There is so much going on this week. Your son’s dad was in an altercation with the law and his hospitalization is taking a toll on you. You have been to the hospital every night this week and you are exhausted. All of your attention has been on him and you have not paid attention to anything else including your menstrual period. It’s probably the stress that’s making you late but when that unmistakable red line pops up, you sink to the floor.
You are on an emotional rollercoaster right now. Flo tracker tells that you are approximately six weeks pregnant but you want official confirmation. You wake up at sunrise for your 2:00 p.m. doctor’s appointment because you feel increased moisture between your legs. While in the bathroom you notice a small amount of blood in your underwear. You are not worried because you had the same thing with your second son and he came out fine. Moreover, your appointment is today and you are sure it can wait until then. Around 12 Noon, the bleeding begins to increase and now there is some cramping. You are worried.
Your frantic call to the doctor’s office results in her recommendation to go to urgent care. With a somber face, the urgent care doctor tells you are having a miscarriage. The tears begin to flow and there is nothing the urgent care nurse can do to console you.
Early Bleeding & Miscarriage
There are several causes of early pregnancy bleeding. In fact, bleeding in the first trimester occurs in about one out of four pregnancies. In most instances, the pregnancy will go on to develop into human beings – but in some instances the pregnancy will result in a loss. Sadly, about one half of those who bleed during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy will suffer a miscarriage, medically termed a missed abortion.
In some instances, the body will abort or pass all of the pregnancy contents, termed a complete abortion wherein during an incomplete abortion some contents remain in the uterus. A procedure to clean out the uterus called a dilation and curettage (D&C) is needed to remove the rest of the uterine contents. In some cases the bleeding is short lived and is termed a threatened abortion with no passage of tissue.
Early Bleeding & Ectopic Pregnancy
An abnormal pregnancy outside of the uterus, termed an ectopic pregnancy most commonly occurs in the fallopian tube. Since the fallopian tube was not intended to house a pregnancy, these pregnancies should be addressed as soon as possible since the threat of tubal rupture can cause significant blood loss for the woman.
Early Bleeding & Cervical Polyps
Cervical polyps which are benign cervical growths and cervical irritation can be causes of first trimester bleeding but generally don’t result in the loss of the pregnancy.
Occasionally women will have bleeding after intercourse called “post coital pregnancy bleeding” that often resolves with the cessation of intercourse. Subchorionic bleeding or bleeding surrounding the fetus can cause early pregnancy bleeding but usually is self-limited.
What to Do if You Bleed in the First Trimester
Bleeding during early pregnancy is abnormal, so it is important to contact your OBGYN as soon as possible to discuss the symptoms you are experiencing. Early medical attention with ultrasound and bloodwork are usually implemented when first trimester bleeding occurs to help determine the cause.
First trimester bleeding can be a sign of a serious issue – but it is not always a cause for great concern. Remember, half of women with bleeding during pregnancy go on to deliver a healthy baby. To give your baby and yourself the best chance of a full term pregnancy and successful delivery, contact your OBGYN if you notice spotting or bleeding at any time while you are pregnant.
