When we think about discovering a pregnancy, the first symptom that comes to mind is a missed period, right? But did you know that many women continue to menstruate throughout their entire pregnancy? But is pregnancy with menstruation a common combination? Doesn’t it pose risks to the baby? What are the reasons for this happening?

Pregnancy with menstruation is not a common combination, because the blood eliminated during menstruation is the blood intended for fetal development, so it should be investigated to find out the cause. Problems such as placental abruption or even an ectopic pregnancy are reasons why a woman may have bleeding during pregnancy and require special care since they pose a risk of miscarriage.

In the first days of pregnancy, it is common to have bleeding after conception, which, until discovered, can be mistaken for a normal period1. But this bleeding typically lasts about 2 days and its color changes, appearing pinker and may come with typical cramps. This symptom confuses women even more, making them believe it’s actually their period since the symptoms are identical. However, with the sudden disappearance of the bleeding, the suspicion of pregnancy arises and a test should be performed to confirm it.

Prefer tests that are reliable and have higher sensitivity to hCG, providing more trustworthy results, such as Famivita pregnancy tests which offer 10 mUI of sensitivity, capable of detecting hCG up to 5 days before a missed period2.

When spotting of any kind, including brown discharge, occurs after a pregnancy is discovered, you should seek medical evaluation. Women who have bleeding during pregnancy must rest absolutely without any effort to make sure a miscarriage does not happen. Some tests such as ultrasound will be requested to find out the cause and to ensure and monitor that the pregnancy remains healthy and the baby continues to develop as expected.

Main Reasons for Bleeding During Pregnancy

Some types of spotting are considered common at any stage of pregnancy and do not pose any risk to fetal development. However, a medical evaluation is needed to rule out risks and confirm what is happening. In case of persistent bleeding, loss of bright red blood with or without clots, abdominal pain, fluid loss, or fever, immediate medical attention should be sought. The main reasons for bleeding during pregnancy are:

  • Implantation: During embryo implantation, it is common for small blood vessels to rupture, resulting in light bleeding. This does not pose any risk to the pregnancy.

  • Sexual Intercourse: Sex is not forbidden during pregnancy, but during intercourse, blood vessels can rupture since the cervix is more sensitive during this phase, and a small bleed may occur. Sexual intercourse should only be avoided in case of risk of miscarriage and by medical recommendation.

  • Cervical issues: Sores may be found on the cervix which usually disappear naturally. If they persist, cauterization may be needed to stop the bleeding.

  • Placental abruption: As the pregnancy progresses, the placenta can detach and cause bleeding. If this occurs, immediate and absolute rest is required, as there is a risk of preterm labor and miscarriage.

  • Ectopic pregnancy: The main symptom is bleeding. Pregnancy outside the uterus poses great risks to the mother, especially when developing in the fallopian tubes. After an ultrasound for confirmation, treatment is performed through surgery or medication.

In the third trimester, bleeding that can occur is usually due to the baby’s engagement in the pelvis. In the last few weeks, the baby will be moving and positioning for birth, and during these movements, light bleeding is common along with the passing of the mucous plug. Even though some cases of bleeding are considered normal, every case should be checked and analyzed by your obstetrician, who will assess the risks and necessary care to ensure the health of the baby and the mother.