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Early Pregnancy Bleeding

by Cynthia M. Johnson, MA

Home | Health Information Center | Disease, Condition, & Injury Fact Sheets | Article

Definition

Vaginal bleeding is common in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. It is often nothing to worry about.

Causes

Bleeding has many common causes, such as:

Bleeding that happens after conception as the fertilized egg attaches to the wall of the womb
Blood between the membrane that surrounds the fertilized egg and the wall of the womb
Miscarriage
A fertilized egg that attaches to the wall of the womb but doesn't grow into an embryo
Ectopic pregnancy—a fertilized egg that attaches and grows outside the womb
Molar pregnancy, also called gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD)—the growth of abnormal tissue, instead of an embryo, inside the womb
Threatened miscarriage
Cervical infection
Vulvovaginitis
Urinary tract infection
Trauma
Cervical cancer or polyps

Risk Factors

The factors that increase the risk of bleeding depend on what is causing it to happen.

Symptoms

The amount of blood and the way the blood looks will depend on the cause.

Diagnosis

You will be asked about your symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done. A pelvic exam may also be done.

Blood tests may be done to check hormone levels.

The belly and vagina may need to be viewed. This can be done with an ultrasound.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the problem that is causing the bleeding. Bed rest, monitoring, and medicine may be needed. Some women may need surgery.

Prevention

Some causes of bleeding cannot be prevented. Getting early and regular prenatal care can help find and treat some problems before they happen.

Avoiding smoking, drugs, and alcohol can also help lower the chances of bleeding.

RESOURCES:

The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
http://www.acog.org

American Pregnancy Association
http://www.americanpregnancy.org

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada
http://www.sogc.org

Women's Health Matters
http://www.womenshealthmatters.ca

References:

Bleeding during pregnancy. American Pregnancy Association website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Updated August 2015. Accessed November 12, 2019.

Breeze C. Early pregnancy bleeding. Aust Fam Physician. 2016 May;45(5):283-286.

Early pregnancy bleeding. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/approach-to/early-pregnancy-bleeding. Updated May 17, 2019. Accessed November 12, 2019.

Pregnancy complications. Women's Health—US Department of Health and Human Services website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Updated April 19, 2019. Accessed November 12, 2019.

Sommers MS. Ectopic pregnancy. Diseases & Disorders: A Nursing Therapeutics Manual. 5th ed. F.A. Davis Company; 2015 (book chapter). EBSCO Nursing Reference Center Plus. Available at: https://www.ebscoh.... Accessed November 12, 2019.

Last reviewed September 2019 by EBSCO Medical Review BoardElliot M. Levine, MD, FACOG
Last Updated: 1/22/2021

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