Bright red blood can i still be pregnant

Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. Causes of bleeding problems during pregnancy Tests for bleeding problems during early pregnancy Tests for bleeding problems during later pregnancy Treatment of bleeding problems during early pregnancy Bleeding during early pregnancy and taking care of yourself at home Where to get help. You should go to your nearest hospital emergency department if you are experiencing: Heavy bleeding, for instance soaking two pads per hour or passing golf ball sized clots Severe abdominal pain or shoulder pain Fever or chills Dizziness or fainting Unusual smelling vaginal discharge Bleeding in the second half of your pregnancy.

Causes of bleeding problems during pregnancy It is not always possible to pinpoint why a woman is bleeding during pregnancy. Some of the many reasons may include: Miscarriage Ectopic pregnancy Implantation bleeding Placenta previa Placental abruption. Miscarriage A miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy before the fetus unborn baby can survive outside the uterus womb.

Ectopic pregnancy During the first trimester, vaginal bleeding can be a sign of ectopic pregnancy. Placenta previa Placenta previa occurs where the placenta is either wholly or in part inserted into the lower part of the uterus and covering the cervix.

Placental abruption This is when part or all of the placenta separates from the wall of the uterus before the birth of your baby. Tests for bleeding problems during early pregnancy It can take some time for your doctor to be sure of what the bleeding means. You may need a number of tests, which could include: Vaginal examination — to check the size of your uterus and the amount of bleeding. This examination lasts a few minutes and may be a bit uncomfortable. Blood tests — to check your blood type and, sometimes, the levels of pregnancy hormones in your blood.

Ultrasound scan — gel is rubbed on your abdomen. A hand-held scanner uses sound waves to provide pictures of the pregnancy. In very early pregnancy, more information is gained by placing a small, slender scanner in the vagina.

You will need to have a full bladder before the scan. An ultrasound scan takes around 15 to 20 minutes. If an ultrasound is needed, it can be arranged through the emergency department of your nearest hospital or your local doctor.

Tests for bleeding problems during later pregnancy Both placenta previa and placental abruption can cause heavy bleeding of bright red blood from the vagina.

Treatment of bleeding problems during early pregnancy The bleeding may be light and stop in a day or two. Bleeding during early pregnancy and taking care of yourself at home You may feel a range of emotions over this time.

While there is no specific treatment to prevent a miscarriage, things you can do that may help include: Getting plenty of rest. Using pads rather than tampons while you are bleeding. Avoiding sex while you are bleeding. Sex can resume once the bleeding has stopped.

Taking mild pain relief medication, such as paracetamol, if needed. Reporting any changes in your condition to your doctor. Placenta praevia, placenta praevia accreta and vasa praevia: diagnosis and management, , Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, UK. More information here. What causes bleeding during pregnancy? Give feedback about this page. Placenta accreta is usually found during routine prenatal ultrasound. If you have placenta accreta, your doctor will plan for extra precautions during the delivery and possibly a hysterectomy surgical removal of the uterus once the baby is born.

Labor prior to the 37th week of pregnancy is considered preterm labor , the signs of which can be mistaken for bleeding. Often, before labor starts, you'll pass the mucus plug , which can look bloody and watery thus the common moniker, "bloody show". The mucus plug may be passed several weeks before going into labor, or it could signal that preterm labor is about to occur.

Other symptoms of preterm labor may include cramping, abdominal pain or pressure, lower back pain or pressure, diarrhea, and contractions.

If you experience bleeding or spotting any time during pregnancy, call your doctor and use a panty liner or pad to monitor it. Pay attention to the color: Is it pink, bright red, or brown? Note any activities you might have done in the past day or two that may be causing the bleeding, such as a pelvic exam, Pap smear, or sexual intercourse.

Never use a tampon during pregnancy or put anything in your vagina while you're bleeding. Avoid sexual intercourse until your doctor gives you the all-clear. Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy can have lots of different causes—some serious and some not. It's tough to know the difference on your own, so always call your doctor immediately if you experience bleeding during your pregnancy.

Be sure to explain any other symptoms along with recent lifestyle cues to help decipher the cause. Get diet and wellness tips delivered to your inbox.

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Bleeding during pregnancy. Updated September Breeze C.

Early pregnancy bleeding. Aust Fam Physician. March of Dimes. Placental abruption. Updated January Cleveland Clinic. Incompetent cervix. Updated October 9th, Placenta previa. Placenta accreta. Updated April 18th, Preterm labor and premature birth: Are you at risk? Most miscarriages occur during the first 12 weeks 3 months of pregnancy and, sadly, most cannot be prevented.

Other symptoms of miscarriage include:. If you have bleeding or any of the symptoms above, contact your midwife or GP straightaway. An ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilised egg implants outside the womb — for example, in the fallopian tube. It can cause bleeding and is dangerous because the fertilised egg can't develop properly outside the womb. The egg has to be removed, which can be done through an operation or with medicines.

Symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy tend to develop in the 6th week of pregnancy but can happen later. This is when the plug of mucus that has been in the cervix during pregnancy comes away, signalling that the cervix is getting ready for labour to start. It may happen a few days before contractions start or during labour itself.

Find out about the signs of labour and what happens in labour. This is a serious condition in which the placenta starts to come away from the womb wall. Placental abruption usually causes stomach pain, and this may occur even if there is no bleeding. This is when the placenta is attached in the lower part of the womb, near to or covering the cervix.

Bleeding from a low-lying placenta can be very heavy, and put you and your baby at risk. You may be advised to go into hospital for emergency treatment, and a caesarean section will usually be recommended. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has more information on placenta praevia.