A blood test may be done to measure human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG, pregnancy hormone). This substance is made by your body during pregnancy. You may have more than one test because hCG levels increase throughout pregnancy. Your blood type also will be checked to see if you need treatment for Rh sensitization (RhoGAM). Ultrasound may be used to find the cause of the bleeding. Sometimes the cause is not found.
Spotting may occur after a vaginal ultrasound or a pelvic exam. Bleeding of the cervix may also occur during sex, or from an infection of the cervix. If you experience bleeding, do not have sex again until consultation with the doctor. You may also want to decrease heavy physical activity and exercise, although most women can continue work and their usual day-to-day activities.
Keeping a record of spotting, bleeding, cramping, and other symptoms can be helpful for your doctor.
Miscarriage can be caused by a problem with the pregnancy. Bleeding does not always mean that miscarriage will happen. The following signs and symptoms may indicate a miscarriage: (1) Vaginal bleeding, (2) Cramping pain felt low in the abdomen–often more strong than menstrual cramps, (3) Tissue passing from the vagina.
Miscarriage can occur any time in the first half of pregnancy. Most often it occurs in the first 13 weeks. It happens in about 15–20% of pregnancies. Many women who have vaginal bleeding have little or no cramping. Sometimes the bleeding stops and pregnancy goes on. Other times the bleeding and cramping may become stronger, leading to miscarriage.
If you think you have passed fetal tissue, take it to the doctor’s office. The doctor may send it to a lab to be examined.
If some tissue stays in the uterus, bleeding often continues. Your doctor may then recommend one or more treatment options. Medication may be used to help you pass the tissue. The tissue may be removed by dilation and curettage (D&C). It also may be removed by a suctioning device. This is called suction curettage. Sometimes more than one option is needed.
Most miscarriages cannot be prevented. They are often the body’s way of dealing with a pregnancy that was not normal. There is no proof that exercise or sex causes them. Also, there is no proof that stress or work causes them. Having a miscarriage does not mean you cannot have more children. Less than 5% of women will experience two consecutive miscarriages, and only 1% experience three or more. It does not always mean something is wrong with your health. If you have two in a row, your doctor may suggest tests to look for a cause.
An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg does not implant in the uterus. Instead, it implants somewhere else, often in one of the fallopian tubes. An ectopic pregnancy causes pain and bleeding early in pregnancy.
A major risk with this type of pregnancy occurs if the fallopian tube ruptures. A rupture needs prompt treatment. There may be internal bleeding. Blood loss may cause weakness, fainting, pain, shock, or death.
Ectopic pregnancies are much less common than miscarriages. They occur in about 1 in 60 pregnancies. Women are at a higher risk if they have had: an infection in the fallopian tubes (such as pelvic inflammatory disease), a previous ectopic pregnancy, or tubal surgery.
Some information above provided by the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists
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Implantation cramping may be an early sign of pregnancy. Understanding the causes and key differences between implantation cramps and period cramps will help people to recognize them.
Implantation cramping is a type of pain sometimes experienced when a fertilized egg attaches itself to the lining of the uterus. This process is called implantation. Cramping sometimes occurs when this happens, but it does not always cause pain.
Anyone experiencing implantation cramps should avoid taking some anti-inflammatory medications, such as aspirin. This is because taking anti-inflammatory medicines around the time of conception might increase the risk of miscarriage, according to a 2003 study.
Implantation cramps are not the same as period or menstrual cramps.
Menstrual cramps happen during a period, which occurs approximately once every 28 days, so long as there is no pregnancy.
Menstrual cramps happen when the uterus contracts to expel its lining.
Substances called prostaglandins trigger the uterine muscles to contract.
Prostaglandins are associated with pain and inflammation. This process may cause cramping.
Not everyone gets implantation cramps and bleeding when they first become pregnant.
One-quarter of participants in a 2010 study reported bleeding in their first trimester. Only 8 percent of those had heavy bleeding.
28 percent of those that had spotting and light bleeding also reported pain. 54 percent of those with heavy bleeding also experienced pain.
Not everyone has cramps during implantation. And for those that do, the cramps may be mild or moderate.
Some describe the sensation as:
- pricking
- pulling
- tingling feeling
This can help differentiate it from a menstrual cramp.
It is unusual to have intense cramping pain during implantation, so anyone who experiences painful cramping between periods should be assessed by a doctor.
Implantation tends to happen 6 to 12 days after ovulation when pregnancy occurs. This is about the same time that a person would usually expect a period to start.
If an egg has been fertilized, the body prepares the uterus lining to receive and protect the egg.
Some light bleeding or spotting may accompany implantation cramping. This is called implantation bleeding and is lighter than a regular period.
Share on PinterestSigns of early pregnancy may include extreme tiredness, headaches, and raised body temperature.Implantation cramping or bleeding may be an early sign of pregnancy.
It is easy to mistake period cramping or a light period for symptoms of implantation.
Because of the similarity of symptoms between menstruation and implantation, it helps to know the other early signs of pregnancy.
Other early signs of pregnancy include:
- swollen, tender, heavier, or fuller breasts
- extreme tiredness
- feeling sick or vomiting
- food aversions or cravings
- headaches
- constipation
- mood swings
- feeling tearful
- dizziness or faintness
- raised body temperature
- missed period
If someone thinks they are pregnant, it is a good idea to take a home pregnancy test. A good time to do this is 1 to 2 weeks after noticing the early signs of pregnancy. Pregnancy tests are available to buy in supermarkets, health stores, and online.
If a fertilized egg has implanted into the uterus wall, the body will already have started to form the placenta. In this situation, the pregnancy hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), begins to rise.
Around 2 weeks after implantation, hCG levels will be high enough for a pregnancy test to be positive.
If the pregnancy test is positive, the next step is to make an appointment with a doctor. The doctor can confirm whether the home test is correct.
Anyone who already knows they are pregnant and is experiencing heavy bleeding or cramping should speak to a doctor. These symptoms may indicate a problem with the pregnancy.
Sometimes, individuals who are not pregnant may experience painful cramping or bleeding in between periods. If this occurs, it is a good idea to discuss the issue with a doctor.
Implantation cramping and light bleeding may be an early sign of pregnancy. It is easy to mistake these symptoms as menstrual cramping or light bleeding.
For this reason, it is important to recognize the other early signs of pregnancy. However, these symptoms alone do not prove a pregnancy. Taking a home pregnancy test and having the results verified by a doctor is the best way to confirm pregnancy.
Once a pregnancy is confirmed, individuals can consider the option of continuing with the pregnancy. A person can discuss all options with a doctor.