How can you distinguish implantation bleeding from a regular period. What are the common symptoms of early pregnancy. When should you seek medical attention for vaginal bleeding. How long does implantation bleeding typically last.

Understanding Implantation Bleeding: A Sign of Early Pregnancy

Implantation bleeding is a phenomenon that occurs in up to 25% of pregnant individuals. It happens when a fertilized egg attaches itself to the uterine lining, typically within days of conception. This process can cause light bleeding or spotting, which is often mistaken for a regular menstrual period. However, understanding the characteristics of implantation bleeding can help you distinguish it from other types of vaginal bleeding and potentially identify an early sign of pregnancy.

The Timeline of Conception and Implantation

To better understand when implantation bleeding occurs, let’s examine the typical timeline of conception and implantation in a 28-day menstrual cycle:

• Day 1: First day of menstrual period
• Day 14: Ovulation occurs
• Days 14-15: Fertilization takes place (usually within hours of ovulation)
• Days 20-24: Implantation happens, and bleeding may occur for a few days

Is implantation bleeding a definitive sign of pregnancy? While it can be an early indicator, not all pregnant women experience it. Additionally, other factors can cause light bleeding, so it’s essential to consider other symptoms and consult with a healthcare provider for confirmation.

Key Differences Between Implantation Bleeding and Menstrual Periods

Distinguishing between implantation bleeding and a regular period can be challenging, but there are several key differences to consider:

Duration and Flow

How long does implantation bleeding last compared to a menstrual period? Implantation bleeding typically lasts 24 to 48 hours, while a normal menstrual period can last up to 8 days. The flow of implantation bleeding is usually very light, whereas menstrual bleeding often starts heavy and gradually lightens.

Cramping Intensity

Do you experience severe cramps during implantation bleeding? Unlike menstrual periods, which can be accompanied by intense uterine cramping, implantation bleeding usually involves mild or no cramping at all.

Timing

When does implantation bleeding occur in relation to your expected period? Implantation bleeding typically happens 7 to 14 days after conception, which is often earlier than your expected menstrual period.

Common Symptoms Associated with Implantation Bleeding

While light bleeding or spotting is the primary symptom of implantation, other early pregnancy signs may accompany it:

• Mood swings
• Nausea
• Headaches
• Back pain
• Mild cramps
• Tender or swollen breasts

Are these symptoms exclusive to implantation bleeding? No, many of these symptoms can also occur during regular menstrual periods or in the first trimester of pregnancy, making it challenging to definitively determine the cause without further testing.

The Biological Process of Implantation

Understanding the biological process of implantation can help explain why bleeding may occur during this early stage of pregnancy.

Journey of the Fertilized Egg

How does a fertilized egg reach the uterus? After fertilization, the egg (now called a zygote) travels down the fallopian tube towards the uterus. It typically enters the uterine cavity about 3 days after fertilization.

Implantation Process

What happens during implantation? The zygote embeds itself into the uterine wall approximately 3 to 4 days after entering the uterine cavity. As it burrows into the uterine lining, it may rupture small blood vessels, causing light bleeding.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Vaginal Bleeding

While implantation bleeding is generally harmless, other causes of vaginal bleeding during pregnancy can be serious. It’s crucial to know when to seek medical attention.

Symptoms Requiring a Doctor’s Visit

Which symptoms warrant a call to your doctor? Any unexplained bleeding or abdominal cramping should be reported to your healthcare provider. Additionally, symptoms such as dizziness, weakness, inability to keep down liquids, or fever should prompt a medical consultation.

Signs of Potential Complications

What symptoms require immediate medical attention? If you experience bright red vaginal bleeding, rectal pressure, heavy bleeding with clots, waves of pain in the lower back, shoulder, or pelvis, or significant pain or cramps, seek immediate medical care. These could be signs of miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, both of which require prompt medical intervention.

Diagnostic Approaches for Unexplained Bleeding

When faced with unexplained bleeding, healthcare providers employ various diagnostic methods to determine the cause and appropriate treatment.

Medical History and Symptom Assessment

How do doctors begin the diagnostic process? Medical professionals typically start by asking detailed questions about your symptoms and medical history. This information helps guide their approach to further testing and treatment.

Blood Tests and Other Diagnostics

What types of tests might be performed? Your doctor may recommend blood tests to check your blood type and Rhesus (Rh) factor. These tests can help determine if you need Rho(D) immune globulin, a medication used to prevent complications in future pregnancies for Rh-negative women.

