Bleeding in Pregnancy

Bleeding in pregnancy isn't normal and should always be reported to your midwife or doctor.

There are a few reasons why bleeding can occur, and the most common are outlined below.

Implantation Bleeding

This occurs when the fertilized egg is implanting into the wall of the uterus. It can cause some of the lining (which is basically a thick layer of blood) to come away. Because the blood has to make its way through the cervix before it leaves your vagina, it will clot as blood solidifies once it’s shed from its vessel i.e. a vein. It only takes blood 5 minutes to clot, and this is why you may notice the blood loss as clots, rather than blood.

Post-coital bleed

This is when you notice bleeding after sexual intercourse with your partner. The bleeding normally comes from your cervix which can be very sensitive during pregnancy. This is not usually serious, but should still be reported to your health professional as soon as you can.

Threatened Miscarriage

This is when you have been at risk of losing the pregnancy, but your body recovers and the pregnancy continues.

With a threatened miscarriage you may have crampy, low abdominal pain which is almost like the pain you may have when you are having your period.

The bleeding normally comes from the placental site, and you will notice clots for the same reason above. Be reassured by the fact that 70-80% of threatened miscarriages go on to be full term healthy babies.

Miscarriage

Sadly, bleeding may sometimes lead to a miscarriage, in which case you may notice the same feelings as above. Crampy, low abdominal pain and bleeding.

Occasionally you may discover that while you are bleeding you have lost the baby as it passes through you vagina and this is obviously very distressing. It may be that a sonographer finds no heartbeat at a scan.

We may never know why a miscarriage has occurred, but we do know that it is very common with around 15% of pregnancies ending this way.

As mentioned before, bleeding isn’t normal during pregnancy and although it may be that the baby is fine and your pregnancy continues healthily, please always contact your GP or midwife immediately.
 

Claire Parry RM November 2006