First of all, an unexpected pregnancy can be startling, and it’s hard to know what to do. But what if your test is positive and you’re experiencing spotting? What do you do then? Should you get an abortion? Are you miscarrying? Did your body abort the pregnancy? Are you still pregnant?
There’s a lot that can be going through your brain. But before you get too carried away, take a deep breath! Let’s look at some reasons for early pregnancy spotting.
- Cervical sensitivity: A light brown-tinged spotting may be due to a pelvic exam or sexual intercourse, which may cause your cervix to become tender and inflamed; if this is the case, the spotting should resolve within 24-72 hours.
- Infection: Bleeding can occur during a urinary tract, cervical, or pelvic infection. If this is the case, it would be good to go to an urgent care or your primary.
- Implantation bleeding: When the uterus lining adjusts to the newly implanted egg, some women have reported bleeding. This appears six to twelve days after conceiving. This type of bleeding will go away on its own, and it is quite common.
- Molar pregnancy: A molar pregnancy — also known as a hydatidiform mole — is a rare complication of pregnancy characterized by the abnormal growth of trophoblasts. These cells typically develop into the placenta. The cluster of abnormal tissue which forms in the uterus rather than an embryo is usually due to chromosomal problems during conception. Because molar pregnancies raise hCG levels, pregnancy tests still come back positive. If this is the case for you, early treatment is important.
- Subchorionic hemorrhage: When blood accumulates between your uterine wall and the amniotic sac, a subchorionic hemorrhage or hematoma can cause early pregnancy bleeding. Keep in mind; Subchorionic hemorrhage only happens to about 1% of pregnancies. But it is always good to get checked out.
- Cervical polyps can cause spotting during early pregnancy. However, cervical polyps tend to happen to women in their 40s and 50s who have had several children.
- Miscarriage: For those who don’t know, a miscarriage is when a baby dies in the womb before 20 weeks of pregnancy. Some women miscarriage before they are aware they were pregnant.
For women who know they’re pregnant, about 10 to 15 in 100 pregnancies (10 to 15 percent) end in miscarriage. The majority of miscarriages happen in the first trimester. However, miscarriage in the second trimester (between 13 and 19 weeks) occurs in 1 to 5 in 100 (1 to 5 percent) pregnancies.
If your spotting or bleeding has subsided and you need someone to talk to about your options and verify your pregnancy, we at Pregnancy Help Inc. can help. You can make an appointment online by clicking here. Or you can call us anytime Monday through Friday by phone at 212-585-5829 or by text at 646- 734-8185.
We look forward to serving you!