Preconception Care and Pregnancy Planning

Taking proactive steps before conception can contribute to a healthier pregnancy and reduce the risk of complications.

Importance of Preconception Care

Why is preconception care important? Preconception care allows healthcare providers to identify and address potential health issues before pregnancy. This can include managing chronic conditions, optimizing nutrition, and addressing lifestyle factors that may impact fertility and pregnancy outcomes.

Pre-Pregnancy Counseling

What does pre-pregnancy counseling involve? During pre-pregnancy counseling, healthcare providers can offer guidance on fertility, genetic screening, and steps to prepare for a healthy pregnancy. This may include recommendations for prenatal vitamins, lifestyle modifications, and discussions about family medical history.

Coping with Early Pregnancy Uncertainty

The early stages of pregnancy can be filled with uncertainty, especially when experiencing symptoms like implantation bleeding. Here are some strategies to help manage this period:

Emotional Support

How can you find emotional support during this time? Reach out to trusted friends, family members, or support groups who can provide understanding and encouragement. Many women find comfort in sharing their experiences with others who have gone through similar situations.

Self-Care Practices

What self-care practices can help during early pregnancy? Engaging in relaxation techniques such as meditation, gentle yoga, or deep breathing exercises can help reduce stress and anxiety. Maintaining a balanced diet, getting adequate rest, and staying hydrated are also crucial for your physical and emotional well-being.

Staying Informed

How can you stay informed about your pregnancy? Keep open communication with your healthcare provider, ask questions, and seek clarification on any concerns you may have. Reliable pregnancy books and reputable online resources can also provide valuable information about what to expect during early pregnancy.

Remember, while implantation bleeding can be an early sign of pregnancy, it’s not definitive proof. If you suspect you might be pregnant or are experiencing unusual bleeding, it’s always best to consult with a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and guidance.

What Is It and When to See a Doctor

Implantation bleeding typically occurs within days of conception, when the embryo attaches to the uterine lining. This type of bleeding is common and may occur in up to 25% of pregnant people.

Not every case of spotting shortly after ovulation means your period is on its way. It could be implantation bleeding.

Implantation bleeding is a harmless sign that one of your eggs was fertilized during your last ovulation and has attached itself to the lining of your uterus.

In this article, we take a look at when and why implantation bleeding occurs, symptoms, and how you can tell it apart from other common causes of vaginal bleeding.

Early pregnancy bleeding is fairly common and may occur in up to 25 percent of the population. In many cases, it’s the first sign of pregnancy.

Implantation bleeding typically occurs within days of conception, when the embryo (or blastocyst) attaches to the uterine lining.

Some people mistake it for their regular period because it can look similar and occur near the time you’d expect your normal cycle. However, it’s typically lighter than a period and often happens sooner than your regularly scheduled menstruation, taking place between 7 and 14 days after conception.

Here’s a closer look at a general timeline of ovulation, fertilization, and implantation based on a regular 28-day cycle:

• Day 1. First day of menstrual period.
• Days 14. Ovulation occurs 14 days before your next menstruation.
• Days 14 to 15. Fertilization occurs 0 to 1 day after ovulation (typically within hours of ovulation).
• Days 20 to 24. Implantation happens about 6 to 7 days after fertilization, and implantation bleeding may occur for a few days.

The most common symptom associated with implantation bleeding is light bleeding or spotting, which typically lasts a few days.

Other symptoms are similar to those you may experience during your period or in the first trimester of pregnancy. These may include:

• mood swings
• nausea
• headaches
• back pain
• light cramps
• tender or swollen breasts

It can be difficult for people to know the difference between implantation bleeding and a regular period because symptoms can be similar enough to be mistaken.

Here are the primary differences:

When an egg has been fertilized, it begins traveling down a fallopian tube toward your uterus. The fertilized egg, called a “zygote,” typically enters the uterine cavity 3 days after fertilization. The zygote implants itself into the uterine wall about 3 to 4 days after it has entered the uterine cavity.

Implantation bleeding, if it happens, usually only lasts around 1 to 2 days.

As the fertilized egg embeds itself into the uterine wall to grow, it can rupture a small amount of blood vessels in the lining. This is why you might experience some bleeding.

There are many possible causes for vaginal bleeding during pregnancy. Doctors take it seriously and encourage pregnant people to report it.

If you’re not pregnant but also not 100 percent confident that your bleeding can be easily explained (by, say, your period), then you should report that to your doctor, too!

Here’s some more info on making the decision.

What symptoms should you call about?

