Bleeding During Pregnancy: What's Normal and What's Not?

Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy can be scary for an expectant mother, especially a first-time mom who may not know if bleeding is normal or not. Generally speaking, vaginal bleeding during pregnancy isn’t normal. That being said, bleeding doesn’t always indicate a serious problem. 

Because it’s hard to tell why you’re bleeding without a thorough exam, vaginal bleeding always warrants a call to our team here at OBGYN Westside PLLC on the Upper West Side of New York City. 

In many cases, bleeding isn’t serious, but it’s better to confirm the cause of your bleeding, and if it is serious, our team 一 experts at managing high-risk pregnancies 一 gets you the treatment you need. 

So how do you know what’s normal and what’s not? Read on as our team discusses bleeding during pregnancy in more detail. 

What’s normal?

There are a few circumstances in which bleeding can occur. These include:

Implantation bleeding

Implantation bleeding happens when the fertilized egg attaches to the lining of your uterus. This usually happens 6-12 days after conception, and the bleeding is often mild. Some women describe implantation bleeding as a light period or even spotting. 

Cervical irritation

When you’re pregnant, the blood flow to your cervix increases, and it’s more sensitive to irritation. Sexual intercourse or even a Pap smear can cause light bleeding. This type of bleeding is light, mild, and often dissipates quickly. 

Some women may be placed on pelvic rest for this reason.

Bloody show

Bloody show is blood-tinged mucus that often signals impending labor. As your cervix thins out in preparation for labor, you may see pink, brown, or red-tinged mucus. This is part of your mucus plug, and you may see some or all of it. All of these variations are normal. 

What’s not normal?

Any bleeding in your first trimester that’s accompanied by severe pain and cramping is serious. This can be a sign of miscarriage, an ectopic pregnancy, or a molar pregnancy. 

Bleeding in your first trimester can also happen as the result of an infection. Vaginal infections, including some sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), can cause bleeding, odor, increased discharge, and pain. 

Treating an STD promptly can help you avoid the complications of an untreated STD, and it can also help prevent spreading the infection to your baby during childbirth. 

However, bleeding (with or without contractions) in your second or third trimester is even more serious. Bleeding in your second or third trimester can be a sign of preterm labor or issues with the placenta. 

What to do if you have vaginal bleeding during pregnancy

First and more importantly, take a deep breath. We know bleeding can be scary, but remember that bleeding doesn’t necessarily always mean the health or viability of your pregnancy is compromised. Call us immediately if you experience bleeding so we can take the best care of your particular situation.

If you notice vaginal bleeding:

• Call us
• Wear a pad so you can track how much you’re bleeding
• Do not use a tampon
• Observe the bleeding, including the color of the blood and if any tissue is observed

Call us immediately if:

• Your bleeding is accompanied by intense cramps or contractions
• You’re bleeding profusely and going through more than one pad per hour
• Your bleeding is accompanied by a fever of 100.4 or higher
• Your discharge also contains tissue
• You’re dizzy

Bleeding may be a sign of a complication that, if left untreated, can be serious. If you experience any bleeding during your pregnancy, know that our compassionate team of board-certified obstetricians and gynecologists is here to provide the guidance and support you need. 

If it is after hours or the weekend, you can still call us through our office number 212-580-3866. You will get the answering service and one of our doctors will call you back right away. For less urgent matters, you can also book appointments online anytime.