Many women do not discover they are pregnant until the end of trimester one. Throughout the first three months of pregnancy they continue to experience a range of premenstrual symptoms including headaches, bloating and some vaginal bleeding.
Other women, who have confirmed their pregnancy with a blood test or home pregnancy test, find the spotting that may occur alarming, and worry that they have had a miscarriage. All vaginal bleeding is a cause for concern and if you are experiencing spotting at any stage of your pregnancy you should consult your doctor.
Vaginal spotting may occur about seven days after conception. Called implantation bleeding, it is normal; the result of new blood vessels being formed. Women who track their fertility by recording their basal body temperature may notice a slight rise, about one degree, which lasts longer than ten days. Period changes will become noticeable between week four and week five, but this early in pregnancy the hormoneA complex chemical substance created in a part or organ of the body. When released it initiates or regulates activity in an organ or group of cells in another part of the body.
Hormones secreted by endocrine glands are transported through the bloodstream to their target organ. The amount of hormone secreted is regulated either by other hormones, by neurotransmitters, or simply when an excess of the organ's activity indicates a need to reduce the amount of the hormone produced.
Other hormones are produced locally by the organs themselves and are common in the digestive tract.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. levels may not be high enough to prevent breakthrough spotting.
Implantation bleeding occurs in about 20-25% (1 in 4 or 5) of all pregnancies. The majority of these pregnancies end with the delivery of a healthy baby nine months later.
If you experience vaginal bleeding during the first trimester you should consult your doctor. Your doctor is the best person to advise you about the appropriate treatment. Although there is no safe treatment to prevent continued bleeding, your doctor may advise you to rest or spend a few days in bed, and avoid strenuous activity.
Everybody is different, and your doctor will understand you and your medical history and determine the best course of treatment. An ultrasound may be performed to confirm that everything is normal and that there is a heartbeat in the baby. A positive scan will increase the chance of a successful birth to eighty percent. It will also assure you that your pregnancy is on track, and some studies suggest that positive reassurance can contribute to a healthy pregnancy.
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You should always consult a doctor about any vaginal bleeding you experience during the second trimester. As your cervixThe part of the uterus that protrudes into the vaginal cavity. It is separated from the bladder by the parametrium. The vaginal end of the cervix contains the cervical canal.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. becomes more sensitive during this time, you may have light, spotty bleeding after sex, strenuous activity or an internal exam. If your bleeding is heavier, it is likely to be a problem such as placenta previa, in which the placentaThe placenta is a large disk shaped membrane responsible for providing nourishment to the fetus during pregnancy. It consists of three parts, the fetal part made up from the chorion membrane surrounding the fetus, the maternal part, formed from the decidua basalis layer of the uterine lining, and the intervillous space between the two plates. It is connected to the fetus by the umbilical cord and consists of tissue from both the mother and the embryo.
Its function is complex. It has been described as a simple organ that combines the functions of a kidney-dialysis machine, heart and lung machine and intravenous drip. It consists of enormous numbers of blood vessel branches that permit the exchange of nutrition and oxygen, from the mother's bloodstream to the fetus and the removal of wastes to the mother to be excreted. The placenta's remarkable quality is that it does so without the blood of the mother mixing with that of the baby.
It also is responsible for the production of vital hormones including, estrogen, progesterone, and human chorionic gonadotropin. After birth, the placenta is delivered, and is sometimes referred to as the afterbirth.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. covers the cervixThe part of the uterus that protrudes into the vaginal cavity. It is separated from the bladder by the parametrium. The vaginal end of the cervix contains the cervical canal.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions., or placental abruption, in which the placenta has separated from the wall of the uterus. Although these complications are more common during the third trimester, you should treat this as an emergency and consult your doctor immediately.
Within four weeks of your estimated due dateSometimes abbreviated to EDD, or referred to as the Estimated Date of Delivery. The EDD is calculated as 280 days after the first day of the last menstrual period.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions., you may notice a blood stained mucus discharge that looks like your period is beginning. This is a normal sign that your body is preparing for labor, by beginning the process of thinning and dilating the cervix. You may enter labor any time in the next couple of weeks. Inform your doctor about the 'bloody show.'
If, during a previous exam your doctor discovered a cervical polyp, then there is a risk that it may have bled, leaving you with the symptoms described above. Your doctor will tell you if any further examination is required.
A bright red, heavy flow should be treated as an emergency. Although rare, prepartum hemorrhage needs immediate diagnosis, preferably through ultrasound, since vaginal and rectal examinations could aggravate the condition.
Bleeding during delivery is normal, and if necessary, a combination of Credé, a uterine massage, and medications will be used to control it. If the amount of blood lost in the twenty four hours following delivery exceeds 17 ounces (500 ml), then you have a more serious condition called postpartum hemorrhage that will need to be treated.
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