Rachna Mehta, 25, was alarmed when she noticed a drop of blood in early pregnancy. She frantically searched the net for how to stop bleeding during pregnancy.
“Your first step should be to immediately inform your ob-gyn,” says Dr. Namrita Gurpal Singh Sandhu, Consultant Obstetrician at Sitaram Bhartia Hospital.
“Vaginal bleeding can have different causes and needs to be treated accordingly.”
Worried about her pregnancy, Rachna came in for a consultation at our hospital.
What causes heavy bleeding during pregnancy?
Rachna wanted to understand what could’ve caused her bleeding during pregnancy so she asked the doctor her queries.
“The cause of vaginal bleeding during pregnancy depends on the period of gestation,” says Dr. Namrita Gurpal Singh Sandhu
“Bleeding during early pregnancy will have different causes as compared to the second or third trimester pregnancies.”
1. Bleeding in Early Pregnancy (First Trimester)
Bleeding in the first trimester is a common occurrence but it can be an indication of serious conditions as well.
So how much bleeding is normal during pregnancy?
- Implantation Bleeding – Typically defined as light spotting or bleeding that occurs about 10 to 14 days after conception, implantation bleeding is normal.
Implantation bleeding occurs when the fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus.
“It is possible that some women don’t experience or don’t notice implantation bleeding. Usually this kind of bleeding does not require treatment.”
- Loss of Pregnancy – Bleeding and cramping can be warning signs of early pregnancy loss, also known as a miscarriage.
“Sometimes, a pregnancy does not develop well which leads to the formation of an unhealthy or abnormal embryo.”
In such a situation, nature steps in and ends the pregnancy on its own, which triggers the bleeding, called a missed miscarriage.
It is important you seek advice on your condition early. A threatened miscarriage doesn’t always lead to loss of pregnancy and half of the women are able to continue.
- Ectopic pregnancy – A pregnancy that grows outside the uterus (womb) is an ectopic pregnancy, where the lining of the uterus may start to bleed.
“In a normal pregnancy, the pregnancy grows and develops in the uterus. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the pregnancy starts developing outside the uterus.”
An ectopic pregnancy poses a serious risk to your health if not treated on time so early diagnosis is advised.
Rachna’s ultrasound confirmed a live pregnancy with a small blood clot around the embryo.
“Rachna was experiencing a threatened miscarriage so we advised her bed rest, and some medication to relax the uterus and ease the pain.”
2. Bleeding in Second or Third Trimester Pregnancy
How to stop bleeding during pregnancy can be a cause of concern in later stage of gestation.
Rachna wanted to be better prepared for the rest of her pregnancy. She asked the doctor what bleeding later in pregnancy could mean for her and her child’s health.
“Light bleeding could be an indication of inflammation or growths on the cervix, vulva, or vagina, while heavy bleeding during pregnancy can signal issues in the placenta.”
- Placenta previa – If the placenta is detected in the lower part of the uterus then the condition is called ‘placenta previa’.
“Low-lying placenta detected via ultrasound in early pregnancy may actually start to appear attached to upper parts of uterus as pregnancy grows.”
However, if the condition does not resolve itself then you may experience painless bleeding.
It is important you contact the hospital right away if you experience bleeding, contractions or pain.
- Placental abruption – The placenta detaches from the wall of uterus before or during birth in placental abruption.
Complications like the baby not getting enough oxygen or loss of large amount of blood in the mother may occur if not detected and treated early.
Keep in mind that a small amount of blood-tinged discharge before the start of labour is a normal sign during delivery.
“Vaginal bleeding before 37 weeks of pregnancy can also be a sign of preterm labour. Appropriate action during preterm labour is taken after taking you and your baby’s health into consideration.”
When asked how to stop bleeding during pregnancy, Dr. Namrita Gurpal Singh Sandhu advised against preventive or home remedies.
“Measures – like injection to stop bleeding during early pregnancy, or medication and routine checkups – can be taken to treat the cause of bleeding if advised by your doctor.”
Early diagnosis is essential for your doctor to rule out possible causes.
Rachna was encouraged to make healthy life changes and think positively. Eventually, Rachna’s pregnancy progressed normally and she carried her baby to a full-term delivery.
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Namrita Gurpal Singh Sandhu
MBBS, Government Medical College & Hospital, Chandigarh, India (2005) DNB, National Board of Examinations (2012), MRCOG (Part One), Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (2015), Diploma in Gynecological Laproscopy, Hysteroscopy and Urogynecology, Kiehls school, Germany (2019)
Experience: 10+ years
Experience: 12+ years
Book your consultation with us today at our hospital in South Delhi. Please call on +91 9871001458.
