I'm pregnant and have spotting. What to do if spotting appears in the early stages of pregnancy - the doctor advises

It's a rare woman who doesn't dream of a small miracle. It's about having your own baby. In fact, pregnancy is a wonderful period in the life of every representative of the fair half of humanity. In addition, this time is accompanied by a huge number of surprises and troubles. Sometimes they turn out to be not entirely pleasant. During pregnancy, the expectant mother's body experiences enormous stress. That is why it sometimes simply fails. For example, bloody discharge during pregnancy often worries many women. What are the reasons for this process, how to deal with it, is it worth worrying and worrying about this?

To begin with, it is worth noting that panic is inappropriate here. There is no need to do this under any circumstances. The fact is that many women experience bleeding during pregnancy. According to statistics, eighty percent of all people in this situation may experience similar troubles during the first three months. However, these mothers quite calmly bear and give birth to healthy children. The cause of this phenomenon may be the active blood supply to the internal genital organs or their increased sensitivity. This is not the entire list. There are actually a huge number of reasons why. Most often this happens after an ultrasound examination, especially if it is transvaginal. Gynecologists use a special mirror during examination, after which similar discharge may also appear. During pregnancy, almost all couples continue to have sex. If, as a result, a woman experiences irritation of the mucous membrane of the vagina or cervix, it is quite possible that a small amount of blood will appear.

In addition to all this, many expectant mothers sometimes experience so-called minor placental abruption. Blood gradually accumulates under this thin membrane. As a result, a woman experiences bleeding during pregnancy.

On some days, a pregnant girl may feel slight pain in the lower abdomen. This often happens during the period when you used to have your period. Bloody discharge during pregnancy these days is far from uncommon. This is the result of a hormonal imbalance in the female body, which is most often characteristic of the first months of fetal development. It's absolutely safe. Such discharge will pass quickly.

A woman should pay attention, first of all, to the frequency and nature of discharge during pregnancy. If they are so abundant that she has to change the pad once an hour, she should urgently contact a specialist. In addition, bleeding during pregnancy may represent the release of large blood clots. This is a very alarming signal. In this case, there is a high probability of losing your baby if measures are not taken in time. Bloody dark brown discharge symbolizes the presence of a hematoma.

An ectopic pregnancy is accompanied by bloody discharge. In most cases, with an advanced form, doctors are forced to remove the tube and rinse the entire abdominal cavity. Another fairly common cause of such discharge is the so-called frozen pregnancy. The fetus dies, and the woman’s body tries to get rid of it in this way. Happening

There are a huge number of reasons for such a process, as already mentioned. The above are not all examples of this phenomenon. In any case, if you experience such discharge, you should immediately consult your doctor. There is no need to try to deal with this problem on your own. Self-medication will only do harm. It is best to visit your gynecologist, he will determine the cause of the blood, prescribe treatment, reassure and dispel all your doubts.

Pregnancy is a wonderful time for any woman, but spotting during pregnancy can overshadow this period.

Any discharge causes worry and anxiety in future parents. However, in some cases this is the norm, in others it is really a reason for worry, so it is important to be able to distinguish between the moments when you should see a doctor and when to take this phenomenon calmly.

How to behave in such a situation?

In general, if you are expecting your first child, spotting in the first weeks of pregnancy will cause panic.

But you should remain calm and under no circumstances give in to panic. It is necessary to understand the reasons that are hidden behind these secretions. Of course, sometimes various types of discharge indicate the presence of pathology, but not always.

Often, even if the occurrence of bleeding is outside the normal range, it does not pose a threat to the child or his mother. However, this does not mean that, having discovered the presence of discharge, you should dismiss it and treat it as a natural coincidence. It is necessary to monitor other symptoms accompanying this phenomenon. The first thing the expectant mother should do is contact her attending physician. It is worth giving up on independent attempts to establish a diagnosis, as this can cause unpredictable consequences.

