No! Having a period while pregnant is not possible. So, you can’t have a menstrual period while pregnant; however, you may see some spotting. Spotting refers to a few drops of blood that are too little to cover a pad or pantyliner. Bleeding is defined as excessive blood flow that necessitates the use of a pad. Wear a panty liner or pad if bleeding starts during the first trimester so you can gauge the volume of bleeding and inform your healthcare provider.
During pregnancy, however, you should not use a tampon or douche in the vaginal area. Bleeding during pregnancy should be taken seriously. Although bleeding is frequent throughout pregnancy, it is never natural. So, if you’re bleeding while pregnant, with or without pain, you should contact your doctor for advice.
Related:
Why you can’t have a menstrual period while pregnant
Blood loss that happens at the end of a menstrual cycle due to your egg not being fertilized by sperm is known as a genuine period. Hormones that control the release of the egg into your fallopian tubes and cause your womb lining to thicken decline in amounts at the end of the month when an egg goes unfertilized. The lining of your womb then disintegrates and is shed in what we call menstruation. An egg has already been fertilized and is growing as an embryo within the walls of your uterus if you’re pregnant. As a result, you cannot have a period while pregnant since your uterine lining is not discarded at the end of each month.
How much bleeding is normal while pregnant?
Vaginal bleeding frequently occurs throughout the first three months of pregnancy and is usually a source of concern for the mother. Women often question how much bleeding is normal in the first trimester of pregnancy. Early bleeding can sometimes indicate the presence of a major problem, although this is not always the case. During the first trimester of pregnancy, roughly 20% of pregnant women have light bleeding or spotting.
Causes of bleeding during the first trimester:
During the first trimester of pregnancy, 15 to 25% of women will have a miscarriage. The following are some of the reasons:
Implantation bleeding
This occurs throughout the first trimester of pregnancy. You most certainly haven’t taken a pregnancy test at this point. When the fertilized egg implants into the uterus, generally around the time your period is due, this sort of bleeding begins. Implantation bleeding is occasionally mistaken for a period, despite the fact that the bleeding is usually light or sporadic.
Ectopic Pregnancy
Bleeding during the first trimester may indicate an ectopic pregnancy, when the fetus starts to grow outside of your womb, usually in a fallopian tube. With an ectopic pregnancy, the amount of bleeding can vary. Unilateral discomfort, dizziness, or lightheadedness are also symptoms. Ectopic pregnancy can be life-threatening if left untreated, so getting a diagnosis as soon as possible is crucial.
Changes in the cervix
The cervix can become softer and more prone to bleeding as a result of regular hormone production during pregnancy. Furthermore, a cervical polyp (a benign overgrowth of tissue) may develop, causing greater bleeding during pregnancy. Following sexual intercourse or a pelvic examination, spotting or minor bleeding may occur in both circumstances.
Infection
During pregnancy, a vaginal infection can produce spontaneous vaginal bleeding. An abnormal vaginal discharge may accompany the bleeding.
Molar pregnancy ( gestational trophoblastic disease)
This is an extremely unusual disorder in which aberrant tissue instead of a baby forms inside the uterus. The tissue can be malignant and spread to other parts of the body in rare situations.
Other causes of bleeding during the first trimester can be:
- Miscarriage
- Threatened miscarriage
- Subchorionic hemorrhage
These can also be accompanied by:
- back pain
- fatigue
- fever
- faintness or losing consciousness
- vaginal discharge changes
- severe cramps or abdominal pain
- uncontrollable nausea and vomiting
- shoulder pain
- The bleeding is also much heavier, unlike spotting. It’s more like a normal period.
What can cause bleeding while pregnant (second and third trimesters):
There are a variety of reasons for bleeding or spotting later in pregnancy. Light bleeding can occur during pregnancy as a result of intercourse or an internal (pelvic) examination by your OB/GYN or midwife. Cervical issues, such as cervical insufficiency (when the cervix opens too early in pregnancy) or cervix infection, can cause bleeding. Placenta previa, premature labor, uterine rupture, or placental abruption are more significant causes of bleeding in later pregnancy. Bleeding after the first trimester usually necessitates medical intervention. Whether the bleeding is light or heavy, with or without accompanying symptoms during the second and third trimesters, you need to call your doctor for an emergency visit.
