Spotting or bleeding During Early Pregnancy

Introduction to Spotting During Early Pregnancy

Spotting during early pregnancy is quite common, about 20% to 30% of pregnant women will experience light bleeding or spotting in early pregnancy. When it occurs to you, do not panic as about half of pregnancy can carry out without any harm after light bleeding or spotting. But you should see gynaecologist as soon as possible for consultation even the spotting or light bleeding stop. This is because spotting can also be a sign of miscarriage.

Cause of Spotting in Early Pregnancy 1: Implantation causes spotting or bleeding

When the fertilized egg is implanted in the lining of the uterus, it may cause bleeding during pregnancy. This is usually a harmless spotting. Implantation bleeding should be very light.

Cause of Spotting During Pregnancy 2: Breakthrough bleeding

Bleeding that can be caused by the hormone that control your menstrual cycles. This hormone may trigger bleeding when your period is due and is termed "breakthrough bleeding" which is usually harmless.

Cause of Spotting During Pregnancy 3: IVF Treatment

When you undergoes IVF treatment and have more than 1 embryo put into your uterus to implant. In the end, only one may go on to develop, the others will not develop and this can trigger bleeding during pregnancy.

Cause of Spotting 4: Spotting can be a sign of Miscarriage

Bleeding can be a sign of miscarriage. If it is the miscarriage that causes the bleeding, the bleeding will get heavier and heavier. Other signs of miscarriage include strong cramp or pain in the lower abdomen and there is tissue passing through the vagina.

Most of the miscarriages cannot be prevented. It is the body's way to tell us that the pregnancy is not healthy and pregnancy should not be continued.

Cause of Spotting 5: Ectopic Pregnancy can cause spotting or bleeding

Ectopic pregnancy refers to pregnancy which the fertilized egg is implanted outside the uterus. Ectopic pregnancy will also cause bleeding in the early pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy poses serious harm to the women and should be removed immediately.

Cause of Spotting During Pregnancy 6: Sex during pregnancy

Some women may bleed after sex during early pregnancy. This is because the cervix is very tender and sensitive and may bleed once it is irritated. Sex should be discontinued immediately if bleeding is seen.

Cause of Spotting During Pregnancy 7: Molar pregnancy

This is a rare cause of bleeding or spotting in the early pregnancy. It refers to the growth of abnormal tissue instead of an embryo in the uterus during pregnancy.

What you should do about spotting during early pregnancy?

1. See the gynaecologist immediately. Many doctors in Singapore will perform some tests such as ultrasound scan to check the health of the embryo and may prescribe some medicine for you. Do take the medicine as instructed by the doctor while you are at home.

2. Avoid sex during pregnancy. If you want to have sex during pregnancy, it is better to do in the second trimester during pregnancy.

3. You may want to wear a pad to monitor the amount of bleeding. Do alert your doctor if there is an increase in the amount of blood you see.

4. Try to rest more and avoid carrying or moving things are heavy during pregnancy.

Common Questions about Spotting During Early Pregnancy

Question 1: How to differentiate spotting or bleeding due to implantation from those of period?

Answer: For period, the bleeding is usually heavy at the beginning and becomes lighter and lighter. For spotting or bleeding due to implantation during your pregnancy, the bleeding or spotting should be very light.

Question 2: How to differentiate spotting due to implantation from miscarriage during pregnancy?

Answer: If it is the implantation that causes the bleeding, it should be very light throughout and may last several days. If it is the sign of miscarriage, the spotting or bleeding will usually get heavier and heavier.

Question 3: Does implantation bleeding or spotting always occur during pregnancy?

Answer: Not. A little bit of blood may be released at the time of implantation, but in most cases is too insignificant to be noticed by the pregnant women.

Question 4: How long does the implantation bleeding or spotting during pregnancy last?

Answer: Many pregnant women will see the bleeding or spotting once during pregnancy. Some may see it for one or two days. If it lasts longer, pregnant women are advised to seek doctor's help right away.

Question 5: I had cramping yesterday and it felt like my period is coming. This morning, I had a dry spot of blood on my knicker. So I wipes and it was light bleeding, and I went to check a few hours later and it stopped. Any idea of what is going on? Am I pregnant?

Answer: Chance of pregnancy is quite high. Light cramping and spotting is a reliable sign of pregnancy. You may want to perform a pregnancy test two days later to confirm whether you are pregnant. Do monitor cramping and spotting. If you are pregnant and cramping or spotting persist, you must report to your gynaecologist as soon as possible.

Question 6: I'm 5 weeks pregnant. Me and my boyfriend just had sex about 20 min ago. I went to the bathroom and when I wiped there was a little blood along with his sperm. It wasn't much blood. I would say like two or three drops. My mom said its most likely from just having sex. I'm scared. Could this be a miscarriage? I'm buying a pregnancy test right now. Please help!

Answer: When you are pregnant, your body will be just more sensitive down there. Your situation may be a slight tear because of your sex activity. If it is a few drops of blood, you do not need to worry. If it gets heavier, you should see the doctor immediately as it can then be a sign of miscarriage. Furthermore, you may consider stopping sex during early pregnancy and only resume it in the second trimester of pregnancy. In the third trimester of pregnancy, you should also consider stopping sex to avoid preterm labor.

Question 7: I am not bleeding I am spotting. I had unprotected sex so right now it will be 7 weeks if I am pregnant. My period was supposed to come on 13th of this month, but it is now already late by 7 days. All I am getting is brown spotting. Is this my period or could I be pregnant. My boobs also get more sensitive. Furthermore, my spotting goes on and off. What do you think?

Answer: Answer: It is possible that you are pregnant. You should take a pregnancy test as soon as possible to confirm whether you are pregnant. Once confirmed, you should try to see a doctor if your spotting does not stop as spotting that last long can be a sign of miscarriage.

Question 8: I am in pregnancy week 8, I had spotting in week 5 and doctor has given me some drug for spotting. Spotting does stop after 2 days. But it now come back. What should I do?

It is better for you to see the doctor. It looks like your spotting is not the normal implantation bleeding during pregnancy. Try to see your gynaecologist who can give you a more thorough check.

Question 9: When is implantation bleeding?

Answer: Implantation happens between 6 and 12 days after ovulation, so about 9-10 days after ovulation would be the right time for implantation bleeding and spotting to occur.

Question 10: Implantation bleeding?Last week my boy friend and I had sex, but we use condom. In the last few days I experienced darker brown discharge . My period will only come in a few more weeks. Could this be implantation bleeding?

Answer:Based on your answer, this is very unlikely to be implantation bleeding. Vaginal discharge due to implantation should be light.

Spotting is normal and common at any point in a woman's cycle.