Re: Can You Be Pregnant And Have A Period With Blood Clots
Berry Hootsell
Bleeding during pregnancy is common, especially during the first trimester. Usually, it's not a cause for concern. But because bleeding can sometimes be a sign of something serious, it's important to know the possible causes and get checked out by your doctor to make sure you and your baby are healthy.
Up to 25% of women have some vaginal bleeding during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Often this is normal and not a cause for concern. Many women who experience bleeding during this time go on to have normal pregnancies and deliver healthy babies.
Implantation bleeding. You may experience some normal spotting within the first 6-12 days after you conceive as the fertilized egg implants itself in the lining of the uterus. Some women don't realize they are pregnant because they mistake this bleeding for a light period. Usually, the bleeding is very light and lasts from a few hours to a few days.
Ectopic pregnancy. In an ectopic pregnancy, the fertilized embryo implants, or attaches, outside of the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube. If the embryo keeps growing, it can cause the fallopian tube to burst, which can be life-threatening to the mother. Although ectopic pregnancy is potentially dangerous, it only occurs in about 2% of pregnancies.
Molar pregnancy. Also called gestational trophoblastic disease, this is a very rare condition in which abnormal tissue grows inside the uterus instead of a baby. In rare cases, the tissue is cancerous and can spread to other parts of the body.
Cervical changes. During pregnancy, extra blood flows to the cervix. Having sex or a Pap test, both of which cause contact with the cervix, can trigger bleeding. This type of bleeding isn't cause for concern.
Abnormal bleeding in late pregnancy may be more serious because it can signal a problem with you or your baby. Call your doctor as soon as possible if you experience any bleeding in your second or third trimester.
Placenta previa. This condition occurs when the placenta sits low in the uterus and partially or completely covers the opening of the birth canal. Placenta previa is very rare in the late third trimester, occurring in about 1 in 200 pregnancies. A bleeding placenta previa, which can be painless, is an emergency requiring immediate medical attention.
Placental abruption. In about 1% of pregnancies, the placenta detaches from the wall of the uterus before or during labor, and blood pools between the placenta and uterus. Placental abruption can be very dangerous to both the mother and baby.
Vasa previa. In this very rare condition, the developing baby's blood vessels in the umbilical cord or placenta cross the opening to the birth canal. Vasa previa can be very dangerous to the baby because the blood vessels can tear open, causing the baby to bleed severely and lose oxygen.
Premature labor. Vaginal bleeding late in pregnancy may just be a sign that your body is getting ready to deliver. A few days or weeks before labor begins, the mucus plug that covers the opening of the uterus will pass out of the vagina, and it will usually have small amounts of blood in it (this is known as "bloody show"). If bleeding and symptoms of labor begin before the 37th week of pregnancy, contact your doctor right away because you might be in preterm labor.
Because vaginal bleeding in any trimester can be a sign of a problem, call your doctor. Wear a pad so that you can keep track of how much you're bleeding, and record the type of blood (for example, pink, brown, or red; smooth or full of clots). Bring any tissue that passes through the vagina to your doctor for testing. Don't use a tampon or have sex while you are still bleeding.
Jon is a writer from California and now floats somewhere on an island in the Mediterranean. He thinks most issues can be solved by petting a good dog, and he spends plenty of time doing so. Time not spent at his desk is probably spent making art or entertaining humans or other animals.
Dr. Stacy Henigsman is a physician specializing in obstetrics and gynecology. She currently practices in a private practice in California where she developed a special interest in minimally invasive gynecologic surgical procedures.
Clots can be bright in color or a darker, deeper red. More sizeable clots may look black. Menstrual blood begins to appear darker and more brown toward the end of each period as the blood is older and leaves the body less quickly.
When the flow is most substantial, the coagulation proteins within the blood may start to clump together, resulting in menstrual clots. This generally occurs when menstrual blood pools in the uterus or vagina before leaving the body.
A blockage in the uterus may stop it from contracting as it should, meaning that it cannot force the blood out as quickly as usual. The blood will leave the body more slowly, giving it more time to pool and form clumps.
People who are experiencing very heavy menstrual bleeding or have clots larger than a quarter in their menstrual blood should see a doctor, especially if they have any of the signs or symptoms of the conditions mentioned above.
