Pregnancy Spotting
Unlike bleeding, spotting during the early part of your pregnancy is normal. In fact, up to 25% of pregnant women experience spotting during their first trimester. Spotting however, can be tricky, as it can be confused with menstrual or period symptoms. Lower back pain, cramps, abdomen pain and spotting are all signs of a period beginning. If you are pregnant and do not know, you can easily mistake the two.
Spotting is just that. It’s not heavy bleeding, it’s a very light bleeding and is usually brown or pink in color rather than bright red. In most cases, it’s the result of implantation, however there are other reasons why a pregnant woman spots such as:
- Implantation
- Vaginal infection
- Cervix infection
- After intercourse
- Mucous plug releases
- Early sign of miscarriage
Spotting During the First Trimester
During implantation, as the blastocyst implants or attaches itself to the uterine wall, a small amount of blood is shed. If the cervix is irritated or enflamed, or has become extra sensitive, it can also cause spotting. Unfortunately, it’s also a sign of miscarriage. The fact that the color tone is brown or pink is good news. If blood clots or a fever or severe pain is accompanying the spotting, or if the color is bright red, you should seek assistance from your healthcare provider immediately. If you’re just not sure about the situation, you should talk to your healthcare provider immediately too. Don’t wait around, as each “spotting” episode varies from woman to woman.
Spotting During Second and Third Trimesters
Although it’s most common for women to spot during their first trimester, it’s not unheard of or uncommon for a woman to spot during the middle and end of her pregnancy term. Once the mucous plug releases, it causes slight spotting, indicating that labor is soon to arrive. Also, if you are having intercourse during these trimesters, it too can cause spotting due to an irritated cervix.
Contacting Your Healthcare Provider
When it comes to spotting, it’s usually not a reason to contact your doctor. However, if this is your first pregnancy, if you weren’t expecting to be pregnant, or if you are generally concerned about what’s going on, please contact your healthcare provider at once. Again, the blood that is brown or pink and is light versus heavy in flow is a good sign. In most cases, it depends on how far along you are to better determine why you may be spotting, talking with your doctor about this can help ease your mind, as well as learn more about your body and the changes it is going through.
