How to Stop Bleeding During Pregnancy
According to the American Pregnancy Association, up to 30 percent of pregnant women experience bleeding at some point during a pregnancy. Bleeding during the first half of your pregnancy may be caused by an event as simple as the implantation of the fertilized egg in the lining of your uterus or as serious as a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. Bleeding during the second half of your pregnancy is usually more serious and frequently indicates either a placental complication or the beginning of labor. Knowing how to respond when you start bleeding during pregnancy can mean the difference between life and death for you and your baby.
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Instructions
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Place a pad or pantyliner in your underwear. Check the pad hourly to determine the severity of your bleeding. If you are filling a pad an hour, then your bleeding is potentially life-threatening and you should contact your doctor or go to the emergency room immediately.
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Get off your feet. Lay down in your bed and rest quietly. Moving around and lifting things when you're experiencing vaginal bleeding typically increases the bleeding.
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Determine how far along you have progressed in your pregnancy using a calendar. Some bleeding during pregnancy, such as implantation bleeding, may occur before you even know that you're pregnant. Most miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies occur during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Knowing your exact week of pregnancy will allow you to narrow down the possible causes of your bleeding and give you more information to share with your health care provider.
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Check for other symptoms, including abdominal cramps or pain, nausea, diarrhea, and fatigue. Using a pen and paper, write down your symptoms so you can refer to them when you talk with your doctor.
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Alert your obstetrician or midwife immediately on the phone. Share all the information that you have gathered with your health care provider and let him determine when you need to go in for an exam or testing.
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Tips & Warnings
Heavy bleeding accompanied by abdominal pain or cramps at any point during your pregnancy is a sign of a serious problem and you should contact your doctor or go to the emergency room immediately. Do not engage in sexual intercourse while you are experiencing bleeding since doing so can make the bleeding worse.
