Spotting: Third trimester What are the reasons for spotting or bleeding during the last trimester?

Third Trimester Bleeding
Bleeding towards the end of pregnancy poses a dangerous threat to the health and life of both the mother and child. Any amount of bleeding in late pregnancy should be reported to your doctor immediately. The causes of bleeding in the third trimester are:

• Placenta previa (abnormally located placenta)
• Placental abruption (early separation of placenta)
• Rupture of a uterine scar
• Vaginal trauma
• Cervical cancer
• Local lesions
• Severe fungal or trichomonal infection, varicose veins of vagina or vulva
• Polyp (local outgrowth) of the cervix or vagina
• Bloody show: reddish discharge at the onset of true labor pains

With placenta previa, the placenta is implanted down low in the uterus and lies over or near the mouth of the uterus. It is in front of the presenting part of the baby and can cause life threatening bleeding. This can be found on an ultrasound during a routine office visit. Placenta previa occurs in about 1 out of every 200 pregnancies and there are no known causes. Women are at higher risk for developing placenta previa if they have previously had children (usually more than 2), are of advanced maternal age, smoke, have had a previous abortion or curretage, are diabetic or women who have a large placenta-as found in twins. Most women who experience placenta previa have painless vaginal bleeding that is usually bright red. The amount of blood varies from light to heavy and may stop on its own. Blood tests will be performed to check for blood loss. If the bleeding is severe enough to put the mother's life at risk, an emergency cesarean is usually performed. Vaginal birth can only be considered for lowl-ying or marginal placenta previa.

There are different types of placenta previa.

• Total placenta previa
  The placenta covers the entire internal opening of the cervix.
• Partial placenta previa
  The placenta covers part of the opening of the cervix.
• Marginal Placenta previa
  The placenta extends to the edge of the cervix, but doesn`t lie over the opening.

Placental abruption is also known as premature separation of the placenta. This condition involves the detachment of the placenta from the wall of the uterus. The blood clot is formed between the placenta and uterus. Generally the placenta that connects the baby to the uterine wall and nourishes the growing baby does not separate until after delivery. However, sometimes it will separate early. Because the placenta is the baby's source of nutrition and oxygen, the baby's life will be at risk. Placental abruption occurs in about 1 in 150 pregnancies. Although women with multiple children, advanced age, high blood pressure and an excessive amount of amniotic fluid are at a higher risk, there are no known causes. In the early stages of placental abruption there are no signs or symptoms. When symptoms do occur, the most common are bleeding from the vagina, back pain, abdominal pain, uterine tenderness and contractions. The bleeding may cause a drop in blood pressure, which is dangerous for the mother. Blood loss can also compromise the health and well being of the baby. It is important to seek medical attention immediately. An ultrasound will be done to measure the size of the blood clot and indicate whether the baby is surviving. Immediate admission to the hospital is required and the mother may be given a blood transfusion. If the baby is in distress, an immediate cesaren section will be performed to save the baby's life. Unfortunately, the mortality rate for babies suffering from placental abruption is 30-50 %.

Your healthcare provider should be notified immediately if you experience any type of bleeding. Be prepared to tell your doctor how much blood was lost and the color of the blood. Your doctor will also want to know if your membranes have ruptured, if you notice any type of foul smelling discharge, pelvic pain or if you are experiencing contractions. Recent sexual intercourse, a pelvic exam and any type of vaginal trauma can cause some bleeding. If you can not reach your health care provider and you are experiencing bleeding, you should go to the nearest hospital immediately.

Comments: Spotting - Third-trimester

Comments 1 to 17 of about 17.
1

mash4077 - 24 days ago.
i am 33 weeks pregnant and when i went to the bathroom i noticed there was brown dishcarge on the toilet paper...what could this be?

aliciathefirsttimer - 77 days ago.
Im 31 wks pregnant... Ok so March 20th I had a lil scare... I callled the drs office the day before to complain of back and stomach pain and the nurse told me to take tylenol... So I went out got some tylenol and the next day I took it before work.... I guess it worked for a while but around 2 I was having period like cramps and I went to the bathroom and saw a microscopic amount of blood on the toilet paper, although it wasnt much it was enough to scare me half to death so I called the drs and they told me to go to the hospital up the the labor and delivery floor.... I was histerical so I called my boss told her I had to leave and my mom came and got me cuz I was a little shook up to drive... They get me to the hospital and hook me up to the monitors to make sure the baby was ok and thank the lord he was.... but as they were watchin they saw that I was having contractions (I couldnt feel them at all) and more than 4 contractions in 1 Hour is considered more than just braxton hicks and I was having like 2 every 20 minutes so they decided to give me fluids to make them stop... After and hour of that through my IV it didnt work so they had to give me a shot in the arm to stop the contractions... I was so scared because I didnt even feel them but I wasnt dialated my cervix was still high, thick, and closed so thats what matters... But yeah I thank god everything is ok but it was a hell of a scare... I hope I have no more encounters like that.... Needless to say I finished the nursery the next day... :) My dr said if you have any bleeding even just a little you should get it checked out... anyone wanna chat send me a message

michellej - 102 days ago.
Ive been spotting blood when i wipe, at first its alot, then i keep wiping and it gets lighter. should i worry? Another thing that im worried about is ive been going through alot of stress..more then i know i should be and ive got a cold to go on top of all this..could any of this put me into preterm labor? im thinking about going in and getting checked out if it keeps it up. what yall think? i was thinking the bleeding could be from hemorriods but i dont know.

