is bleeding during pregnancy something to worry about

Bleeding during pregnancy is normal, and is quite common during the first trimester. There are various reasons due to which bleeding occurs. Depending on the flow of blood, bleeding can also be called as spotting. In the case of bleeding, there might be various reasons causing it. A doctor should be consulted immediately if there is bleeding.

Causes of bleeding

Bleeding is usually accompanied by abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. It can occur throughout pregnancy and the causes of it in different trimesters differs.

During the first trimester, bleeding is usually due to spotting. Spotting can happen due to various reasons such as:

1. Implantation

2. Infection

3. Cervical polyps

Spotting is natural during pregnancy. It is quite different from any other bleeding. The doctor can be consulted and if there is an infection, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics.

However if the bleeding is severe, it might be a serious problem. The causes of bleeding during the first trimester can be:

1. Molar pregnancy

There is an abnormal tissue growth during this condition. It is quite rare, and in a few cases where women develop molar pregnancy, the abnormal tissue becomes cancerous, spreading to other parts of the body. It is very important to consult a doctor in such conditions.

2. Ectopic pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy is a condition in which the fertilized embryo gets implanted outside the embryo. It usually gets implanted in the fallopian tube, which, if not detected, can cause the fallopian tube to burst, causing serious health issues.

During the second and the third trimesters bleeding can be more serious and it should not be neglected. There are several conditions that cause bleeding during the second and the third trimesters.

1. Placenta previa

In this condition, the placenta blocks the opening of the birth canal. Though it is very rare, it is a very serious condition and can cause problems. A doctor should be consulted immediately.

2. Placental abruption

Here, the placenta detaches itself from the wall of the uterus even before the delivery of the baby. This causes bleeding between the placenta and the uterus. The condition can be very dangerous to the mother and the child, and thus should be looked into very seriously. A doctor should be consulted immediately.

3. Premature labor

Sometimes, bleeding can also be due to premature labor. Bleeding during late pregnancy can be because the mucus plug that covers the opening of the uterus unplugs.

Bleeding during early pregnancy is more often nothing but spotting. But if there is bleeding during late pregnancy, it should be looked into carefully. The conditions that causes bleeding in late pregnancy are harmful to both the mother and the child, as it can cause serious complications in pregnancy and during delivery.