Causes
of Spotting During Early Pregnancy
Ectopic
pregnancy- Spotting or bleeding during early pregnancy
can be a symptom of an ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic
pregnancy is a pregnancy where the fertilized
egg attaches to someplace outside of the uterus. It is also
sometimes called a tubal pregnancy if it attaches to one of
the fallopian tubes. If you experience bleeding or spotting
accompanied by abdominal pain or dizziness,
you could be having an ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy
can be an emergency situation. If you experience sharp pain
or bleeding seek emergency care.
Miscarriage-
About twenty to thirty percent of pregnancies end in miscarriage.
A miscarriage may start off with light spotting or bleeding.
Other signs of miscarriage
include cramping, bleeding and loss of pregnancy symptoms.
Keep in mind that many women have spotting during pregnancy
and do not go on to miscarry. About fifty percent of women
who experience spotting during early pregnancy go on to have
a healthy pregnancy.
Implantation
bleeding- Spotting during pregnancy may be caused
by implantation. Implantation
bleeding occurs after the egg burrows into the
lining of the uterus. As the egg implants into the lining
sometimes a little bit of bleeding will occur. This bleeding
may be noticed at the time of implantation or a few days later
as brown spotting.
Spotting
after sex- Blood supply to the cervix is much higher
during pregnancy. Sometimes having sex can irritate the cervix
and cause slight bleeding afterwards. You should talk to your
doctor or midwife any time you have spotting but make sure
to let them know if you had intercourse before the spotting
occurred. You may be advised to abstain from intercourse during
your first trimester if you are having spotting.
Spotting
after an internal exam- Frequently women will have
slight spotting after an internal exam or pap smear. This
is generally nothing to worry about. If the spotting continues
or turns to bleeding contact your doctor or midwife.
Other
causes- Sometimes spotting occurs and there is just
not a clear answer as to why. You may be advised to abstain
from heavy lifting, exercising or to stay off your feet if
you have had spotting during your first trimester.