A person with heavy menstruation may have to change their pad, tampon, or menstrual cup more than once every 2 hours for part of their period. They may also need two pads at a time and may miss out on everyday activities due to their menstrual flow.
Doctors may prescribe hormonal medications to help balance the hormones and control heavy bleeding. They may suggest using or changing a birth control method. Intrauterine devices (IUDs) containing progestin may reduce blood flow, and some birth control pills may also help.
Doctors may recommend taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) during the period to help reduce symptoms, such as cramping, pain, and discomfort. NSAIDs may also help with excessive bleeding.
Menstrual clots are normal and usually a symptom of heavy menstrual flow. Clots happen when the uterine lining sheds increased amounts of blood. When the blood pools in the uterus or vagina, it begins to coagulate, much like it would on an open skin wound.
There are a few different causes of atypical menstruation or experiencing larger clots. A doctor can help find effective ways to treat the underlying issues and control frequent or large menstrual clots.
Around 15% to 25% of pregnant women experience bleeding during the first trimester. Light bleeding and spotting can be perfectly normal, especially if it occurs around the time you would have had a period. Heavy bleeding or clots could indicate something more serious. You should always let your obstetrician or midwife know if you're bleeding during pregnancy.
Unfortunately, about 10% to 15% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage in the first trimester. About half of all miscarriages are caused by chromosomal abnormalities that aren't genetic. Most women who have a miscarriage can have healthy pregnancies in the future. Symptoms of miscarriage can include:
An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants somewhere other than the uterus. This usually happens in the fallopian tubes. An ectopic pregnancy can be life-threatening if it's not treated. You may not realize you have an ectopic pregnancy because it often has the same early signs and symptoms as a normal pregnancy. Some other symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy can include:
In a normal pregnancy, after an egg is fertilized tissue develops that forms the placenta and fetus. In a molar pregnancy, the tissue that would normally form the placenta develops into a mass of cysts. Fortunately, molar pregnancies only happen in about 1 in 1000 pregnancies. Most women who have molar pregnancies can go on to have a normal pregnancy. Signs of molar pregnancy are:
A threatened miscarriage is when you have all of the signs of a miscarriage but your cervix is still closed. Your symptoms can last for days or weeks. You may go on to have a healthy pregnancy, or you may have a miscarriage. Unfortunately, there's rarely anything that can be done to prevent a miscarriage. Bedrest used to be recommended, but there's no evidence that this helps.
A subchorionic hematoma is bleeding between the wall of your uterus and the fetal amniotic sac, the "bag of fluid" that surrounds your baby. The bleeding happens when the placenta partially tears away from the wall of your uterus. The severity of a subchorionic hematoma depends on its size. Small ones often go away on their own. Larger ones are more likely to cause problems. Subchorionic hematomas are the most common cause of bleeding in women who are 10 to 20 weeks pregnant.
You should let your doctor know immediately if you have any bleeding during pregnancy. The treatment for blood clots will depend on the cause. Your doctor may test to determine the cause and best course of treatment for you. These tests may include a vaginal exam, blood tests, or an ultrasound.
If you are having a miscarriage, you may be able to go home and let it take its course. This can happen over days or weeks. You may be able to take medicine to help speed up the process. If your miscarriage isn't complete, you may need to have a dilatation and curettage (D&C). This is a minor surgery where your doctor opens your cervix and removes any remaining pregnancy tissue.
Most early miscarriages can't be prevented because they're caused by chromosomal abnormalities in the baby. These are usually mechanical errors in copying the genetic code that happen during fertilization or early cell division, and are not inherited or anyone's fault. Miscarriages rarely happen because of something you did or didn't do. You shouldn't blame yourself. While there's no definite way to prevent a miscarriage, there are some things you can do to reduce your risk:
Miscarriage is the medical term for the spontaneous loss of pregnancy from conception to 20 weeks gestation. Risk factors for a woman having a miscarriage include cigarette smoking, older maternal age, radiation exposure, previous miscarriage, maternal weight, illicit drug use, use of NSAIDs, and trauma or anatomical abnormalities to the uterus. There are five classified types of miscarriage: 1) threatened abortion; 2) incomplete abortion; 3) complete abortion; 4) missed abortion; and (5 septic abortion. While there are no specific treatments to stop a miscarriage, a woman's doctor may advise avoiding certain activities, bed rest, etc. If a woman believes she has had a miscarriage, she needs to seek prompt medical attention.
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