Any unexplained bleeding or abdominal cramping is worth a visit to your doctor. In other words, unless you’re expecting your period, vaginal bleeding and pain are typically warning signs that something could be up.

Other symptoms can indicate a more serious issue, too. You should also talk with your doctor if you have symptoms like:

• dizziness
• weakness
• inability to keep down liquids
• fever

What symptoms should you get immediate medical attention for?

Although first trimester spotting is common, it could be serious if you experience:

• bright red vaginal bleeding
• rectal pressure
• heavy bleeding with clotting
• waves of pain in the lower back, shoulder, or pelvis
• significant pain or cramps.

These could be signs of miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy, both of which require immediate medical attention.

Ideally, a person should seek preconception care and pre-pregnancy counseling if possible. You should seek care immediately if you’re experiencing severe or unusual vaginal bleeding or pain.

A medical professional will ask questions about your symptoms and medical history to determine the best course of treatment for you.

Your doctor may recommend blood tests, such as your blood type and Rhesus (Rh) factor, to determine if you need Rho(D) immune globulin. This is an injection given to those who are Rh-negative routinely between 27 and 28 weeks, and usually again within 72 hours of delivery. It’s also given to those who experience bleeding during pregnancy. If you are unsure about your blood type, talk with your doctor.

Even though not all bleeding is an emergency or a sign of complications, your doctor will likely want to perform tests, such as a vaginal ultrasound, to confirm if you’re pregnant and to make sure the fertilized egg has implanted in the uterus and isn’t ectopic.

Implantation bleeding occurs when a fertilized egg (zygote) attaches to the lining of your uterus. It may be confused with a regular period because of the symptoms it causes and the time it typically occurs. However, implantation bleeding is often much shorter and lighter than a regular period.

Although implantation bleeding is not usually a cause for concern, you should talk with a doctor if you experience symptoms like:

• persistent bleeding
• vaginal blood clots or bleeding that saturates a pad every 30 minutes
• tiredness
• dizziness
• pain

Your doctor can help determine the cause of your symptoms and evaluate whether treatment is necessary.

Implantation Bleeding & How to Identify it

Home Blog Women’s Health Periods Vs Pregnancy Bleeding: Implantation Bleeding & How To Identify It

By Nishkak +2
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Last updated: Apr 4, 2023

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Table of Contents

1

Introduction

Your period date is close and you notice light bleeding in your underwear. But instead of the colour red, the blood is pinkish-brown? Congratulations, you might be pregnant. Women trying to conceive a baby might confuse this happy sign of early pregnancy for period onset but we’re here to explain to you why implantation bleeding might look similar but is completely different from menstrual periods. 

In this blog, we look at understanding what implantation bleeding is, what causes it, the symptoms of implantation bleeding to help you differentiate it from a period and what should you do next. 

What is implantation bleeding?

Implantation bleeding – typically defined as light spotting or a small amount of bleeding that occurs about 10 to 14 days after conceiving a baby – is a normal sign of early pregnancy.
Implantation bleeding happens after a sperm fertilizes your egg which implants itself into the lining of the uterus to become an embryo, causing a little bleeding. 

Since this usually happens around the time of your menstrual cycle, you may confuse implantation bleeding for a light period and not realize you’re pregnant.  

Implantation Bleeding vs Periods: Difference between implantation bleeding and period

Since women have different kinds of blood flow during their menstrual period, it’s hard to point out exact differences between implantation bleeding and a period. However, there are three key differences women can use to differentiate an implantation bleeding from a period:

1. Colour
   Whether you have a heavy or light menstrual flow, most women are familiar with the colour of their blood during usual periods. Unlike the light or dark red blood seen in periods, implantation bleeding is typically light pink to dark brown (rust-coloured) in colour.
2. Clotting
   Some women experience clotting in the expressed blood during their menstruation, while others do not see much clotting at all. Implantation bleeding, however, has no clots in the expressed blood.
3. Amount
   Regardless of experiencing a heavy or light flow, most women can fill pads and tampons during their periods. With implantation bleeding, however, it is usually only spotting or a light flow. Most times, it’s just a little pink or brown discharge, rather than a full flow, just enough to get on a pantyliner.

How to recognize implantation bleeding?

