symptoms during pregnancy
women s health issues
Vaginal Bleeding During Early Pregnancy
Vaginal bleeding during early pregnancy may result from disorders related to the pregnancy (obstetric) or not (see table). Themost common causeof vaginal bleeding during early pregnancy is A Miscarriage (also called spontaneous abortion) Vaginal bleeding may mean that a miscarriage is possible, but sometimes the bleeding stops and the pregnancy continues without any problems. When a miscarriage does occur, it usually happens in a few stages. First, there is bleeding. Then cramping develops, which may be severe and the bleeding may become heavy. The woman then usually passes the pregnancy, and she may see pregnancy tissue pass out of the vagina. Sometimes, a miscarriage does not cause any symptoms and is found when the fetus is assessed during a regular medical visit (called a missed abortion). If a woman suspects she is having a miscarriage, she should contact her doctor. Sometimes women can go through a miscarriage at home, but if the pain or bleeding is severe, or if the pregnancy tissue is not passed completely, they need treatment with medications or a procedure to make sure they are safe and the pregnancy passes completely. The contents of the uterus may be infected before, during, or after the miscarriage (called a Miscarriage ). Themost dangerous causeof vaginal bleeding during early pregnancy is An abnormally located pregnancy ( Ectopic Pregnancy )—one that is not in its usual place in the uterus—for example, one that is in a fallopian tube An ectopic pregnancy is life threatening. A pregnancy implanted outside the uterus will not develop normally. As the pregnancy grows in a fallopian tube or other body part (such as the ovary, cervix, old cesarean scar in the uterus, or abdomen), it may cause that part to burst. This leads to severe pain and heavy bleeding, which can result in severe harm or even death to the pregnant woman. When an ectopic pregnancy is diagnosed, the treatment is to end the pregnancy with medications or remove it with surgery. Another possibly dangerous but less common cause is rupture of a corpus luteum cyst. After an egg is released from the ovary, the structure that released it (the corpus luteum) may fill with fluid or blood instead of breaking down and disappearing as it usually does. Formiscarriage,risk factors include the following: Age over 35 One or more miscarriages in previous pregnancies Smoking (Tobacco) None Use of illicit drugs, such as Cocaine , or possibly other substances, such as Abnormalities in the uterus, such as Stones in the Urinary Tract , scarring, or an abnormal shape of the uterus Forectopic pregnancy,risk factors include A previous ectopic pregnancy (the most important risk factor) Previous abdominal surgery, especially for permanent sterilization (tubal ligation) Fallopian tube abnormalities Current use of an Intrauterine Devices (IUDs) (IUD) In vitro fertilization to conceive the current pregnancy Additional risk factors for ectopic pregnancy include history of Overview of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) or 