What Causes Spotting in Pregnancy?

While it is not normal to have spotting in pregnancy, it is quite common. For the most part, if you know that you are pregnant and you notice any spotting, which is a light bleeding from the vagina, you should contact your doctor right away to make sure that there is nothing wrong with the baby. Spotting is normal about ten days after conception, but it is highly unlikely that you will even know that you are pregnant at this early stage. This is because there will be some bleeding as a result of the fetus attaching itself to the wall of the uterus. Doctors refer to this as implantation bleeding. If you develop a vaginal infection, this could also cause some light spotting. If you have a cervical smear or an examination by the doctor that causes you a bit of discomfort, you may notice some spotting in the days immediately following these tests. If there is a possibility of this happening, the doctor or the nurse will likely tell you what to expect and not to worry if you do notice some bleeding. The blood in this case is not coming from the womb, but rather it is coming from the outside of the cervix. Another situation that could result in spotting or bleeding is a kidney infection. If you have an attack of kidney stones and do pass the stone this will cause some bleeding as well. Although both conditions are quite painful and may even require you to take antibiotics, neither one of them will do any harm to the baby. If you do not have any of the conditions described above, spotting in the first trimester of your pregnancy could be a sign of an impending miscarriage, which is why you need to contact your doctor right away. When problems are discovered early, the doctor can help you take steps to make sure you do continue in your pregnancy. In some cases, bed rest for a short period of time, either at home or in the hospital, will help stop the bleeding and help you get back on track. This may be your body`s way of telling you that you are trying to do too much and to slow down. During the third trimester of pregnancy, spotting is also serious because it could mean you have a condition known as placenta previa. The doctor will make sure you have a complete examination and ultrasound to determine the position of the placenta and to make sure it has not detached from the lining of the womb. In some cases, the doctor can help to prolong the pregnancy so that you carry the baby until its vital organs are fully developed by admitting you to the hospital. If you are far enough along, you may need to deliver the baby right away by means of a Caesarean section. Spotting after the 37th week of pregnancy is quite normal because it is a sign that the baby is about to be born. Babies born at this stage are full term. positive pegancy test