanitary pads or panty liners to ptorect your undergarments from any type of spotting or bleeding. Do not use tampons during pregnancy.

Implantation bleeding can occur six to ten days after fertilization. You may notice some light spotting for a day or two. Implantation bleeding happens when the fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus. Because you are actually not pregnant, some women will mistake the light bleeding for a period.

Spotting or bleeding can also be an early sign of a miscarriage. It is imperative that you see your caregiver to determine if there is a problem with the pregnancy. The most frightening type of spotting or bleeding during the first trimester is fresh blood, bright red in color, especially if accompanied by cramping. While this type of spotting or bleeding can be serious, it does not always mean a miscarriage is occuring. Your caregiver will most likely give you an ultrasound to try to determine the cause and see if a miscarriage is likely.

An ectopic pregnancy can be signaled by bleeding in the first trimester. This occurs when the embryo implants somewhere outside of the uterus. Usually the fertilized egg will implant in a fallopian tube. An ectopic pregnancy is much less common than miscarriage. However, an embryo implanted outside the uterus can't develop into a normal baby and it can cause serious internal bleeding. Ectopic pregnancies must be removed to save the life of the mother. Other symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy include abdominal pain, which is usually worse on one side, lightheadedness and an urge to have a bowel movement.

A rare condition, known as a molar pregnancy, can be a cause of spotting also. An abnormal mass forms inside the uterus after fertilization. Bleeding is the most common symptom of a molar pregnancy. However, it is an uncommon cause of bleeding in the first trimester.

When you become pregnant, your body produces extra blood to supply the growing baby. Therefore, your cervix also has an increased blood supply. You may experience light spotting after sexual intercourse or a pelvic exam. This is normal and generally does not pose a threat. Use a panty liner to protect your clothing.

Cervical infections can be a cause of bleeding early in the pregnancy. Your health care provider will do a series of urine and/or blood tests to see what type of infection is causing the spotting. Antibiotics will be given to clear up the infection.

Trauma, such as falls or car accidents, can trigger bleeding. This can cause tears to the vaginal wall or placenta. Placental abruption can be life-threatening. It is very important to report any fall or accident to your doctor if you are pregnant.

While bleeding during the 1st trimester can be common, it is important to remember that whatever type of bleeding occurs, your health care provider should be notified. Most physicians will closely monitor the bleeding and may recommend bedrest in some cases. You should call your health care immediately if the bleeding is heavy, if you experience chills or fever or if you are passing tissue from the vagina. Your doctor will ask lots of questions and will do a pelvic examination to determine the cause of the bleeding. They may also order lab tests and perform an ultrasound.

Comments: Spotting - First-trimester

Comments 1 to 24 of about 50.
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kelly-roo - 18 days ago.
we saw baby at 7 weeksish and all looked fine. I do lift a 20 lbs-er often throughout the day.

kelly-roo - 18 days ago.
been bleeding brown since week 6. usually only small amounts after going to the bathroom. ...

kristymumof4 - 87 days ago.
hi all i started bleeding at 9weeks and 5days preg and have been bleeding on and of for near a month i am now 12 weeks and 3 days and it sucks this is my 5 baby and i have new had it before i had scans evrey week and baby is fine they said i have a hematopia on my placenta its small tho thats why im bleeding i dont get pain or clots tho

jenbikeswim - 96 days ago.
Hi, I am in the same boat.. Started spotting on 8/10, bfp on 8/14. Super light spotting, pink, sometimes only in the morning, sometimes thru the day. Almost had a whole day clear yesterday. Had a miscarriage in June, but there was not spottting until the mc began. Frustrating. I hate to go to the batrhoom bc I am afraid. Went to the DR, said my cervix is closed and long, so that's a good sign. I am having normal pg symptoms (but less so than when I mc), sore chest, the occasional cramp, some low back pain, irritable, tired, and slightly nauseaus. each day the symptoms get a bit worse. Had my blood checked, was 155 hcg beta on day 17 dpo. had another test this morning and I'm anxious to hear the results tomorrow... i am glad there are others out there who have experienced the same thing!

fiskaval - 97 days ago.
Ahh I am scared... been spotting on and off. Sex yesterday..... but am woried they did a blood test to test my levels today .... called the on call doctor and have to go in in the morning to see how everything it... I want this baby.. this past week or so has bee pretty stressful though, uncle;s cancer spread and now he passed on..... so yeah.... but i don't want to loose the baby. I know the doctor said not to worry as long as not too much. but i have to wait till tomorrow to call the doctor and get in... first thing in the morning... ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh i don't know...

Tabs - 98 days ago.
Hi all Im not yet sure if I am infacet pregnant but I would be 6 weeks or so. I had sex on the 23rd of July and was late for my period and I took a test which came up a very very faint positive but then the period came but was light for 2 days and then spotting on and off for 5 days and its now 25 days since I had sex and I got 2 positive hpt so going to the doctor today to see what is going on. I thought I might of been pregnant cause of the first test but then the period came but now I am convinced I am but there is something wrong.