What's behind the discharge?

Bloody discharge in early pregnancy has many causes and causes. Moreover, in this case, this state of affairs is often the norm. It is worth considering the moments when spotting during early pregnancy does not pose a threat and is natural.

Bloody discharge during pregnancy at 1 or 2 weeks, if there are no other alarming symptoms, is normal. During this period, the egg is implanted into the uterine mucosa. This process may be accompanied by damage to the blood vessels, as a result of which the blood discharge will mix with normal discharge and come out of the vagina.

Under this set of circumstances, the discharge has a light brown tint, and sometimes even pinkish or beige. Another distinctive feature of this type of discharge will be its single nature, since damaged vessels will heal quickly.

In addition, the discharge does not cause any inconvenience to the expectant mother. They are harmless, have no odor, are not accompanied by itching or redness, and are not accompanied by pain.

Among other things, this kind of discharge is a kind of harbinger of pregnancy. Almost any woman at the time of implantation of the egg into the uterus does not even suspect that she is pregnant, and most often attributes discharge with a bloody component to the beginning of the menstrual cycle. Therefore, if you pay more attention to your own body and observe all the changes in it, you can determine the onset of pregnancy without tests.

Points to start worrying

Next will begin a list of moments that pose a real danger to the child or expectant mother. Often, bright red discharge indicates a high risk of miscarriage. This is associated with detachment of the placenta or ovum. In the location where the egg was detached, vessels remain that are damaged.

Detachment occurs mainly due to a deficiency of the female hormone or progesterone. This hormone is responsible for preparing the endometrium to connect the uterine mucosa with an already fertilized egg. In cases where there is a deficiency or complete absence of the female hormone, the fertilized egg is rejected by the endometrium. It is worth noting that the discharge in this case can be both scanty and abundant.

It is worth highlighting other symptoms that accompany egg rejection: severe nausea, pain in the abdominal area, vomiting. If discharge and other specific symptoms are detected, you should immediately call an ambulance. In addition, the expectant mother should give up all physical activity.

However, pregnant women should be reassured, since in this condition there is a chance of saving the pregnancy if they consult a doctor in a timely manner. Pregnant women are usually prescribed medications that contain progesterone. Among them it is worth highlighting Utrozhestan.

Another alarming phenomenon that bleeding during pregnancy indicates is an ectopic pregnancy. It is worth saying right away that this diagnosis will be very alarming. This phenomenon is characterized by the attachment of the fertilized egg not to the mucous membrane of the uterus, but to the fallopian tube. The egg will increase in size as it grows. This will cause the fallopian tube to rupture. This combination of circumstances poses a threat to a woman’s life. An ectopic pregnancy significantly reduces the possibility of having children in the future.

Another unpleasant diagnosis will be hydatidiform mole. The disease is still not fully understood. It was noted that with this pathology there is a chromosomal abnormality in the fetus, as a result of which there was an assumption that such a pathology appears when an egg is fertilized by two different sperm. This condition is specific in that a neoplasm is formed from the placenta, which is classified as benign.

As a result, we can say that there are many reasons for bleeding during pregnancy, and they do not always indicate the presence of any pathology that poses a danger to the child. It is always necessary to monitor yourself and note all changes. In addition, you should refrain from independence and consult a doctor if you have any suspicions. Any condition must be explainable, the cause of this or that concern must be found. There should be close contact with the attending physician, but panic should not be allowed in any case. It is important to remain calm and follow all doctor's instructions.

During pregnancy, a woman’s attention to her body becomes maximum, and even natural physiological changes cause anxiety. But how can we distinguish groundless fears from truly threatening conditions? What to expect from bleeding in the early stages, and can they be a harbinger of trouble?

