Why am I bleeding? Infections, Anti-D
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Infections
Spotting can also be caused by conditions unrelated to pregnancy. A vaginal infection (such as thrush or bacterial vaginosis) or a sexually transmitted infection (such as trichomoniasis, gonorrhoea, chlamydia, or herpes) can cause inflammation in the cervix. Your midwife can take a swab to check for infection.
Placental problems
In the second or third trimester, bleeding can be a sign of a condition such as placenta praevia (where the placenta covers the cervix, blocking the baby's way out) or placental abruption (in which the placenta separates from the uterus) and should be checked out straightaway.
If you have an ultrasound scan, the position of the placenta will be remarked on. Women with a low-lying placenta will be advised to go to the labour ward if they have any bleeding in their pregnancy, to check that everything is okay.
Normal labour
The mucus plug or 'show' that women usually experience before labour starts is often streaked with blood. If this occurs after 37 weeks, it's most likely just a sign that the cervix is beginning to soften or dilate in preparation for labour.
Unknown
In many cases, the cause of bleeding in pregnancy is unknown, and women go on to full-term with no complications. It's still best to report any bleeding in pregnancy to your midwife, though, or to contact the labour ward if you need to speak to a midwife urgently.
Anti-D
It's important to know your blood group, as if you're Rhesus positive and have a bleed after the 12th week of pregnancy, you'll be advised to have an injection of Anti-D within 72 hours. This prevents your body from developing antibodies that may cause problems in future pregnancies.
More help and advice
- Get all the facts about miscarriage
- Find out more about ectopic pregnancy
- Tips on what to do if you bleed during pregnancy
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Where to next?
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'A really bad headache can mean pre-eclampsia'
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All you need to know about morning sickness
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Avoiding chickenpox during pregnancy
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Avoiding heartburn in pregnancy
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Bleeding during pregnancy
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Braxton Hicks contractions
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Common pregnancy worries
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Constipation in pregnancy
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Coping with coughs and colds
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Dealing with morning sickness
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Discharges in pregnancy
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Fibroids in pregnancy
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Michelle MacIntyre, about 1 year
Is it not if your blood is rhesus negative you need anti - D?
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janine timmoney, about 1 year
im jst wondering if some one could write me back to tell me i took a pragnany test at the doctors just for a check up it came back positive so they sayed i was pragnant a few weeks later i woke up to see i was bleeding i went to the hospital and they took another test that one came back negative then they told me i wasent preganat cause i had a peroid and the test sayed negative im so confussed and i dont know what to believe could some one please give me there opinion, thank you xxxx
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