Some of the other early signs of pregnancy may overlap with implantation bleeding symptoms, so take a pregnancy test or consult a doctor if you notice any of the following signs:

1. Mild cramps (less than a normal period cramp)
2. Exhaustion/ weakness
3. Mood swings
4. Headaches
5. Nausea (morning sickness)
6. Upset stomach
7. Absence of blood clots or tissue in the blood 
8. The implantation bleeding colour is brown or pinkish instead of red or dark red
9. Tender, swollen breasts or nipples
10. Food cravings or aversion
11. Frequent urination

Implantation bleeding is one of the important early pregnancy symptoms and tends to happen before the onset of morning sickness. Implantation bleeding timing isn’t as long as your period and it’s lighter inflow. Women who are expecting their first pregnancy are more likely to spot or bleed than women who are used to egg attachment.

Final thoughts

All in all, implantation bleeding timing lasts for anywhere between a couple of hours to three full days and has a very light blood flow, sometimes even a light discharge. Unlike period blood that’s bright or dark red, implantation bleeding colour is something between pink and brown. 

Women experiencing implantation bleeding may experience other early symptoms of pregnancy like morning sickness, lower backaches, mild or no cramps, tender breasts and others. But many of these can also be PMS symptoms or ovulation symptoms and you may not be pregnant. 

If you’re not sure whether you’re having implantation bleeding or your period, it’s best to take a pregnancy test or talk to your doctor. Pregnancy tests can be taken at home using urine pregnancy test kits or you can book a blood test for pregnancy from the lab. It may be difficult to detect a pregnancy too early after conception, hence chances of false-negative results exist. There can be multiple reasons for irregular, missed periods or spotting. Consult a doctor for the best advice and understanding of the way forwards. 

Also Read: Meftal Spas

Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.Resources

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Pregnancy and menstruation | Kotex®

Expert Comment
Gynecologist Anastasia Degteva

“There are women who have scanty bleeding from the genital tract during pregnancy around the same dates when they expect menstruation. Therefore, when changing the nature of menstruation, it is so important to do a pregnancy test or take a blood test for hCG.

If you know that you are pregnant, the appearance of bloody discharge from the genital tract at any stage of pregnancy and in any amount is a reason to immediately consult a doctor.”

The question “Am I pregnant?” probably occurred at least once in the vast majority of heterosexual women who are sexually active.

Although the absence of periods is the most noticeable early symptom of pregnancy, many women have many questions when it comes to whether menstruation is possible during pregnancy.

Is it possible to have periods during pregnancy?

No, they can’t. If you have periods, it means that you are not pregnant.

Menstruation occurs only if the monthly egg that comes out of the ovaries has not been fertilized.

If the egg is not fertilized, it leaves the uterus and is excreted along with the menstrual blood through the vagina.

The difference from pregnancy seems obvious at first glance, because during pregnancy there are no periods, and if you are not pregnant and in reproductive age, then you have periods.

But some women have doubts about this, which are related to the fact that about 20-30% of pregnant women have irregular spotting, which in essence is not menstruation and differs from it: most often they have light pink or brown shade and not so abundant. Sometimes women confuse them with menstruation if they occur around the same time that menstruation is expected.

• normal menstrual bleeding is light at first and then increases, and the blood becomes more saturated red

• normal menstrual bleeding becomes less intense towards the end of menstruation, the color also becomes less intense

What can cause bleeding during early pregnancy?

Bloody discharge during pregnancy can be associated with many factors, each of which is a reason to urgently visit a doctor to rule out pathology.

Main causes of bleeding in the first trimester of pregnancy:

• bleeding after attachment of the egg to the wall of the uterus

• signs of threatened miscarriage

• infections

• ectopic pregnancy

Many women who experience this light bleeding go on to have normal pregnancies and give birth to healthy children, but in about a third such bleeding becomes more intense over time and eventually leads to a miscarriage.

Unfortunately, there is no way to determine at home what caused such bleeding, so whenever such light bleeding occurs during pregnancy, you should consult your gynecologist for advice to rule out the possibility of pathology.

Important: If you are pregnant and have bleeding that becomes more intense and does not stop, accompanied by pain in the abdomen and lower back, you should immediately consult a doctor.

When do periods start after pregnancy?

Both after caesarean section and after vaginal delivery, women experience vaginal bleeding.

In the first weeks after childbirth, the blood may clot and be more intense than normal periods, but then they become brown, light red and finally whitish.

This discharge is called lochia and usually lasts no more than 45 days after vaginal delivery and up to 60 days in women after caesarean section. Lochia begins immediately after childbirth, and menstruation occurs only when the level of the hormone prolactin in the woman’s body drops, which causes the appearance of breast milk.

If you are not breastfeeding, your periods usually return 6-8 weeks after delivery.