Implantation of the fertilized egg into the uterine mucosa

On days 7-9 after fertilization of the egg, the fertilized egg is implanted into the uterine mucosa. This process may be accompanied by minor damage to the blood vessels, and the woman will notice a light brown, creamy discharge that is not accompanied by abdominal pain or other noticeable discomfort. In all other cases, the appearance of spotting during pregnancy is not the norm, and the severity of the situation is determined by its intensity.

Lack of progesterone

A relatively favorable reason for the appearance of scanty brown discharge may be a lack of progesterone. This is not dangerous for the fetus and mother, and is easily corrected by taking synthetic analogues of this hormone. A lack of progesterone in the future may lead to premature birth.

Ectopic pregnancy

Bloody discharge in the early stages may be a symptom. If the fertilized egg stops in the fallopian tube, it will become damaged as it grows. Usually, an ectopic pregnancy is diagnosed in a timely manner, and doctors remove the fertilized egg without damaging the tube tissue. Otherwise, at 5-6 weeks the size of the fetus will become too large and the fallopian tube will rupture, causing heavy bleeding.

Spontaneous termination of pregnancy

Bloody discharge mixed with mucus may indicate detachment of the fertilized egg and the threat of spontaneous abortion. Usually this condition is accompanied by cramping pain in the lower abdomen and nausea. If you notice similar signs, call an ambulance immediately. Before her arrival, you should avoid physical activity, lie down on the bed, try to restore even breathing and calm down. With timely help, the threat of miscarriage can be overcome, and hormonal therapy and bed rest can significantly improve the prognosis of pregnancy.

Frozen pregnancy

Another dangerous cause of brown and bloody discharge from the genital tract may be the cessation of fetal development and its death. When the dead fetus begins to release toxins, the woman’s body will begin to reject the fertilized egg. Signs of an approaching miscarriage will be spotting.

Diagnosis of frozen pregnancy occurs using ultrasound (absence of fetal heartbeat) and gynecological examination (the size of the uterus does not correspond to the gestational age).

What to do if you notice bloody vaginal discharge?

• If scanty brown discharge is not accompanied by other unpleasant symptoms, you should immediately consult a gynecologist. After the necessary tests have been carried out, the woman will be prescribed appropriate treatment.
• If, in addition to discharge, you feel abdominal pain, nausea, dizziness, call an ambulance immediately.
• While waiting for the medical team to arrive, lie down on the sofa and limit any physical activity.
• To calm down, take 15 drops of valerian tincture and try to restore normal breathing. Panic will only make the situation worse.
• To prevent pregnancy complications, visit your gynecologist regularly and do not forget about a healthy lifestyle.

Maria Nitkina

Bloody discharge during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester, occurs quite often, but 80% of women who experience it carry the pregnancy to term. Therefore, you should not panic at any appearance of discharge - small spots of blood (this is often what happens). But it is necessary to pay attention to this and strictly control the situation. So, what kind of discharge should you have during pregnancy?

What should you be wary of if discharge appears during pregnancy?

The intensity of discharge increases so much that you have to change the pad every hour. In any case, this indicates a threat of termination of pregnancy, and a serious threat at that. Therefore, you need to urgently visit a doctor or at least consult by phone.

What can cause spotting during pregnancy?

Small placental abruptions, under which blood accumulates and is subsequently released. If the discharge did not last long and disappeared, there is no reason to fear for the continuation of the pregnancy.

Slight brown discharge (spotting) may occur on the days when you had menstruation before pregnancy; this is hormonal and harmless. Usually in such cases, the discharge is accompanied by nagging pain in the lower back and lower abdomen.

The discharge may not come from the uterus at all, but from the vagina and lower genital tract - this happens if the mucous membrane is injured during sexual intercourse, especially if there is a vaginal polyp or erosion. Although erosions often disappear on their own during pregnancy - this is a hormonal disease - but not for everyone.

There is a discharge due to some sexually transmitted infections; a smear is needed to rule it out.

