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Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy describes any blood flow from the vagina. The term "spotting" describes light vaginal bleeding. Around 20% of women say they experienced spotting during the first trimester of pregnancy and most of these women go on to have healthy babies, as do around half of all women who have any kind of bleeding during their pregnancies. According to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, about 15% to 25% of women have some amount of bleeding in early pregnancy (the first trimester). Bleeding is less common—and more concerning—if it occurs in the second or third trimester. Generally, the discharge you'll see if you experience spotting is brown, red, or pink in color and has a slightly gummy or stringy texture (because the discharge consists of a few drops of dried blood that's mixed with cervical mucus). In terms of the quantity, expect a very small amount—it's usually just a few drops that you see when you wipe after using the bathroom or in your underwear, but not enough to soak through a panty liner. Bleeding is heavier than spotting, requiring a pad to protect your clothing because the blood is soaking through. Color-wise, it tends to be red, though this may vary. If you're experiencing spotting in early pregnancy, it's not necessarily a cause for alarm. Light spotting has a few different potential causes, including:
If your bleeding in early pregnancy is very minimal and you otherwise are not having any symptoms, you may wish to wait until your next appointment to talk to your doctor. But you can always call your doctor any time you are concerned. If your first-trimester spotting stops within a day, only happens on occasion, isn't accompanied by other symptoms, and is light, then it's probably nothing to worry about. Remember, the majority of women who have spotting in early pregnancy have normal pregnancies and deliveries. However, any bleeding during pregnancy is considered irregular, so you may need to go in for a check-up to make sure everything's okay.
If the spotting turns into heavier bleeding that resembles a menstrual flow or you notice additional symptoms like cramping, fever, or a backache, call your doctor immediately. Heavier bleeding could be a sign of something more serious, such as:
In the event that your doctor has you come in to see what the source of your spotting is, you'll likely have a vaginal exam. You may also have an ultrasound to listen for a fetal heartbeat. Often you will be given a human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) blood test to check for the hCG hormone in your blood. These tests can help your doctor determine what might be causing your spotting. If your doctor hasn't found any cause for your spotting, they may advise you to take it easy by staying off your feet, resting more, not lifting anything heavy, and putting your feet up. Be sure to follow your doctor's instructions and to call right away if you notice any other symptoms like back or abdominal pain, fever, or increased bleeding. Second- or third-trimester spotting or bleeding is concerning and is more likely to be due to a pregnancy complication. Late bleeding can sometimes put your fetus and you in serious danger.
Always call your doctor right away if you notice any spotting or bleeding after the first trimester The bleeding could indicate one of the following:
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Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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