Nothing can prepare you for the sheer excitement of being pregnant, carrying a little miracle in your body and feeling it grow. But nothing prepares you for the strange miasma of symptoms you will experience, either, and the complete lack of humility you will feel as you talk to people about everything from your diarrhea and morning sickness to your fear of labor.
These symptoms are all quite common, so anyone who has had a baby totally gets it. Sometimes the symptoms are scary, though, like spotting,and you need to know quickly whether to be concerned or add it to your list of things to talk about at your next doctor appointment.
When Spotting is Normal and When to be Concerned
Spotting in your pregnancy happens to almost every woman. There are multiple reasons that could be causing it. Some of them are quite natural and others are a cause for a phone call to your doctor.
During the first 20 weeks or so of pregnancy, almost half of pregnant women report experiencing vaginal bleeding with a completely normal continuation the rest of the time.
The American Pregnancy Association explains these forms of bleeding as likely resulting from one of the following causes:
- Early bleeding due to implantation, when the egg is implanted in the lining of the uterus. This happens about a month after you actually become pregnant, but can also occur a week to ten days after conception.
- Bleeding due to sexual activity. Frequently during the later parts of pregnancy, intercourse can result in spotting. This is normal and is caused from the increased blood supply to your cervix.
- Internal exams throughout your pregnancy. Don’t stress if you notice spotting after a pap smear or pelvic examination performed by your obstetrician. These common exams can result in spotting soon after, but should go away within 24 hours.
While these are perfectly normal times to expect bleeding, if it is heavier than a little spotting or does not go away, you should contact your doctor.
Other reasons there may be bleeding during your pregnancy that you may need to see your physician for are:
- Cervical bleeding caused by infections. These are usually, but not always, the result of a sexually transmitted disease. Getting treatment early can get rid of the problem before it becomes serious, but ignoring it could cause harm to both mom and baby.
- Bleeding around the placenta resulting in hemorrhaging. This is not always severe but can result in preterm labor and should always be treated.
- Bleeding, cramping, or severe abdominal pain due to miscarriage.
- Bleeding as a result of an ectopic pregnancy, when a fertilized egg implants in a fallopian tube or another place instead of the uterus.
Any time you are concerned about your baby’s health you can call your doctor, and with modern technology, there are many ways you can ease your mind yourself. Through smart pregnancy tracking with Bloomlife and other apps and portable devices, you can check on your baby’s health immediately.
Pregnancy is an exciting and scary time for every mom, no matter how many times she has been expecting. Luckily, if you are pregnant in today’s world you have the benefit of technology to help you through all of the wide range of symptoms that come along with growing your miracle baby.
