What Causes Period Like Bleeding During Early Pregnancy?

Last updated on July 27th, 2018 at 05:06 pm

Are you worried why you have period like bleeding during early pregnancy? Do you see blood clots from vagina? Are you experiencing period like cramps at 5, 6, 7 or 8 weeks of pregnancy?

If you are expecting, any form of vaginal bleeding or cramping can cause panic. However, quite often, dark brown spotting during pregnancy is not at all times abnormal.

The truth is about 30 percent of pregnant women will experience vaginal bleeding in the first three months, and in most of these women, it does not affect their baby or pregnancy.

In most cases, implantation bleeding is the cause; However, period like bleeding during early pregnancy may indicate something serious.

Vaginal infections, sexual intercourse, miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy could cause women to spot during pregnancy with or without a low abdomen pain.

Rarely bleeding disorders and cervical trauma ( after your doctor’s examination) may cause women to spot.

This article explains the causes of period like bleeding when pregnant, what steps you can take to stop your bleeding, and signs that show a serious medical problem or danger to your baby.

What causes period like bleeding during early pregnancy?

If you are spotting during pregnancy, and its heavy, these are possible causes

1.  Implantation bleeding

In women that are expecting a baby, unprotected sexual intercourse during your fertile window will increase your chances to conceive.

In some women, implantation bleeding may be the first sign of pregnancy after fertilization.

Fertilization is the union of sperm from the man, and the egg from your ovaries, resulting in an embryo that develops to your baby. This process usually takes about 12 to 24 hours after ovulation at the fallopian tubes

The truth is, in normal pregnancy, the embryo is pushed back into the uterus (womb) where it gets attached to the endometrial tissue covering the uterus.

If this happens, it may cause SOME women to bleed before their next period.

In most women, implantation bleeding is not as heavy as period and takes about 6 to 12 days after conception for show up. However, very rarely, some women may experience heavy implantation bleeding.

Implantation blood from the vagina is old deoxygenated blood; This means a dark, black, brownish or sometimes pinkish colored stain on your panties.

If you are a week away from your next period and you are experiencing spotting after unprotected sexual intercourse weeks back, it’s likely implantation bleeding.

However, if you’ve already confirmed pregnancy, missed your period and experience period like bleeding, these are the possible causes

2.  Sexual intercourse

When you get pregnant, it very easy to worry about your baby getting hurt during sexual intercourse.

Within the uterus, the lower part (the cervix) keeps your baby safe from trauma or and also prevents ascending infections.

The truth is a lot of women during pregnancy will experience bleeding during intercourse. However, it’s not because your baby is bleeding, but due to cervical or vaginal wall trauma.

During pregnancy, the cervix and vaginal wall are very fragile because of increased blood supply. Minor trauma, like sexual intercourse, may cause bleeding

However, it does not take a long time for spotting to stop. Some women may experience cramps too.

It’s advisable to use a lubricant during intercourse to help ease friction and prevent this kind of spotting.

3. You have a miscarriage

If you are experiencing a heavy bleeding during pregnancy, it could be due to a miscarriage happening.

Miscarriage is the commonest problem women will experience in their first trimester; More than 10 percent of women who already know that they are pregnant ( in the first three months) will end up having a miscarriage;

Miscarriage involves a sudden loss of your baby before it can survive on its own outside your womb.

Though most common reason for a spontaneous abortion are genetic disorders beyond your control, there are risk factors that increase your chances of having a miscarriage; They are

• Age more than 35
• Alcohol intake when pregnant
• Obesity
• Abdominal trauma
• Long-term diabetes or hypertension

If you have a miscarriage, you will experience cramping abdomen pain and vaginal bleeding.

Vaginal bleeding is the most commonly encountered symptom of a miscarriage and could be light spotting or very heavy bleeding in some women.

Some women may also experience excruciating pain in the lower abdomen as the uterus forces out your baby by contracting.

On the other hand, bleeding during pregnancy does not always suggest you will miscarry. Research shows that more than 50 percent of women who inform their doctor of vaginal bleeding while pregnant, may not have complications.

What can I do?

Should you have heavy bleeding like your period during pregnancy, it’s best you talk to your doctor ASAP.

In women who are Rhesus negative, a slow response may put your baby and future pregnancies at risk.

4. You have an ectopic pregnancy

After fertilization, through ciliary action and muscular assistance from your fallopian tubes, the embryo is slowly transported into the uterus.

In some women, this process will occur abnormally and result in the baby developing outside the uterus. This is abnormal and can cause grave outcomes if not quickly managed by your doctor.

The truth is less than 50 percent of women with an ectopic pregnancy will have vaginal bleeding. However, a common symptom is abdominal pain.

Other symptoms that suggest an ectopic pregnancy are

• Sharp abdominal pain during pregnancy
• Fast heart rate
• Dizziness
• Shoulder tip pain
• Low blood pressure
• Vaginal bleeding

If you are pregnant with vaginal bleeding, abdominal cramps with any of these symptoms, it’s likely you have an ectopic pregnancy.

The chances are higher if you’ve had tubal surgery in the past, left a vaginal infection untreated for a long time, older than 35 years or had a previous ectopic pregnancy.

What to do?

You don’t have to wait too long, talk to your doctor right away.

Period like bleeding during pregnancy 5 weeks

If you experience spotting at five weeks pregnant, it may indicate a serious problem and could be due to a miscarriage;

Chances of a miscarriage are very high at 5 weeks, and you should inform your doctor.

Also if you are spotting after sexual intercourse, it should resolve on its own. Having said that, severe cramping pains and heavy bleeding are abnormal.

Period like bleeding during early pregnancy 6 weeks

If you’re now six weeks pregnant with mild vaginal bleeding; you should meet your midwife or doctor for a clinical check-up.

In most cases, it’s not something you should worry about; If there is a problem, you doctor will let your know the best steps to take

Also, the fear of a miscarriage reduces, though it may happen. You doctor will require you rest more, eat healthily and take water a lot.

Period like bleeding during pregnancy 7 weeks

At seven weeks you could still have a miscarriage, though the chances decrease with every week that passes by;

Mild bleeding and cramping can occur due to increased uterine perfusion. So don’t panic if you experience light spotting and cramps.

You will get some more advised from your doctor; So don’t wait too long.

Period like bleeding during pregnancy 8 weeks

Bleeding during pregnancy at eight weeks may still be due to a miscarriage; However, the chances are very slim. About 3 percent of women may miscarry at 8 weeks of pregnancy.

How to stop bleeding during pregnancy

If you are pregnant and bleeding, you should know a miscarriage can happen. On the other hand, if not heavy, it could be from minor issues.

The first step is to let your doctor know ASAP (within the first three days). Blood test, an ultrasound scan will be carried out to rule out any danger to your baby.

Rhesus negative women will need anti-rhesus, though not necessary if your male partner is Rhesus-negative.

Other ways you can help without a doctor are

• Plenty of bed rest
• Taking a lot of water
• Taking pain relief for cramps
• Stop smoking, severe exercise and alcohol

Worried why you have period-like bleeding while pregnant? Let us know.