What Causes Period Like Bleeding During Early Pregnancy?

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. Important to know: any bleeding in pregnancy should be discussed with your doctor or midwife, especially if it is as heavy as your period, painful, or comes with dizziness or feeling faint.

However, quite often, dark brown spotting during pregnancy is not at all times abnormal.

The truth is about 20–25 percent of pregnant women will experience some vaginal bleeding or spotting in the first three months, and in many of these women, it does not affect their baby or pregnancy.

In some women, implantation bleeding is the cause; however, period like bleeding during early pregnancy may also indicate something more serious.

Vaginal infections, sexual intercourse, a subchorionic haematoma (a small blood clot near the pregnancy), 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 if you notice bleeding, and signs that show a serious medical problem or danger to your baby.

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What causes period like bleeding during early pregnancy?

If you are spotting during pregnancy, especially if it feels like your normal period or heavier, these are possible causes.

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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 shows up about 6 to 12 days after conception. It is usually light spotting only. If the bleeding is as heavy as your normal period or more, it is unlikely to be implantation bleeding and you should see a doctor or go to the hospital urgently. nbt.nhs.uk+1

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 could be implantation bleeding, but you cannot be 100 percent sure without a pregnancy test and, if needed, a check-up.

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

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2. Sexual intercourse

When you get pregnant, it is 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 and also helps prevent 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 this kind of 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.

Even though bleeding after sex is often harmless, you should still tell your doctor or midwife, especially if it is heavy, painful, or keeps happening. nhs.uk

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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; about 10–20 percent of known pregnancies (in the first 20 weeks) will end in a miscarriage. Cleveland Clinic+1

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

Though the most common reason for a spontaneous abortion is genetic or chromosomal disorders beyond your control, there are risk factors that increase your chances of having a miscarriage; they include:

• Age more than 35

• Alcohol intake when pregnant

• Smoking

• Obesity

• Abdominal trauma

• Long-term, poorly controlled diabetes or hypertension Cleveland Clinic

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 mean you will miscarry. Studies suggest that around half of women who experience bleeding or spotting in early pregnancy go on to have a normal pregnancy. nbt.nhs.uk+1

What can I do?

Should you have heavy bleeding like your period during pregnancy, it’s best you talk to your doctor immediately or go to an emergency unit. If you are soaking a pad in less than an hour, passing large clots, feeling dizzy, or have severe pain, you need urgent medical care.

In women who are Rhesus (Rh) negative, your doctor or midwife may recommend an injection called anti-D (Rh immunoglobulin) after bleeding, miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy to help protect future pregnancies, depending on your gestational age and local guidelines. Northeast OB/GYN+1

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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 (for example, in the fallopian tube). This is called an ectopic pregnancy. It is abnormal and can cause grave outcomes if not quickly managed by your doctor. ACOG+1

Common symptoms that suggest an ectopic pregnancy are:

• Sharp or one-sided abdominal pain during pregnancy

• Fast heart rate or feeling faint

• Dizziness

• Shoulder tip pain

• Low blood pressure or collapse

• Vaginal bleeding or brown watery discharge

If you are pregnant with vaginal bleeding and abdominal cramps together with any of these symptoms, you must see a doctor or go to the emergency room right away, as a ruptured ectopic pregnancy is life-threatening. NCBI+1

The chances are higher if you’ve had tubal surgery in the past, left a vaginal infection untreated for a long time, are older than 35 years, smoke, or had a previous ectopic pregnancy. RCOG+1

What to do?

You don’t have to wait too long – talk to your doctor immediately or attend the nearest emergency or early pregnancy unit if you suspect ectopic pregnancy.

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Period like bleeding during pregnancy 5 weeks

If you experience spotting at five weeks pregnant, it may indicate a serious problem such as a threatened miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy or a subchorionic bleed, so you should inform your doctor or early pregnancy clinic.

Miscarriage is more common in the very early weeks of pregnancy compared to later weeks, but many pregnancies with early spotting will still continue normally. nbt.nhs.uk+1

Also, if you are spotting after sexual intercourse, it may be from your cervix and can resolve on its own. Having said that, severe cramping pains, shoulder pain, feeling unwell, or heavy bleeding (like a normal period or more) are abnormal and need urgent review.

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

Also, the fear of a miscarriage reduces week by week once the pregnancy is developing well, especially after a heartbeat is seen on scan, though miscarriage can still happen. Cleveland Clinic

Your doctor will require you rest more, eat healthily and take water a lot. They may also arrange a repeat ultrasound or blood tests to monitor the pregnancy.

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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 if the pregnancy is progressing normally.

Mild bleeding and cramping can occur due to increased uterine perfusion. So don’t panic if you experience light spotting and mild cramps, but always mention it to your doctor or midwife.

You will get some more advice from your doctor; so don’t wait too long to be reviewed, especially if symptoms are getting worse.

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Period like bleeding during pregnancy 8 weeks

Bleeding during pregnancy at eight weeks may still be due to a miscarriage; however, the chances are lower than in the very early weeks, particularly if a heartbeat has already been seen on ultrasound. Even then, miscarriage is still possible. Cleveland Clinic

Any new vaginal bleeding at 8 weeks – especially if it is heavy or painful – should still be checked to rule out miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy or other problems.

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How to stop bleeding during pregnancy

If you are pregnant and bleeding, you should know a miscarriage can happen. On the other hand, if it is not heavy, it could be from minor issues such as implantation bleeding, cervical changes or a small subchorionic haematoma.

The first step is not to try to treat it at home alone – let your doctor or midwife know as soon as possible. If bleeding is heavy, painful, or you feel unwell, you should go to an emergency unit or early pregnancy clinic the same day. Blood tests and an ultrasound scan may be carried out to rule out any danger to your baby and to check for ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage. nhs.uk+1

Rhesus negative women may need an anti-D injection (Rh immunoglobulin) after bleeding, miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy to help protect future pregnancies, depending on local protocols and how many weeks pregnant you are.

Other ways you can help yourself while you are being assessed or after your doctor has reviewed you are:

• Plenty of rest and avoiding strenuous exercise or heavy lifting

• Taking a lot of water and staying hydrated

• Taking pain relief for cramps only if it is safe in pregnancy – usually paracetamol (acetaminophen); avoid ibuprofen or diclofenac unless your doctor says it is safe for you Bucks Healthcare

• Stop smoking and avoid alcohol and recreational drugs completely in pregnancy

These steps may help you feel better but cannot prevent a miscarriage if it is going to happen. Do not use herbal medicines, unknown tablets or home remedies to try to “stop” the bleeding without talking to your doctor.

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Worried why you have period-like bleeding while pregnant? Let us know in the comments or talk to your doctor or midwife for personalized advice.