Bleeding during pregnancy

During pregnancy, those affected often react particularly sensitively to physical changes. After all, they want to protect their child's health. Therefore, above all, solve Bleeding during pregnancy often panic. Some causes of bleeding are harmless and some are serious. Overall, a doctor should always be consulted to examine the mother and child.

Not entirely clear: Period or intermenstrual bleeding?

A period is not possible during pregnancy. After all, the goal of menstruation is to remove the lining of the uterus from the body. However, when the egg has been fertilized, it makes its way to the uterus, where the mucous membrane is needed for the egg to implant. Pregnancy and your period at the same time are mutually exclusive.

Menstruation would force the fertilized egg cell out of the body with the lining of the uterus. Even so, it happens to some women Bleeding during pregnancy. These are sometimes misinterpreted. This is because recurrent bleeding occurs in the first few weeks of pregnancy. However, this is not menstrual blood.

The bleeding is much weaker than the usual period and is usually not noticeable cyclically. Other factors may be the cause, such as implantation bleeding or hormonal changes. But because bleeding can also have serious causes, a doctor's visit is always advisable.

Causes of Bleeding During Pregnancy

There are many causes of bleeding during pregnancy. Often times they differ depending on the time of pregnancy. A distinction is made between early and late pregnancy.

• In early pregnancy

In early pregnancy, implantation bleeding can be responsible for the symptoms. Ten days after fertilization, the egg cell migrates into the uterus via the fallopian tubes. This can lead to injuries to the mucous membrane, which are manifested by bleeding. Implantation bleeding is harmless and mild. The light-colored blood emerges through droplets and often subsides after a few hours.

In addition, bleeding after sexual intercourse is possible because the reproductive organs are particularly well supplied with blood during pregnancy. The spotting disappears quickly and poses no danger to the unborn child. Damage to the mucous membrane cannot be ruled out with a PAP smear to check for an HPV infection. Such a smear is usually only taken if there is a specific suspicion.

An extrauterine pregnancy is more serious. In this case, the egg cell has not lodged in the uterus, but in the fallopian tube, for example. There are sometimes life-threatening complications. An ectopic pregnancy is often terminated by the body. If it does not come to a natural end, pregnant women should be fully informed about the risks.

Ectopic pregnancies occur at about a 1 to two percent frequency. In contrast to earlier times, however, they rarely end with the death of the mother. In the worst case, the bleeding means an abortion.

• In the second half of pregnancy

Bleeding is less common in the second half of pregnancy. They may indicate an unsuitable location of the placenta previa. Such bleeding must be treated because otherwise the loss of blood puts mother and child at risk. Premature detachment of the placenta is accompanied by severe pain.

However, most of the blood flows inward. The pregnant woman needs medical treatment as soon as possible. In addition, premature opening of the cervix can be responsible for the bleeding. Because premature births can occur, control is necessary.

What to do in case of bleeding during pregnancy

Bleeding during pregnancy is often nothing to worry about, especially in the first few weeks. Nevertheless, they should always be clarified gynecologically and taken seriously. Self-treatment is not recommended. The complaints should never be ignored.

Missing a doctor's appointment can endanger the health of both the child and the mother. During pregnancy in particular, it makes sense to consult a doctor too often rather than not clarifying symptoms such as bleeding.

How can you prevent bleeding during pregnancy?

Bleeding during pregnancy can only be prevented to a limited extent by appropriate behavior. Pregnant women should avoid falls and accidents and should be more careful in sexual intercourse. In this way, bruising and injuries in the area of ​​the uterine lining can be partially prevented. Regular check-ups provide information about the risk of suffering from complications in the further pregnancy.

In such a case it may be necessary to take it easy until delivery. Ultimately, any bleeding that occurs must be clarified. During sports activities, there is better blood flow to the body and also to the genital organs. Therefore, the increased movement should first be suspended until the cause is diagnosed. A general generalization cannot be made.

In principle, however, exercise is recommended during pregnancy. The same applies to sexual intercourse: once the cause has been found, nothing stands in the way of sex. The fear of harming the child or increasing the likelihood of a miscarriage is unfounded.

Signs of a Miscarriage?

Bleeding during pregnancy can be both harmless and serious. It is therefore important to always see a doctor and have the cause clarified. Often it is just an implantation bleeding, but sometimes a miscarriage is also an indication.

All preventive measures offered should be accepted and physical changes should be medically examined. Avoiding falls and other accidents is recommended to prevent bleeding. Otherwise the complaints cannot be counteracted preventively.