Heather-P - 118 days ago.
Has anyone had a Chorioamniotic separation? I think it is like placenta previa; but that is not what they are calling it? Please share if you know anything about this!

soon2bemom18 - 121 days ago.
I am 39 weeks pregnant and I went to the doctor Friday! I was checked to see if i was dialated and I was only 1! There was alot of pain when i was checked and she told me i would spot some but now it is sunday and when i go to the bathroom I still wipe Dark Blood and then i found some dark blood and mucus in my panties today which i no is my plug?? But why am I spotting old blood with not mucus at times?

nholliday829 - 133 days ago.
Hey everyone Happy New Year!! got a question..I'm 38weeks and about 2 weeks ago I lost my mucus plug, but then last night I had some bleeding when I went to the restroom..could this be an onset of labor possibly getting ready to start or maybe just a fluke..?? Just getting sooo close and I think im naturally looking for any excuse to think Labor is near..Thanks

sheenamomtobe22 - 134 days ago.
Hello everyone, I'm 31 weeks and I went to the bathroom earlier and I had what looks like dried blood in my underwear, it was mixed in with my discharge, sorry if tmi, but I havent had any bleeding at all in my pregnancy and I'm just wondering if I should be worried or not.

robinylazunzun - 144 days ago.
a few times after having sex in the 3rd tri, i had spotting...the doctor said this was okay and that its because the cervix can become more sensitive during pregnancy and bleed a little. i'm still a little worried, and i'm going to ask for a more thorough exam and maybe an ultrasound at my next appt. on the 27th, but the doctor and the nurse did say that a *little* spotting after sex is usually okay, so check with your doctor of course, but dont stress out too much before your appointment!

yunginofthemall - 151 days ago.
i have a very serious problem and i need some input...last nite my boyfriend and i had sex and afterwards i notice there was blood...it wasnt continuous bleeding but it was enough to draw concern...im about to get ready to go to the doctor to get it cheched out but im hoping someone can tell me something atleast just to calm me down a little....thanx ladies

emasciangelo - 190 days ago.
Hi ladies, last night I was intimate withy my bf and afterwards when I was peeing there was a little bit of blood in the toilet... has this ever happend to you? do you think its a problem?

alimay - 214 days ago.
I have been spot bleeding on and off throughout my pregnancy due to a Cervical Polyp. Over the last few days I have had two major bleeds (both bright red) and had to spend a couple of nights in the Hospital as a result. I have a low lying Placenta as well (Marginal Previa). They sent me home and I am on bed rest for the weekend. Hopefully I have no more bleeds as I have a history with major, complete placentile failure. At least I am 28 weeks now and since they might have to deliver my baby he will stand a good chance now. I am a worse case and do not wish to concern anyone, but these matters should always be treated seriously. Take care ladies.

TerBear8806 - 217 days ago.
I am 33 weeks pregnant. Last week, I had some genital warts burned off with acid on the inside and outside of my vagina. The next day, i went to the bathroom and wiped myself and there was a little blood. There hasn't been any blood since tho. Could the blood be from the tissue getting burned off with the acid?

momo-mommy - 222 days ago.
I thought I lost my plug a couple days ago. It was just a giant gob of goo that couldn't have been anything else. There was no red tinge to it. I didn't go into labor, but have been having tons of contractions. Today I noticed a tiny bit of spotting which I figured must just be the rest of my plug. Tonight, though, I was having some pretty strong contractions. I went to the bathroom and there was bright red blood in the toilet and on the tp. Is this normal? It wasn't a lot, but it wasn't just a little pink streak either.

sookie - 252 days ago.
last monday I had woke up in the morning to pee. when I wipped myself I noticed it to be pink. so just to make sure it was coming from my private I put toliet paper around my finger and put it up me. I was shocked to find blood on the toliet paper. I told my doc and he sent me to a non-stress test right away. I really dont know what it was from, could this have been my 'bloody show?'

xoxorosalinaxoxo - 370 days ago.
see the doctor it could be bad or nots so bad ya never know.

JessiferRabbit - 370 days ago.
I had some spotting on the 6th and again on the 7th, it was just a small amount on the panty liner, maybe a few drops and then it stopped. I started spotting again tonight but again it was just very little. Should I get checked in the morning? Or should it be nothing to worry about if it stops again? I'm not bleeding heavily. It was pinkish on the 6th and red the 7th and tonight. I'm 30 weeks 5 days.

Courtney Erin - 393 days ago.
I had bleeding around 36 weeks and went to the Dr. and they basically called me a liar said that there was no blood there and I should make sure I was bleeding heavy before coming back in. So for some of you that may bleed a little and then it stops, you may hear the same thing.


1


All forums   latest comments
Trying to conceive   latest comments
Pregnancy   latest comments
Birth   latest comments
Birth defects   latest comments
Babies   latest comments