Is it normal to bleed during first trimester

Abstaining from sex for a few weeks after a miscarriage due to a risk of infection is also a good idea. A simple blood test can be used to detect potential issues with your hormones or immune system.

Other blood tests can be done on you and your partner to see if genetics are a factor. Testing for uterine problems may also be recommended. But staying healthy while trying to conceive — and while pregnant — is definitely the best approach.

By the end of week 12, your chances of miscarriage drop considerably. Wellness Articles. Experiencing spotting or bleeding during your first trimester? A molar pregnancy can cause a miscarriage in the first trimester. Subchorionic hemorrhage , or hematoma, is bleeding that happens when the placenta slightly detaches from the wall of the womb.

A sac forms in the gap between the two. Subchorionic hemorrhages vary in size. Smaller ones are the most common. Larger ones cause heavier bleeding. Many, many women have hematomas and go on to have healthy pregnancies. But a large subchorionic hemorrhage may also increase the risk of a miscarriage in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Bleeding in the first trimester might have nothing to do with your pregnancy at all. An infection in your pelvic area or in the bladder or urinary tract can also cause spotting or bleeding.

They may be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. A serious yeast infection or inflammation vaginitis can also cause bleeding. Infections typically cause spotting or light bleeding that is pink to red in color.

You may have other symptoms like:. Bleeding in the second or third trimester of your pregnancy is normally more serious than first trimester light bleeding. Let your doctor know if you experience any kind of bleeding during pregnancy. Get immediate medical care if you have any of these symptoms :.

A quick examination can usually tell your doctor what is causing your bleeding. You may need:. Your doctor will likely also look at pregnancy markers. A blood test looks at your hormone levels. The main hormone in pregnancy — made by the placenta — is human chorionic gonadotropin hCG.

The heartbeat can be checked with the ultrasound or Doppler scan as early as five and a half weeks of pregnancy. All these checks can reassure you and your doctor that everything is just fine. Other issues may need more treatment, medication, or surgery. Your doctor will make sure there is no leftover tissue or scarring in your womb. A miscarriage at any point in your pregnancy is a loss. Talking to a therapist or counselor can help you and your partner grieve in a healthy way.

Bleeding in your first trimester can be alarming. But in most cases, spotting and light bleeding are just a normal part of early pregnancy. Heavy bleeding may be a sign of something more serious. You should always see your doctor if you have any questions or concerns regarding bleeding.

Causes of first trimester light bleeding and spotting that are usually not harmful to you and your baby include:. Pregnancy can be a roller coaster of emotions and symptoms. Miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy where the fetus is growing inside the fallopian tube can both cause bleeding. It is also possible that you will have tests and investigations but the reason for your bleeding will not be found.

Your doctor is likely to begin with an internal examination to feel the size of your uterus and to look for any obvious visible sign of bleeding. If you have been bleeding, you will likely be offered a vaginal ultrasound because it offers the best possible view of your pregnancy.

A vaginal ultrasound is a narrow probe, which is put inside the vagina; it feels much like an internal examination and is quite safe. Before six weeks, the embryo is so small that it can be very difficult to see its heartbeat.

An ultrasound this early is not likely to give any definite answers about the future of the pregnancy. The benefit of an early ultrasound is that it may locate a pregnancy that is growing in the fallopian tubes an ectopic pregnancy.

An ectopic pregnancy is very serious and if found you will be treated immediately. If a heartbeat is found during an ultrasound it is likely that your pregnancy will continue with no further problems.