HealthPartners - Your guide to pregnancy

Being pregnant puts your body through many changes. You may not experience any of these issues, but you need to know what they are and what to do if you have symptoms.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

BLEEDING EARLY IN PREGNANCY Many things can cause you to start bleeding. Vaginal bleeding can be temporary and go away as the pregnancy progresses normally. But the following 2 causes of early pregnancy bleeding are very serious. Miscarriage: • Most common serious cause of early bleeding • Happens in 15-20 out of 100 pregnancies • Usually happens within the first 3 months • Most miscarriages cannot be prevented • Signs: bleeding more than during a heavy period, abdominal cramping, passing tissue Ectopic pregnancy : • Pregnancy outside the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube • Happens in fewer than 1 out of 100 pregnancies • Can cause severe pain and internal bleeding • Can be life-threatening because internal bleeding is not obvious • May or may not have any vaginal bleeding Call your health care provider right away if you experience bleeding early in your pregnancy, especially if you are also having abdominal pain.

BLEEDING LATE IN PREGNANCY You can have vaginal bleeding late in pregnancy (third trimester) for several reasons. Reasons that aren’t usually a cause for concern: • Bloody show (most common) – One of the first signs of labor, it happens when your cervix thins. The discharge usually includes thick mucus. • Cervical irritation and pelvic exams – These can also cause bleeding. Reasons that are a cause for concern: • Placenta previa – The placenta is partially or completely covering the cervix. As your cervix thins to get ready for labor, massive bleeding can occur. • Placental abruption – The placenta separates from the inner lining of the uterus too soon. This is usually accompanied by abdominal pain. Either of these serious conditions can lead to the death of the unborn baby and serious health problems for you. If bleeding is heavy or an abnormal fetal heartbeat is detected, you may need a cesarean birth.

WARNING! Report all late-pregnancy bleeding to your health care provider immediately!

42 Your Guide to A Healthy Pregnancy