Picture this. You're pregnant, and you've been experiencing tons of changes in your body, like how a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly. Feeling nauseous all day long? Been there. Constant fatigue making it impossible to stay awake during the Zoom meetings? Yup, we get that too. But one thing that can strike fear into any expectant mother's heart is seeing blood in your undies.
Don't panic just yet because bleeding during pregnancy does not necessarily mean something bad always (1) happens! While spotting or light bleeding may be nothing more than an annoyance to some women, it could indicate more serious concerns for others.
In this article, we'll take a look at different types of bleeding and what they might mean for both you and the little peanut growing inside you.
Types of Bleeding
Spotting
When describing the amount of blood that comes out when expecting mommies experience vaginal bleeding early on in their pregnancies think: very light (2). This is known as "spotting," which means only small drops or spots show up on your pad or underwear throughout the day - less than one sanitary napkin full per hour (3).
Mild Bleeding
While mild-bleeds sound alarming not all hope is lost here either (4). Some pregnant people will suddenly feel dampness between their legs caused by small amounts of blood - but no enough to completely fill up a pad within hours (5).
Heavy Bleeding
On every joyful journey sometimes things go awry right folks? In this case if guess what starts pouring forth from down yonder after twelve weeks' gestation -- that’s called heavy bleeding,(6) meaning larger amounts flow/ gush almost appearing like period flowing faster than Usain Bolt's gold medal run (7).
Heavy bleedings should prompt urgent trips to the OB/GYN, always (8).
Short and Sweet Bleeds
If you find it unmistakable that blood came out down there but soon after disappeared as quickly as it arrived (9), congratulations! You have experienced what is called "short and sweet bleeding" or a momentary spotting event. This can last anywhere from one hour to two days on average without going through pad after pad.
Bright Red Blood Vs Dark Red Blood
The colour of your menstrual fluid already made clear at least mostly (10) depends on both freshness and aging of the blood that's flowing around. This generally rings true for any type/year/brand/model/kind-blood/fluid: if bright red -- guess what? It’s pretty fresh like a morning dewdrop - meaning in terms of child growth stages within three months conceived till currently past due, whereas darker colors could mean stale or old periods (11).
To clarify this in context:
- Fresh bleedings are bright red flowing
- Stale bleedings suggest fetal death or associated infections (12)
It's still safe to assume doctors rather opinions when predicting irregularities over strong self-realizations
Causes Of Bleeding During Pregnancy
Alrighty then, let us get into some details. The following factors may influence why pregnant individuals experience random spurts ablood-blitz throughout gestation period(13):
Implantation Bleeding
You can think about implantation bleeding as your uterus' reaction towards harboring an egg into its thick endometrial walls during pregnancy inception time - usually occurring before first ten weeks pass once conception happened(14).
Thankfully implantations are not concerns when compared with others however if heavy flow is happening visitors consult higher ups promptly.
Cervical Irritation And Infection
What does cervix have do anything related vaginal discharges? A lot actually; say hello to cervical irritation. Because of the relatively sensitive group of cells existing around cervix areas, they can often become angry (15) too from time-to-time due inflammation by any microorganisms like bacterial infections or erosions.
Miscarriage
It’s hard not to picture big bad-mama-jammas when we hear word “miscarriage” but it's important to note this: Experiencing bleeding doesn’t automatically mean miscarriage has happened always or will (16).
Miscarriages are medical conditions happening after roughly first 20 weeks pregnancy that causes fetuses premature death however in some cases stilllife births may occur(17).
Placenta Previa
If you’ve stumbled over term placenta previa before, no worries! It simply refers as situation where your uterus' primary life-giving organ obstructs lady-cave exit pathscausing heavier bleedings if accompanied with regular contractions (18.)
This occurs when baby implants itself on lower side partswall waiting until enough structural support builds and keeps growing out expand into two other sections.
While generally safe for mother/baby relationship it all depends once doctors dig deeper during ultrasounds- c-section options could roll up as well.
Ectopic Pregnancy
Before moving forward make sure read every bit-a paper about ectopic pregnancies - especially pregnant persons more prone developing PID also known Pelvic inflammatory disease -- a common STI woe associated almost half early-to-be-birth givers.
Say hello to very dangerous condition encountered thirty percent of all non-authentic/non-viable pregnancies; meaning fertilized eggs hangout outside womb areas be anything fallopian tubes ovaries loose spots inside abdomen area(19). This happens because egg get misplaced while traveling through reproductive channels then begin their growth process thereafter unholy fusion becomes way likely.
Ectopic pregnancies (tubal ones) act like various time-bombs ready to explode anytime so people not just assume all gonna be right until fatigue, heavy bleedings/ cramping wave blue flags- go prompt-medical help.
Molar Pregnancy
Looking for something bizarre? A molar pregnancy will fulfil all your quirks for sure! Picture instead of traditional vroom-vroom baby growing inside - you get tumoral outgrowths and tumor/mole-like structures within mother’s uterusgrowth-segments(20). (Jaw: Meet floor)
There's no use sugarcoating the experience if bad stuff happens at beginning or can keep continuing pregnancy options terminate as low living-babies percentage while having quite dangerous repercussions on mother's health also.
Moral of the story here? Girls guys make themselves aware about every little big detail during prenatal/postnatal phases work with efficient trustworthy teams around.
Again asking doctors helps clear unnecessary doubts!
In conclusion it becomes important to know bleeding-ingrained issues do come/happen more often than initially anticipated in babies' brewing chests, but they can only truly pose threats when no recognition lands early-on due different types/location extents-- always (21) verify symptoms soon as possible . It sucks being scared and overwhelmed during these moments. Nevertheless by taking good care following general advises best chance arises against unfavorable happenstances contributing happy/healthy pregnancies!