Spotting:Second trimester

What can cause second trimester spotting?

You may also notice some spotting during your second trimester. There are common conditions, such as cervical growths or inflammation, that could cause bleeding in the second half of pregnancy. Bleeding can pose a threat to both the mother and the unborn baby. The most common cause of heavy vaginal bleeding in the later parts of pregnancy is a problem with the placenta. You need to contact your health care provider if you experience any type of bleeding or spotting. Your caregiver will try to determine the reasons for the bleeding. Do not be shy about explaining your symptoms, including how much blood you passed, what it looked like and whether it included any clots or tissue. If you use pads to soak up the blood, keep track of how many you have used. All this information can help your health care provider decide if your spotting or bleeding is a normal part of pregnancy or something more serious.

Although miscarriage is less common in the second trimester, there is still a chance that you could have a miscarriage. If you are experiencing cramping and spotting, call your doctor immediately. Sometimes, threatened miscarriages can be detected early enough to save the pregnancy.

Vaginal bleeding in the second trimester can be caused by a cervical infection, inflamed cervix or growths on your cervix. Sometimes, light bleeding from the cervix can be a sign of cervical incompetence. This occurs when the cervix opens spontaneously and leads to preterm delivery. This usually occurs between 18 and 23 weeks of pregnancy and needs immediate medical attention. Doctors can prevent the cervix from opening, if caught in time, by performing a cerclage.

If you are experiencing moderate to heavy bleeding in the second trimester, you may be suffering from placenta previa. Placenta previa occurs when the placenta lies too low in the uterus and covers the opening to the birth canal. The main symptom for placenta previa is bright red vaginal bleeding without pain. The bleeding may stop on its own at some point but almost always comes back. This is a serious complication of pregnancy and requires prompt medical care.

When the placenta begins to separate from the inner wall of the uterus before birth it causes bleeding within the uterus. This rare condition is known as placental abruption. The bleeding from placental abruption may be light or heavy. There is usually abdominal pain associated with the bleeding.

See the third trimester spotting topic for a bigger picture.

A rare but dangerous cause of vaginal bleeding during pregnancy is uterine rupture. This occurs in women who have had a previous cesarean birth. A disruption of the surgical scar in the uterus causes intense abdominal pain and tenderness. It causes the baby to become partially or completely expelled into the abdomen.

Light bleeding from 20 to 37 weeks can indicate preterm labor. Preterm labor is generally accompanied by pelvic or abdominal pressure, dull backache, abdominal cramps or uterine contractions. If you have any signs or symptoms of labor before 36 weeks, call your health care provider right away.

Another reason for spotting or bleeding during the second trimester could be the expulsion of the mucus plug. During pregnancy a thick plug of mucus seals the opening of the cervix to prevent bacteria and other germs from entering the uterus. As your body prepares for labor the cervix begins to thin out and the mucus plug is dislodged. When this happens, you may notice a thick or stringy discharge that may be tinged with blood. Known as the bloody show, this is a normal sign of labor that may occur up to a week or two before delivery day. Some women may lose their plug further in advance though.

Call your health care provider if you have any spotting or bleeding in the second trimester. You should expect to go to the hospital or doctor's office so your doctor can determine the cause of the bleeding. Call your health care provider immediately if you have any amount of bleeding accompanied by pain, cramping, fever, chills or contractions. Many times there will be an explanation for the bleeding that isn't threatening to you or your baby, but it's not possible for your health care provider to come to that conclusion over the telephone. Your health care provider will likely suggest an ultrasound to check for placenta previa. If placenta previa is ruled out, you'll have a vaginal exam to see if your cervix is dilated. You may also be hooked up to monitors that can detect contractions and track your baby's heart rate. If you've lost a significant amount of blood, you may need intravenous fluids or a blood transfusion. Plus, doctors will closely watch your baby for signs of distress.

Comments: Spotting - Second-trimester

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peanutramos - 14 days ago.
hi it's my first preg - n im 15 weeks. my doc asked me if i felt the baby move yet? all i experienced was somethin like a muscle crampin up. it was like something getting really hard then slightly turning upside n getting soft. Has anyone felt this in the past? could this be the baby moving? lol it's frightnen and exciting at the same time

ambsies - 123 days ago.
Ha! I too am an 'Amber D.' :) To answer your question: you probably have minor hemorrhoids, which can break open during a BM and cause some slight bleeding. That's just my guess.

amber-d - 378 days ago.
Is anyone spotting after a bowel movement? I experienced spotting the entire first 10 1/2 weeks of my pregnancy with no reason found. Then it went away. Over the weekend I woke up with slight brown on tiolet paper when I wiped and then it went away. Today, after a BM I had a pink spot, then it went away. Anyone else with that experience or something similiar? I am 16 weeks 4 days pregnant.