KCity - 100 days ago.
Here is my little piece of information for those of you worried about bleeding, cramping, miscarriages... I have had 3 miscarriages, and am now pregnant with my 4th, which has so far made it farther than the rest... Signs of a miscarriage can be somewhat similar to normal early pregnancy symptoms, but (in my case, perhaps some of you are different) are different from eachother, for example: With my 3 miscarriages, I would experience really dull, annoying and sometimes very strenuous backpain along with period-like cramps, followed by either light spotting which would continue into heavy bleeding with clots, or just go right into heavy bleeding with clots... With this pregnancy, which was recently discovered as very healthy and normal (thank god!), I get the same back pain, and very similar cramping, although no spotting whatsoever for me... I have noticed that the back pain and the cramping are very rarely present at the same time. By the way, spotting can be very normal in early pregnancy, as it can be a sign of implantation bleeding... I read somewhere that if you have random lapses of pain and cramping in your abdomen, that is just normal growing and stretching pains of the early pregnancy (usually). But if the pain is concentrated to a specific area and/or fairly frequent in timing, it is usually best to see your doctor and mention what is going on. I was getting noticeable ammounts of pain off to my left side of my abdomen, and for a while I was so scared that it was an ectopic pregnancy (just my luck, I thought), but when I saw my doctor, she told me that my uterus was just a little tilted to the left, and nothing was abnormal-feeling (the u/s following also stated that everything was good). I think the best thing to do, if you're looking for answers about your specific issues/concerns, just look up the sympoms during pregnancy and see what people have to say- it definitely helped keep my anxiety down when I did that!

tcb131408 - 105 days ago.
hello all i just had my first check up last week and I was told I was 10-12 weeks along. This is my first child. Just today I had a light pink spotting that followed afer cramping. I called by doctor and have yet to recieve a call back. A couple hours later I used the restroom and there was a very tiny blood clot on my tissue and dark blood. Is this normal?

1stMr.Bean - 117 days ago.
Hello ladies. I am currently 12w4d pregnant. I have been bleeding my entire pregnancy. That is how I found out initially that I was pregnant. The bleeding finally stopped last week but started again Sunday night with a vengeance. Feel free to read my blog entitled 'another trip to the ER' for details. What scared me the most on Sunday was the intense menstrual-like cramps and back pain, not to mention the bright red blood that was continuously flowing. Bottom line is that the baby is doing well! this is my first pregnancy and it has been very stressful with the bleeding!

alison33 - 125 days ago.
rose22, sounds like implantation bleeding, and if you are only 3 1/2 weeks preggo, I wouldn't be worried just yet.

rose22 - 125 days ago.
i found out june 14th that I was pregnant i was so happy!!!! me and my husband have been trying for quite some time now. i was at work and noticed the brown discharge the next day (friday) June 19th i woke up to do my morning pee and when i wiped i saw blood and of course freaked out. i woke up my husband he had to work i immediately drove to the emergency. they ran all kinds of blood work my hcg was 356 gave me every scenario possible. did ultrasound nothing. i went to my doc he did blood work then did more blood work about 2 days later said great news ur hcg level doubled. no cramping ever that was the only time i had bled so i thought i was in the clear. well speed thinds up to date yesterday i was suppose to hear the hearbeat to find out REALLY what was going on, at first my doc said that the embryo hasnt fully attached to the uterus and yesterday i had my appt he could not see a heartbeat keep in mind his ultrasound machine is generic so he sent me to a specialist that same day they said its still to early im 3 1/2 weeks from conception. it feels like i keep getting shorter in time instead of longer. they said from looking at the ultrasound i have bleeding in my placenta????? dont quite know if thats normal or not. so im happy it wasnt bad news but im still nervous. i have kinda prepared my self for the worst but im praying for the best!!!!!!

lisalu - 129 days ago.
hello im hoping some1 can put my mind at rest. im 4wks pregnant and 2days ago started getting period like pains that evening i started spotting brown discharge and had it all day yesterday only wen i wiped, 2day im a little uncomfortable in my lower back the discharge has stopped, still goin to toilet continuously, has any1 else experienced this xx

keely0526 - 144 days ago.
I am concerned ... I have all the signs of pregnancy with a blood nose in the morning, morning sickness, swollen chest with even some discharge sounds weir d but yeah i noticed it lol, some serious fatigue, my nails are shiney ... they never are.. and i have been crying and yelling at people and pissed off and well i was 11 days late ... never had a weird period always been right on time... well today i got up and i was bleeding... and its starting to go away its reminding me of like the last day of my period light not heavy... i haven't taken a pregnancy test cause i just found out like monday and just wasnt thinking about it ... i don't know if i am starting my period or what spotting really looks like

Linz88 - 153 days ago.
spotting but my cervix is closed.. ??? could it open?

