Bleeding in early pregnancy
Bleeding during pregnancy is relatively common, with about 2 in 10 women experiencing some bleeding during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. It can be a worrying sign, and you should always contact your midwife or GP if it happens to you.
In early pregnancy you might get some perfectly harmless light bleeding, called "spotting" or "implantation bleeding". This is when the developing embryo plants itself in the wall of your womb and often happens around the time that your first period after conception would have been due.
Bleeding can also be due to changes occurring to the cervix due to pregnancy hormones. Your cervix gets an increased blood supply and becomes softer so any slight trauma such as sexual intercourse can result in some bleeding.
Vaginal bleeding can also be caused by:
- Infection
- A "threatened miscarriage" (a warning sign for a miscarriage and is diagnosed where there is ongoing bleeding with or without pain but the pregnancy is continuing).
- An ectopic pregnancy
- A molar pregnancy
Bleeding that is mild and painless, with good pregnancy symptoms is usually reassuring
Bleeding and/or pain in early pregnancy
NICE - Guidance on ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage
NHS Choices
The Miscarriage Association
The Ectopic Pregnancy Association
It is important to remember that many women who experience bleeding early on do go on to have a successful pregnancy.
Sickness/Nausea and Vomiting
Nausea and vomiting are symptoms of pregnancy and affects most women to some degree. If are suffering from nausea and vomiting in pregnancy there is nothing that you are doing or have done which has brought on these symptoms.
The cause is thought to be pregnancy hormones but it is unclear why some women get it worse than others.
It is important that other causes of vomiting are considered and looked into, particularly if you are unwell, have pain in your tummy or your vomiting only starts after 10 weeks of pregnancy. Other causes may include inflammation of the stomach (gastritis), a kidney infection, appendicitis or gastroenteritis.
Pregnancy Sickness Support
RCOG: Pregnancy Sickness
The Management of NVP and HG
Constipation
You may become constipated very early on in your pregnancy due to the hormonal changes in your body.
Although uncomfortable, it is generally not harmful to the mother or baby.
Pelvic Girdle Pain
In pregnancy the hormone Relaxin is released to soften the joints in preparation for birth. For some women this causes ligaments to stretch and can cause pain in the pubic area, groin, legs, back and hips. If your daily activities are affected discuss with your midwife who may refer you to physiotherapy.
If you are pregnant and want to know what might be causing the pain in your pelvic girdle joints and what you can do about it, click here: Pelvic girdle pain information