Causes of Bleeding During Pregnancy

Causes of Bleeding during pregnancy:

Bleeding during pregnancy can occur at any stage and may have various causes, ranging from benign to life-threatening. Here’s a breakdown of potential causes by trimester:

1. Implantation Bleeding
   • Light spotting when the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining (around 6–12 days after conception).
   • Usually lasts 1–2 days.
2. Subchorionic Hemorrhage
   • Bleeding between the uterine wall and the chorion (membrane around the embryo).
   • May resolve on its own or increase miscarriage risk.
3. Cervical Changes (Increased Blood Flow)
   • Increased blood flow to the cervix can cause light spotting after intercourse or a pelvic exam.
4. Miscarriage (Spontaneous Abortion)
   • Heavy bleeding, cramping, and tissue passing.
   • Causes include chromosomal abnormalities, infections, or hormonal issues.
5. Ectopic Pregnancy
   • Pregnancy implants outside the uterus (usually in a fallopian tube).
   • Symptoms: Sharp pain, dizziness, shoulder pain (if ruptured).
   • Life-threatening if untreated.
6. Molar Pregnancy (Gestational Trophoblastic Disease)
   • Abnormal growth of placental tissue.
   • Symptoms: Heavy bleeding, grape-like tissue clots, high hCG levels.

7. Cervical Insufficiency (Incompetent Cervix)
   • Painless cervical dilation leading to preterm labor or miscarriage.
   • May cause light bleeding or fluid leakage.
8. Placenta Previa
   • Placenta covers part or all of the cervix.
   • Painless bright red bleeding, often after 20 weeks.
9. Miscarriage (Late)
   • Less common but possible due to infections, cervical issues, or trauma.

10. Placental Abruption
    • Placenta detaches from the uterine wall before delivery.
    • Symptoms: Dark bleeding, severe abdominal pain, contractions.
    • Risk factors: Hypertension, trauma, smoking.
11. Placenta Previa (Can persist or develop later)
    • Requires monitoring and often a C-section delivery.
12. Vasa Previa (Rare but Dangerous)
    • Fetal blood vessels run near the cervix and rupture when membranes break.
    • Sudden heavy bleeding with fetal distress.
13. Bloody Show (Labor Sign)
    • Pink or bloody mucus discharge as the cervix dilates near labor.
    • Usually normal but should be monitored if preterm.

14. Cervical or Vaginal Infections (STIs, Yeast, Bacterial Vaginosis)
    • Can cause irritation and light bleeding.
15. Uterine Rupture (Rare, Often in Labor with Prior C-Section)
    • Medical emergency with severe pain and bleeding.
16. Trauma or Injury
    • Physical trauma (e.g., car accident, fall) can trigger bleeding.

• Heavy bleeding (soaking a pad in an hour).
• Severe abdominal pain or cramping.
• Dizziness, fainting, or signs of shock.
• Bleeding with fever or chills (infection risk).

• Ultrasound (to check fetal heartbeat, placenta position).
• Pelvic exam (to assess cervical dilation/infection).
• Blood tests (hCG levels, clotting factors).

Always report bleeding to your healthcare provider, even if it stops, to rule out serious complications.