And the most common case of spotting in the early stages is the threat of miscarriage. This is determined quite simply, sometimes during a routine examination by a gynecologist, and in this case all appointments, including hospitalization, must be pedantically followed. The medical possibilities for maintaining pregnancy are great.

And in the end - about the sad. It’s sad, but 20% of those who were diagnosed with a threat of miscarriage due to discharge during pregnancy still lost their baby. It’s hard to come to terms with this, especially if it wasn’t easy. I know pregnant women who categorically refused to terminate their pregnancy and until the viability of the fetus - up to 28 weeks - lay flat and even periodically stood on their heads. And some managed to give birth to a viable child. But this heroism makes sense only in a situation where pregnancy is developing - this can be determined by the dynamics of the hCG hormone, and later by ultrasound and fetal heartbeats. Otherwise, the body gets rid of the foreign body, and resisting this is not only unnecessary work, but also a danger to the mother’s life.

Bearing a child in our time rarely occurs without problems and pathologies. And if a woman did not prepare for pregnancy and did not plan for it, then the risk of such circumstances increases. One of the troubles that can await an expectant mother at an early stage of pregnancy is bloody discharge. Is there spotting in early pregnancy? Is this always a danger sign? Why do they appear? What should the expectant mother do in such cases? Let's answer these questions.

Is spotting possible at the beginning of pregnancy?

Yes, it happens. After all, vaginal discharge from representatives of the fairer sex accompanies their entire lives. They are also present during pregnancy. Only at this time should we be more attentive to their appearance. In the early stages, their character changes. Some discharge is a variant of the norm, while others are a deviation from it. Therefore, changes in discharge should be discussed with the obstetrician-gynecologist observing the woman. Just don’t panic and worry ahead of schedule. Most of these problems are solved in the early stages of pregnancy, and quite successfully. And the expectant mother does not need unnecessary worries.

What does spotting in pregnant women in the early stages mean: causes

Only the attending obstetrician-gynecologist can accurately name the cause of this phenomenon. It depends on the nature of the discharge, its intensity, and color. But it would also be useful for the woman herself to know why this happens.

Brown discharge in early pregnancy

They are also called smearable. They can be red-brown, yellow-brown, dark brown, light brown, beige. Sometimes such spotting is a sign of alarm. If you find such stains on your underwear, you should contact your doctor and consult with him.

You need to know that the first scanty, bloody brown discharge appears on the first day of pregnancy. They are evidence that a fertilized egg has implanted into the wall of the uterus. Gynecologists call this process implantation. This may release a small amount of blood. Typically, this process occurs 7-10 days before the woman expects the start of her next menstruation.

Dark spotting that a woman observes at 4-8 weeks of pregnancy, when she already knows about her “interesting situation,” may indicate detachment of the ovum. This process is accompanied by rupture of blood vessels. It is dangerous and requires prompt medical intervention if the woman plans to continue the pregnancy. Doctors call this a threat of miscarriage and take therapeutic measures to stop the process that has begun.

It is possible that such discharge is evidence of an ectopic pregnancy. This situation is characterized by the attachment of the embryo not inside the uterus, but in the fallopian tubes, where normal gestation is impossible. In this case, spotting may turn into slight bleeding, accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen, lower back, and a general deterioration in the woman’s well-being. This is the most dangerous condition that threatens both the pregnant woman’s reproductive system and her life. When the diagnosis of “ectopic pregnancy” is confirmed, it is necessary to get rid of it.

Sometimes spotting is nothing more than cervical erosion. This is what doctors call inflammation of the epithelium, which is accompanied by the appearance of small ulcers and wounds. Some inexperienced specialists talk about a connection between erosion and cancer. But in fact, this pathology can be successfully treated and is not associated with oncology.

Slight bleeding after examination

If they are minor, then there is nothing wrong with it. This often happens after examination by gynecologists of ordinary healthy women. Light brown discharge should not be a cause for concern. These are simply microtraumas of blood vessels, slight damage to the mucous membranes. They can be provoked by a speculum or taking a smear from the vaginal mucosa, cervical canal, or urethra. The smear may slightly damage the tissue, which makes itself felt by bleeding. But in this case it quickly stops.

