Early Pregnancy Bleeding Explained

Bleeding in early pregnancy can be harmless

Before we take on this tough topic, we want to make it clear that not all bleeding in pregnancy is linked to miscarriage. There are lots of complex changes happening in the body and this can lead to spotting and bleeding in early pregnancy. It’s suggested that bleeding in the first trimester can happen in as many as 25% of pregnancies.

However, it’s really important that you seek the advice of your doctor or midwife as soon as you experience bleeding during your pregnancy to rule out anything serious. Below we’ve listed some causes of bleeding in early pregnancy:

Implantation bleeding and spotting

Did you know you can experience early pregnancy bleeding before you even know you're pregnant? Implantation happens very early on in pregnancy (between six to twelve days after ovulation), and there's a type of spotting associated with it called implantation bleeding. There is currently no strong scientific evidence for this type of bleeding, but it's thought to be pink or brown in color, and can be very light — more like discharge than a period

Cervical changes can cause bleeding in early pregnancy

During pregnancy, the cervix changes shape to adapt to the changes happening in your body. You might experience some bleeding due to this, possibly after penetrative sex. It’s perfectly healthy for you to have sex during pregnancy, but keep an eye out for any bleeding, and make sure you report it to your healthcare professional to rule out anything more serious.

Ectopic pregnancy and bleeding

A rare condition, ectopic pregnancy happens when implantation of a fertilized egg cell happens outside the uterus. This can be dangerous and cause bleeding in early pregnancy, it’s always worth ruling out an ectopic pregnancy - this can be done with your first ultrasound, but speak to a healthcare professional if you have worries, concerns or experience any of the following symptoms:

• Pain in the lower stomach, possibly one-sided
• Vaginal bleeding or brown, watery discharge
• Pain in the tip of the shoulder
• Discomfort when using the toilet

Bleeding in early pregnancy and miscarriage

While it’s not often talked about, it’s an unfortunate truth that miscarriage is part of the fertility journey for some. In most cases, miscarriage happens in early pregnancy because there is a genetic problem with the development of the fetus. Sadly there isn’t anything that can be done to prevent this.

There are several types of miscarriage and they don’t all present with bleeding. A ‘missed miscarriage’ is defined when there is no visible bleeding, and the miscarriage needs to be confirmed with an ultrasound. On the other hand, a threatened miscarriage can present like a miscarriage with bleeding and cramping, but in some cases, the pregnancy can still progress normally. 

We understand that miscarriage is a very difficult topic and our experiences of pregnancy loss is highly individual. If you have worries about miscarriage, speak to your healthcare professional for guidance. Our readers in the US can also seek support from The American Pregnancy Association, and The Miscarriage Association is on hand for those in the UK. 

Bleeding later in pregnancy

As with bleeding in early pregnancy, bleeding later in pregnancy can purely be a physiological sign of the changes happening in your body, or it may be a symptom of something more serious. Read up on more causes of bleeding later in pregnancy, and report any bleeding you experience to your healthcare professional as soon as you notice it.

What happens when you report pregnancy bleeding?

After you’ve reported the bleeding you might be asked to have a vaginal or pelvic examination, an ultrasound or blood tests to check for hormone levels. You’ll also be asked about other symptoms you might be experiencing so the doctor can learn more about what’s causing the bleeding.

Depending on your symptoms and when your baby is due, you’ll be monitored either at home or asked to stay in the hospital. Keep in mind that it’s not always possible to identify the cause of pregnancy bleeding. 

Plan and follow pregnancy with Natural Cycles 

Thanks for reading - we hope you’ve learned a bit more about bleeding in early pregnancy. At Natural Cycles, we’re committed to closing the knowledge gap when it comes to reproductive health, one topic at a time.

Natural Cycles is the first FDA cleared contraceptive app, but did you know it can also be used to plan pregnancy? The same science that finds your fertile window to help you prevent pregnancy can be flipped to help you conceive. 

Take your temperature most mornings when you wake up, add it to the app and you’ll get a fertility status for the day. Knowing where you are in your cycle can help you time sex to maximize the chance of getting pregnant, the app will also prompt you on the best days to take pregnancy tests and ovulation tests. After conception, Natural Cycles can be used to monitor your pregnancy. In this mode, you’ll get handy hints and updates about the growth of your baby.