If you are breastfeeding, you may not have your period for as long as you are breastfeeding your baby.

During lochia, it is recommended to use pads rather than
tampons.

Abortion and menses

Many questions about menstruation also arise in women who have experienced an unplanned pregnancy and have decided to have an abortion.

How this procedure will affect the body depends on many factors, primarily on whether the abortion was medical or surgical. Bleeding after an abortion is normal, but in the truest sense of the word, menstruation is not.

Medical abortion

During a medical abortion, the doctor gives you two pills.

Usually, the first tablet is taken under the supervision of a doctor, in the clinic. After taking this pill, the endometrium of the uterus, to which the fertilized egg is attached, ceases to thicken, and pregnancy can no longer develop. Some women begin to bleed at this point.

The woman then leaves the clinic and takes the second pill at home. After taking it, the endometrium begins to separate from the walls of the uterus and exit through the vagina. Such bleeding usually begins 0.5-4 hours after taking the pill. Usually, at 4-5 hours of bleeding, it becomes more intense, then its intensity decreases, and it becomes similar to normal menstruation.

Surgical abortion

In the case of a surgical abortion, bleeding may begin immediately after the procedure, but in some women it begins after 3-5 days. Usually such bleeding is weaker than normal menstruation. Bleeding may stop or last until the next menstruation.

How long does bleeding last after an abortion?

Bleeding after any type of abortion often lasts 1-2 weeks. Most often, after this period, it becomes quite insignificant, and in some women it completely disappears until the next menstruation.

What should be the bleeding after an abortion?

Bleeding after an abortion is similar to normal menstruation, but the blood itself is often brown rather than red. After a medical abortion, it is usually more intense than after a surgical one.

You may notice blood clots and most of the time this is not a cause for concern, but if they continue to stand out against the background of heavy bleeding and continue for more than two hours, then your doctor should be contacted.

Many doctors do not recommend the use of tampons for at least two weeks after an abortion, during this period it is better to use hygienic
gaskets.

First period after abortion

Abortion restarts the menstrual cycle.

Periods after it usually return to normal within 1-1.5 months after the procedure. The timing depends, among other things, on how long the pregnancy was terminated—as a rule, the longer the term, the more time it may take for the body to restore the usual level of hormones.

During early pregnancy

We all know that scanty periods during pregnancy are simply impossible, unless, of course, the pregnancy is real and the bleeding is really menstruation. Strictly speaking, there is no menstruation during pregnancy, and if there is bloody discharge, then in medical language they are called completely differently. These questions will be answered by an obstetrician-gynecologist for pregnancy management.

Contents

What is menstruation and what is it for?

To begin with, let’s analyze why nature has conceived everything so interestingly and cunningly and “rewarded” the better half of humanity with this controversial function in all respects. But no matter how women rage and swear, everyone recognizes and confirms the important function of these secretions.
At the very moment when a girl slowly but surely turns into a girl, she acquires the ability to conceive, endure and give birth to a healthy baby. Whether everything is in order with these functions can be understood just by the regularity and stability of the arrival of menstruation. If there are any failures, then this is a signal to pay attention to your health and visit a medical specialist.
In medical terms, menstruation is the following. During ovulation – the most favorable days for conceiving a baby – an egg ripens in the body of every woman, ready for fertilization.

In preparation for pregnancy, it moves through the fallopian tubes into the cavity of the uterus itself in order to gain a foothold there.
In the uterus, active work is also underway to prepare for bearing a child, the uterine endometrium is compacted, and the site of fixation of the fertilized egg is being prepared.

If the long-awaited conception does not occur, then the empty egg and the excess, “reserve” cell layer are torn away from the walls of the uterus and brought out in the form of menstruation.
From all of the above, it becomes clear that during pregnancy there should be no menstruation, a fixed egg is perfectly arranged, fixed and begins to grow and develop.

But with all this, it is not uncommon for pregnant women to observe bloody discharge in themselves, very reminiscent of menstruation, especially in the first stages of pregnancy. Let’s deal with this.

Causes of menstruation during pregnancy

Among the most commonly reported reasons for menstruation during pregnancy are the following:

• Ectopic pregnancy. In this case, the fertilized egg is not attached to the wall of the uterus, but, for example, in the cervix, or fallopian tube, or peritoneum. This does not lead to anything good, it is treated in an operable way. At the same time, the nature of blood discharge is very different from standard menstruation, and you can immediately easily recognize that something is wrong. The color of the flowing blood is dark brown, and the discharge itself is accompanied by strong pulling or cutting pains in the lower abdomen. In some cases, a high temperature may rise, severe weakness occurs in women, and even fainting is possible. An ectopic pregnancy is very serious, a visit to the gynecologist is required.

