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We all have that friend that cannot stand blood at all. Some of us are even perturbed by the sight of blood as well, especially when we are the ones bleeding. However, the calmest of us can also be troubled if they discover that they are bleeding during pregnancy. Although, it is completely normal to have spotting or bleeding for some people and it does not mean that there is a problem with the pregnancy. Sometimes, it may be as a result of an infection, or a tear of the vaginal wall, or simply because one just had intercourse. For some others, it may be after they have visited their obstetrician, while some others may be merely experiencing implantation bleeding.

Moreover, bleeding during the first half of pregnancy could also be an indication of something that requires prompt attention. In some instances, it could be bleeding in the area of the placenta, at times it could be the primary sign that the woman has an ectopic pregnancy. The most precarious fear that any expectant mother will have is a miscarriage. This can be the reason the bleeding was spotted, and it could be the symptom of a threatened abortion or of one that is imminent.

How much Bleeding or Spotting during Pregnancy is Normal?

 

Spotting is a common worry that numerous pregnant women confront. Around 20% of women report that they encounter spotting during the first three months of their pregnancy. The kind of flow that occurs in the early stages of pregnancy is generally lighter than that of menstruation. Likewise, the color frequently varies from pink to red to brown. Even though it is worrisome, there is no need or reason to panic. The more significant population of ladies who encounter spotting during pregnancy go ahead to have a healthy pregnancy and healthy children.

Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy is any release of blood from the vagina during pregnancy. It can happen at any point in time from fertilization/during conception until delivery. Spotting during pregnancy may be normal, particularly in the first trimester. Usually, this is no reason to worry. It is considered spotting when you see a couple of drops of blood periodically in your underwear, or if you wipe yourself with tissue and see a little blood on it. There ought not to be sufficient blood to cover an underwear liner.

Bleeding is a more massive flow of blood compared to spotting. With bleeding, you will require an underwear liner or a tampon to soak the blood from staining your clothes. Regardless of whether you are bleeding or spotting, it is best to contact your doctor and seek medical advice about what you are experiencing.

 

What Color is your Blood when you have a Miscarriage?

 

When a lady is bleeding as a result of a miscarriage, the blood is bright red; sometimes it contains tissues and clots. Moreover, half of the women that suffer miscarriage do not even experience bleeding at all. However, there may be some accompanying symptoms associated with miscarriage like:

  • Bleeding
  • A brown release: it may appear like coffee grounds. This “discharge” is old blood, which is coming out of the uterus after being there for a while.
  • Spotting, bright red bleeding or clots
  • A spout of colorless or pink vaginal liquid

  

What are the Signs of an Early Miscarriage?

 

The most shocking thing is that there may not be any sign or symptoms to show you that a miscarriage has taken place. Sometimes, the only way women realize that they have lost their pregnancy is when they notice that there is an absence of the usual signs they battle with every day. You know symptoms like nausea, vomiting, irritation, cravings, and some other ones like that can just disappear without any form of bleeding or pain. Furthermore, when this happens, the Ob-gyn may have to prescribe some pills or merely perform surgery to deliver the mother of the dead embryo. In addition, there may be some accompanying symptoms associated with miscarriage like:

  • Bleeding
  • Pain in the back especially the lower back
  • Cramps that mimic that of menstruation often followed by bleeding
  • Very late menstruation
  • Cessation of the symptoms previously experienced during pregnancy

What may have caused or predisposed the woman to have a miscarriage? Some people believe that having sex during pregnancy may cause a woman to lose her unborn child. Some husbands even feel that their wives should not be doing any form of activity so as not to risk losing the pregnancy. However, none of these are really as dangerous to the growing embryo as the intricacies of tissue and organ formation that goes on inside the womb during that early period of the pregnancy.

Although, there are still bad health practices that may threaten the viability of a pregnancy. For instance, some medications are taken without a prescription, or those mothers that self-medicate may fall prey to endangering their unborn baby. Mothers who take substances like tobacco or alcoholic drinks can put the infant at risk. this is significantly worsened when taken in excess. Illegal drugs, such as cocaine and methadone, pose the highest risk and require serious attention.

In some other cases, the mothers who experience miscarriage may have diabetes that may not have been appropriately managed while they were carrying the child, leading to severe cases of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia. Some other women may be struggling with hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, while in another population it may just be that they have uterine malformations such as a fibroid, not making the uterus a conducive site for carrying the baby for the full term.

Some people go through a lot of struggles to conceive, while others are blessed and get pregnant quite normally, but there’s no one that experiences miscarriage that does not feel the loss. Miscarriage is not like intentional abortion where there is a level of preparation and expectation. In this case, the miscarriage is totally unanticipated, and to say the least, not desired. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to be observant and clarify with the obstetrician once anything as subtle as stomach cramps or spotting is noticed.

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References

 

Dashiell, A., & Kelly, K. (2018). Bleeding and Spotting During Pregnancy: What’s Normal, What’s Not. Retrieved from https://www.parents.com/pregnancy/my-body/is-it-safe/bleeding-during-pregnancy-whats-normal-whats-not/

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology UC Davis Health. (2018). Understanding Early Miscarriage | UC Davis Obstetrics and Gynecology. Retrieved from https://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/obgyn/services/FP/early_misccariage.html

Migala, J. (2018). 5 Early Miscarriage Symptoms That Should Be On Your Radar. Retrieved from https://www.womenshealthmag.com/life/a19993261/early-miscarriage-symptoms/

Spotting During Pregnancy. (2017). Retrieved from http://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-concerns/spotting-during-pregnancy/