Bleeding in Pregnancy
Bleeding in early pregnancy affects up to 10% of pregnant women. In the majority the pregnancy will continue and will be fine. An ultrasound scan will help determine the status of pregnancy. Bleeding may also be due to infection and growths in the vagina or cervix. This is a good opportunity for a visit to you gynae for an examination and a pap smear. The most common cause of bleeding in pregnancy is post-coital (after sexual intercourse). This is common in pregnancy. if you do not have a recent pap smear or the episode is your first in the pregnancy - seek your gynae check-up. If all is normal, future post coital bleeds are harmless.
  • IF IT IS PAINLESS AND MINIMAL - DO NOT PANIC
  • IF IT IS ASSOCIATED WITH CRAMPS OR IF IT SOAKS YOUR PAD EVERY HOUR AND YOU ALREADY CHANGED INTO YOUR 4TH PAD, SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION
  • MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH YOUR OBSTETRICIAN (GYNAE) THE FOLLOWING DAY AND HAVE A SCAN


This can be very distressing. It is fortunately, most often, harmless.


The cervix undergoes changes during pregnancy that makes it bleed more often to touch or friction. This is called ectropion. This is the most common cause of bleeding later in pregnancy. This is also the cause of bleeding after sex during pregnancy.


Rarely the bleed is due to a growth in the cervix such as cancer, especially if there has not been a recent pap smear.


Infection also predisposes to bleeding. There usually is accompanying vaginal discharge.


The two most important conditions that need to be considered are as follows:


  1. Placenta previa
  • painless
  • placenta is low, covering the area of outlet of the womb, on ultrasound scan
  1. Placental Abruption
  • painful
  • placenta is usually not low
  • uterus may be painful to touch

Both the conditions are life-threatening.

As it may be difficult to differentiate the causes, all bleeding should be checked with your obstetrician.