• Delayed ovulation . It usually occurs 13-15 days after the start of the menstrual cycle. At the same time, doctors consider the average cycle duration to be 28 days. But, of course, everything is very individual, and deviations from this very norm always take place. So, ovulation can occur on the 24th day, or even later. In this case, the onset of pregnancy may precede the arrival of menstruation. It looks like this: the fertilization of the cell has taken place, but it has not yet had time to gain a foothold in the uterus, while menstruation still begins.

• Miscarriage . With it, the embryo for some reason dies in utero. and the same rejection of the fetus occurs. At the same time, the nature of the secretions is quite strong and intense, it will not work to write off the usual “daub”. The causes of fetal death can be both genetic abnormalities and hormonal imbalances, as well as various infectious diseases, congenital fetal pathologies, and much more.

• Specific structure of the uterus (bicornuate) . A fertilized egg is attached in one of the horns, and conception does not occur in the neighboring one at the same time. And it turns out that menstruation passes right during pregnancy.

• Threatened miscarriage . In this case, a completely atypical bleeding is observed in a pregnant woman, which may be accompanied by pain. This is a clear signal to visit an obstetrician-gynecologist. In this case, the discharge can be watery, scanty, or, on the contrary, can be very abundant with clearly distinguishable clots. These symptoms should never be ignored.

• Pregnancy with multiple fetuses . If one of the eggs was able to attach to the uterine wall, and the other did not have time or for some reason did not take root, then the body simply rejects such an unfortunate egg, and at this time the so-called menstruation begins.

• Enough aggressive intercourse can also cause bleeding. If the partner was very rude intentionally or unintentionally, then this may not be the best way to affect the condition of the pregnant woman.

• Various diseases of the cervix (erosion or polyps) . It is better to cure all this before pregnancy, but it can also be unplanned.

• Incorrect implantation of the future child’s place, or chorion. If it is the location of the placenta is low or central, then this can provoke quite strong and intense bleeding.

Now you know in which cases menstruation occurs during pregnancy, although at some points it would be simply incorrect to call these discharges menstruation.

Menstruation at different stages of pregnancy

The most interesting thing is that full periods during pregnancy can be the norm only during the first trimester of pregnancy. At a later date, any atypical discharge becomes an indisputable reason to contact your gynecologist and undergo a comprehensive examination.

The gynecologist will definitely start with an external examination, if necessary, he can prescribe an ultrasound during pregnancy, you will also have to take a blood test, and would it be desirable to check if the hormonal background is in order.
If blood discharge is observed during the second or third trimester, then they can have the most unfortunate consequences – up to a threat to the life of the fetus or mother. Of course, no woman wants such a turn of events, so you need to carefully monitor your condition and the type of vaginal discharge.

How to understand what is what?

Above we talked about the reasons for menstruation during pregnancy, and what they are. But how to distinguish really menstruation, which some people have at the beginning of pregnancy and do not carry anything bad with them, from those discharges that can signal really serious problems?
To do this, you need to carefully listen to your body and be very observant. So, if you have:

• Pinkish or dark brown discharge that does not last long and is not heavy, then this may indicate implantation bleeding. It usually happens within the first month, and does not bear any negative consequences;

• Dark brown discharge with clots . They should already greatly alert the expectant mother. This may be a signal of the onset of a miscarriage, so we immediately call an ambulance. This should be done especially if the discharge is accompanied by pain in the lumbar region, convulsions, unreasonable chills;

• Discharge with peculiar, offensive odor . This fact may indicate an infectious lesion of the uterus. This can be very serious, and the presence of such an infection can trigger a miscarriage.

What to do if you notice blood?

If uncharacteristic bleeding appears during pregnancy, then you should not think that everything will go away by itself and resolve itself. If you do not want to harm yourself or your baby, then you must immediately, without delay and without delay, take all possible measures for your safety.

Firstly, if these discharges are not accompanied by any pain, are not abundant and generally do not bring any discomfort, except for the understanding that something is going wrong, you just need to make an appointment with your local gynecologist and undergo an examination. Only it can confirm that everything is in order with you and your baby.
Be prepared to ask your doctor about the possible reasons that could provoke these discharges. Therefore, be very careful and remember any little thing that could affect your condition and well-being.