Linz88 - 154 days ago.
hi ive been spotting should i go to the hospital or phone my doctor

koleno22 - 169 days ago.
hi ladies im new to this site and im pergnant. i been bleeding to it like a period and i go off. im 4 months and i still feel movement. should i be worried or what

redheadmama - 179 days ago.
I *hate* this. I just found out I am pregnant three days ago and now have pinkish spotting when I wipe. I am *terrified*. I can not survive losing more babies.

Shellie77 - 188 days ago.
babytimbit - Because you arent having any cramping, and it stopped, it should be fine. Im almost 21 weeks now and had off and on spotting all first trimester. Keep us updated on what the doc says!

babytimbit - 188 days ago.
Hi ladies, like everyone else this happens to, i am really scared. I try to think positive and hope that everything will be just fine. This morning when i woke up and when i went to the washroom and i wiped i had fresh blood. I had to wipe like 4 or 5 times but it has stopped. I have gone to the washroom since then and it has stopped completely. I have not had any pain or cramping none what so ever which puts me at a little bit of an ease. I have called the doctor and booked an appointment with him for this afternoon. I am hoping that he will say that everything is okay. Has anyone had this...a little bleeding for that one time only and then it stopping? Am going to be okay? Is my little one going to be fine? I am just so scared. This is my first pregnancy!

captainhazel - 189 days ago.
what a crazy last few weeks this has been!! i found out i was pregnant via 4 home pregnancy tests on may 5th! (cinco de mayo of all days! i wanted a margarita and got a fetus! haha) then the doctors gave me another test, which confirmed it also. with the date of my last period they put me at about 5 weeks. i had some pregnancy symptoms, pretty much everything except nausea. a week after i found out, i noticed some spotting. nothing crazy, but when i went to the bathroom and wiped it was there and i freaked! it gradually got worse, a little more blood each time, and i ended up terrified to pee!! then there came clots, and it was red/dark red. i was shitting my pants, ok? but i had not had any cramping with any of it. then friday night (may 15th) rolled around, and the cramps kicked in and my bleeding got heavier... so again i'm freaking the hell out, especially since everyone had told me to calm down unless i had cramping, and now here it was. no Dr would see me for scans yet as i was too early (bastards) and i ended up in the ER first thing saturday morning. they did a pelvic exam, and my cervix was closed. they did blood work, and my hcg count was at 719, which would put me at 3-4 weeks, not 5-6 weeks! they did an internal ultrasound, and found nothing in my uterus, and a mass on my right ovary. the Dr in the ER suspected a tubular pregnancy... so now we're terrified and we're freaking devastated. it's too early to do more tests (this all went down on saturday yes, it's now monday) and i go in for bloodwork on friday. they're not saying it's tubular *for sure* yet, as i might be earlier than originally expected and they of course wouldn't see anything on ultrasound yet... and they're not ruling out miscarriage either... so here i sit in my purgatory!!!! i'm still freaking, and still bleeding lightly with some minor cramps, but nothing major. and the bleeding/clots seem to be tapering off. surely if i had miscarried, i'd know... my cramps have not been anything unbearable, just seem like plain ole period cramps to me... i'm just terrified of this being tubular!! does anyone think there is still hope for me and my fetus? i've almost lost all hope and i'm just waiting for them to tell me for sure... i can't build up hope for baby and have it all ruined again. :( has anyone experienced anything similar?? someone please tell me something. thanks xxx

ambsies - 193 days ago.
WOMEN WORRIED ABOUT SPOTTING, PLEASE READ: About a week after I found out I was pregnant I started having light brownish/pinkish spotting which lasted for 9 days straight. I went to the doctor who told me to prepare for the worst but to come back the following week for blood tests. I had to wait over a week to get my results back, which was horrible (I think that not knowing is the worst), I was totally convinced that I was having a miscarriage... But I'm happy to say that my blood work came back and everything was fine! My numbers were multiplying like they are supposed to. And earlier this week we were able to have our first ultrasound done and we saw a strong, healthy heartbeat!!! So, I understand that spotting can lead to devestating results, but I want to give some hope to the women out there who are dealing with the same issues. Hang in there! **and in response to one post which mentioned spotting after sex, our doctor told us that if we experienced any spotting after sex that we should take a week off. I know it sounds unpleasant, but I feel that it's not worth the risk and it wouldn't be pleasurable anyway if I was worried the whole time.

mama-to-be09 - 212 days ago.
hey ladies. im a little nervous right now... i have light pink discharge when ive wiped twice yesterday and twice the day before and once this morning. ive Miscarried before and it wasnt the same discharge or spotting like now and i had pain before no pain now.,. i did however had a light brown spot at one point.. telll me something.

donna b - 234 days ago.
im sorry kirsty2 from my experience there is nothing you can do just rest and wait

kristy2 - 234 days ago.
i am 5 weeks pregnant an woke up with negitive hpt And red blood spoting wat do i do

cowen - 240 days ago.
hey everyone im 11 weeks pregnant and friday night i started bleeding its freaking me out has anyone got any advice