Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy can cause worry. But it isn't always a sign of trouble. Bleeding in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, also called the first trimester, is common. And most people who have bleeding during pregnancy go on to deliver healthy babies.
Still, take vaginal bleeding during pregnancy seriously. Sometimes bleeding during pregnancy could be a symptom of a miscarriage. Or sometimes bleeding might be a symptom of a condition that needs treatment right away.
Learn about the most common causes of vaginal bleeding during pregnancy. Then you'll know what to look for. And you'll know when to contact your healthcare professional.
Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy has many causes. Some causes are serious. But many aren't.
Tell your healthcare professional about any vaginal bleeding during pregnancy. Be ready to say how much blood you passed, what it looked like and whether it had clots or tissue in it.
First trimester
During the first trimester, weeks one through 12:
- Tell your healthcare professional at your next prenatal visit if you have spotting or light vaginal bleeding that goes away within a day.
- Contact your healthcare professional within 24 hours if you have any vaginal bleeding that lasts longer than a day.
- Contact your healthcare professional right away if you have moderate to heavy vaginal bleeding, pass tissue from your vagina, or have any vaginal bleeding with belly pain, cramping, fever or chills.
- Tell your healthcare professional if your blood type is Rh negative and you have bleeding. You might need a medicine that keeps your body from making protein substances called antibodies that may harm future pregnancies.
Second trimester
During the second trimester, weeks 13 through 27:
- Contact your healthcare professional right away if you have any vaginal bleeding that lasts longer than a few hours or if you also have belly pain, cramping, fever, chills or contractions.
Third trimester
During the third trimester, weeks 28 through 40:
- Contact your healthcare professional right away if you have vaginal bleeding or vaginal bleeding with belly pain.
In the final weeks of pregnancy, vaginal discharge that is pink or bloody might be a sign of labor starting. That's called the bloody show. If you see pink or bloody discharge near the end of pregnancy, contact your healthcare professional to make sure what you're having is bloody show. Sometimes, it might be a sign of a pregnancy complication.
Show References
- Norwitz ER, et al. Evaluation and differential diagnosis of vaginal bleeding after 20 weeks of gestation. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Aug. 23, 2024.
- FAQs: Bleeding during pregnancy. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/bleeding-during-pregnancy. Accessed Aug. 23, 2024.
- Norwitz ER, et al. Evaluation and differential diagnosis of vaginal bleeding before 20 weeks of gestation. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Aug. 26, 2024.
- Karima A, et al. Vaginal bleeding in pregnancy and adverse clinical outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 2024; doi:10.1080/01443615.2023.2288224
- Banwarth-Kuhn B, et al. Vaginal bleeding before 20 weeks of gestation. Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America. 2023; doi:10.1016/j.ogc.2023.03.004.
- Antenatal care: Management of unexplained vaginal bleeding in pregnancy. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng201. Accessed Aug. 23, 2024.
Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/bleeding-during-pregnancy/basics/when-to-see-doctor/sym-20050636