An estimated 20% to 30% of women have some bleeding during their first trimester of pregnancy. Most women associate early bleeding during pregnancy with imminent miscarriage. While most miscarriages do take place early in the first trimester, there is every reason to believe that your pregnancy is still viable.
At the OBGYN practice of Dr. Alan Patterson in Coral Springs, Florida, we are always here to support you as you go through the different stages of pregnancy. If you have any bleeding, call us so we can check to ensure you’ve nothing to worry about.
Contact us immediately if you notice blood spotting in the toilet or your underwear. While there is no reason to panic, it’s better to let us evaluate your risks of pregnancy complications as soon as possible. We can put your mind at ease and take steps to preserve your pregnancy.
If you’re pregnant and bleeding, the main things you need to be able to tell us are what color the blood is and how much you are passing.
Blood color can range from a rusty reddish brown to bright red. In most cases, there is far less reason to worry if the blood is browner: this indicates old blood passing out of your body gradually. If blood is bright red, however, this signifies active bleeding, and we need to find out where it’s coming from, so call our office immediately.
Wearing a pantyliner during pregnancy can be helpful for various reasons. You can easily see the color and amount of any discharge or blood, and as the baby grows, you can protect against bladder incidents that are normal for pregnant women.
A few blood spots, even if red, may not be serious. However, a lot of bleeding indicates something might be wrong, and you should call our office and go to the ER.
If you’re in the first trimester, bleeding is much more common and often doesn’t end up being a danger. If you are in the second or third trimester, bleeding is much more critical, as it could indicate an urgent problem where you need immediate medical care.
If you are having additional symptoms along with bleeding, make sure to tell us. These symptoms can include:
Information from the above four categories can help us understand your specific situation and determine if your bleeding during pregnancy is normal or not.
No matter how light your vaginal bleeding may be, it’s critical to call us as soon as possible so we can evaluate your risks and monitor your condition. You can contact us at 954-204-3650 or book an appointment online today. If you are currently bleeding, we recommend that you call us, and if the bleeding is heavy or accompanied by other symptoms, go ahead to the ER.