This situation is not evidence of the doctor’s unprofessionalism. You just need to monitor your condition. Usually, after an examination in a chair, a woman also feels some discomfort, which also goes away after a few hours.

Bloody discharge during menstruation

Sometimes hormonal imbalances lead to the fact that in the early stages of pregnancy a woman may continue to bleed similar to menstruation, in accordance with her menstrual cycle. Usually this happens in the second or third month of the term, no longer. It is precisely such deviations that create difficulties in determining pregnancy. But such minor bleeding does not pose a danger to pregnancy.

Scarlet spotting

This is a situation that threatens the unborn baby. Scarlet and profuse bleeding in the early stages is one of the most alarming signs. But even in this situation there is no need to be nervous, although you cannot hesitate: you need to act quickly. You must either get to the hospital yourself, or call an ambulance and lie down waiting for its arrival. The last option is wiser.

If scarlet discharge from the vagina is also accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen, pulling in the lower back, then this is a real threat of miscarriage. And the salvation of the child in this situation depends on the prompt action of the expectant mother herself and her doctor. There is no time to hesitate if a woman is going to leave the child. There is an opinion that this situation is natural selection. The strongest always survive, and if the fetus does not take root, then self-abortion occurs; nature rejects the non-viable weak organism in advance. For women who did not plan pregnancy, this is a normal outcome. And when conception was long-awaited, it is natural that the woman will do everything to maintain the pregnancy.

Another reason for bleeding of this nature may be a very rare pathology, which doctors call “hydatidiform mole.” It represents deviations in the process of fertilization of a female egg. The result of this violation is that no maternal DNA remains in the egg, but only paternal DNA. In such cases, naturally, the embryo cannot develop. There is no development of healthy placental tissue. The placenta forms pathologically, in the form of cysts on the wall of the uterus. By the way, on ultrasound it looks like bunches of grapes. The so-called hydatidiform mole requires surgical intervention.

Scarlet vaginal discharge is more often characteristic of those expectant mothers who have gone through the IVF procedure - in vitro fertilization. Another infrequent reason for their appearance is the rejection of one embryo during a natural multiple pregnancy. In such cases, doctors talk about a disappearing twin.

How to stop spotting in early pregnancy

If a woman has firmly decided to keep the child and notices bleeding, she should not hesitate. Usually the appearance of discharge is preceded by pain in the lower abdomen and tension. In such a situation, it is necessary to call an ambulance. Before she arrives, you need to lie down and put a cushion under your feet. If the expectant mother lives in a village, and the ambulance’s arrival is delayed, then you can take two tablets of No-shpa and valerian.

You cannot use any solutions for douching or washing, because the gynecologist must determine the cause of the pathology by the nature and color of the discharge. It is also prohibited to use hygienic tampons in such a situation. Only use pads or a clean cloth.

Without a prescription from a supervising gynecologist, it is prohibited to independently use progesterone-based hormonal drugs to stop bleeding.

After hospitalization, the exact cause of bleeding can be determined using ultrasound, blood and urine tests for the content of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). If its level is low, then most often the expectant mother is prescribed maintenance therapy. She is advised to stay in bed and take vitamins. The French drug Duphaston, which is a synthetic analogue of the female sex hormone progesterone, is often prescribed. To stop bleeding, the drugs Dicynon and Vikasol are used. Medicines that strengthen blood vessels, for example, Ascorutin, may also be prescribed. If there is a threat of miscarriage, drugs that increase the level of hemoglobin in the blood are recommended.

As a rule, if a pregnancy is desired and there is a threat of miscarriage, a woman is placed in a hospital for observation - you should not refuse this.

Especially for - Diana Rudenko