About Bleeding and Cramping During Pregnancy
Bleeding and cramping are two symptoms no woman wants to experience while she is pregnant. However, these symptoms don't always mean a serious problem. To calm anxiety and know when to call a doctor, it's smart to learn what these symptoms may mean before you experience them.
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Implantation
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Sometimes bleeding may occur when the fertilized egg implants in a woman's uterus. According to the American Pregnancy Association, implantation bleeding may happen the first 6 to 12 days after fertilization, also referred to as conception. It may appear as light spotting for a couple of hours or a couple of days. Some women may experience light cramping as well. However, many women do not experience implantation bleeding at all.
Miscarriage
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In some cases, bleeding and cramping may mean miscarriage. The symptoms of a miscarriage include bleeding from the vagina, cramping in the pelvis area and tissue that comes from the vagina. It is possible, however, to have a miscarriage without passing tissue or experiencing cramps, especially early on in a pregnancy.
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Ectopic Pregnancy
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Bleeding and cramping may be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy, which is a pregnancy that develops in a fallopian tube. Symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy include cramping in the pelvis, pain to one side of the abdomen and bleeding. According to the Mayo Clinic, this type of pregnancy can be life threatening.
Placenta Problems
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When bleeding and cramping occur after the first trimester, they may indicate problems with the placenta. Placental abruption causes bleeding and cramping and occurs when the placenta separates from the wall of the uterus, an event that may happen before labor begins or during it. Placenta previa happens when the placenta is positioned low enough in the uterus to cover a woman's cervix completely or partially. With this condition, there is bleeding but typically no pain. Preterm labor, which is labor that begins before the 37th week of pregnancy, may also cause bleeding and cramping in pregnancy.
Get Help
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You should contact your doctor right away if you begin to experience bleeding during pregnancy. While the bleeding continues, avoid putting anything into the vagina, including tampons, and don't have sexual intercourse. It may help to wear a pad, so that you can monitor your blood flow and let your doctor know how heavy it is and whether or not you've passed any tissue.
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