Spotting or Bleeding in Early Pregnancy

If you have any bleeding during your pregnancy, accompanied or unaccompanied by pain, it’s very important to get it checked out.

It’s common to have spotting or light bleeding in pregnancy during the first trimester, for several reasons.

Implantation bleeding

Implantation occurs when the fertilised egg embeds into the womb, and usually happens around the time that your period would be due. An implantation bleed is usually very light spotting, and can be pink or brown in colour. It usually only lasts for a day or two, but can sometimes last slightly longer.

Cervical changes

Pregnancy hormones can cause changes to the cervix, as it gets an increased blood supply and becomes softer. This can cause some bleeding, particularly after sex (known as post coital bleeding).

Infection

Occasionally bleeding can be caused by an infection, which would need to be treated by your GP/ healthcare provider.

Sometimes, bleeding can be caused by something more serious, which is important to get checked out.

Ectopic pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy is where the fertilised egg implants outside of the womb, and can cause bleeding, pain on one side of your abdomen, pain in the tip of your shoulder, and discomfort when going to the toilet.

Molar pregnancy

A molar pregnancy is when a foetus has not formed properly in the womb, and can cause bleeding, severe morning sickness and an unusually swollen tummy.

The Wellbeing of My Baby approach

We know that having a baby is the most special thing to happen in a woman’s life. That is why when you visit us at our clinic, our Sonographers will take you through a supportive, personalised service that gets to the heart of your concerns and explores what you are hoping to gain from your scan. We can give you a more thorough understanding of how your baby is growing and developing throughout your pregnancy. Our aim is to provide you with high quality scans which include an educational experience that comes together to have you leaving our clinic feeling knowledgeable and empowered.