Pregnancy spotting is light bleeding similar to a period and is normal during the first trimester of pregnancy. As early as 7 – 9 days in the pregnancy, spotting may occur. Spotting can occur once, in small quantities, or several times during the pregnancy. The pain is often accompanied by lower back and stomach pain.
Normally, light pregnancy spotting or mucus discharge should not be of any alarm to the expectant mother. However, this should not also be taken lightly as it could turn out to be more serious and might need some medical attention to ensure that the mother and the baby are both fine and that no complications occur during and after pregnancy. The following are some of the known causes of pregnancy spotting.
Bleeding occurs during the very early stages of pregnancy as the embryo gets attached to the uterine walls. This is called Embryo Implantation. This slight vaginal discharge happens too early, usually about 6 to 7 days after fertilization, that the woman may not yet be aware of the pregnancy.
Ectopic Pregnancy is usually a failing pregnancy and happens when spotting is accompanied by abdominal pains and cramping. Ectopic pregnancy happens when the fertilized ovum implants and develops itself in any tissue other than the uterine walls. This case is more serious and should be given immediate medical attention. Aside from pregnancy spotting, Ectopic Pregnancy can cause pain in the lower abdomen, pain in urinating and in bowel movement.
Placenta complications causes pregnancy spotting during the second or the third trimesters of the pregnancy. This condition is known as placenta previa and can complicate normal deliveries. Placenta previa happens when the placenta has attached to the uterine wall close to or covering the cervix. When this occurs, spotting or bleeding in the second or the third trimesters of the pregnancy is serious. Age is a factor in placenta previa complications as women in their 30’s have higher risk factors than women in their 20’s.
As the cervix prepares for delivery, pregnancy spotting signals Normal Labor and should cause no alarm to the expectant mother. This mucus discharge occurs after the 37th weeks of pregnancy. By then the baby is ready to be born.
