Bleeding in pregnancy is more normal than we may think. One in five women has some blood loss during pregnancy , without this causing any problems for the fetus or the mother. However, of course they are a cause for great concern and always deserve a consultation with the doctor.
At the end of pregnancy, the most common is that it is the result of a trauma to the cervix, which is increasingly sensitive at this point in pregnancy, although there may also be other causes. We share some of the reasons why small vaginal bleeding can occur at the end of pregnancy and what you should do.
Difference between spotting and bleeding
A hemorrhage is the leakage of blood , which can consist of a small light bleeding or a great loss of blood that is life threatening or signifies something serious.
Before proceeding to explain the possible causes of presenting small vaginal bleeding at the end of pregnancy, it is necessary to clarify that spotting is not the same as bleeding , and it is important to know how to differentiate between one and the other.
A spotted may not come to stain outer clothing, nor come to impregnate a pad or panty liner. This is a small amount of bleeding mixed with normal vaginal discharge.
On the other hand, in the case of bleeding there is intense flow and it could be due to something serious . If we are talking about bleeding or hemorrhage (that is intense, abundant or painful) in the third trimester, there may be a risk of miscarriage so you have to go to the emergency room immediately.
Possible causes
Speaking of the possible causes of small vaginal bleeding in late pregnancy, the most common is that it is the result of trauma to the cervix , which is increasingly sensitive at this point in pregnancy.
Some of the causes for small red or brown spots at the end of pregnancy can be:
Having sex
After having penetrative sex, you may notice a slight loss of blood. This can occur due to the friction that occurs on the vaginal walls, and that, due to the congestion of the tissues typical of pregnancy, causes a small rupture of the blood vessels.
These losses are not dangerous, nor do they pose any danger to the baby. They occur in a timely manner and disappear after a few hours. If not, check with your doctor.
A medical examination or internal exam
As in the case of sexual intercourse, due to the congestion of the vaginal walls, it is possible that after a gynecological examination or an internal examination (such as a transvaginal ultrasound) you will notice slight vaginal bleeding.
In both cases, it is a light staining that does not usually last more than a day .
Diseases or infections of the vagina or cervix
Light bleeding can also be a sign of diseases or infections of the vagina or cervix , as well as uterine fibroids or cervical growths or polyps, causes that carry more risks.
It could also be due to an abnormality in the cervix . If so, any infection or illness should be treated to avoid complications during pregnancy or delivery.
Labor begins
A small amount of blood mixed with vaginal discharge can be a sign that labor has started . It is because the cervix begins to dilate in preparation for the baby to be born.
When to see the doctor or go to the hospital
It is important that you always tell your doctor if you observe vaginal bleeding , since in addition to the common causes that we already mentioned, there may be other unknown ones. In most cases an ultrasound will determine the cause.
If slight blood loss in late pregnancy is accompanied by pain or other symptoms, it is important to seek consultation.
The visit to the hospital must be urgent if the spotting is accompanied by contractions, fever, vomiting, dizziness or if it turns into heavy bleeding , as it could be serious complications of the placenta such as detachment of the placenta or placenta previa, or threat of abortion. .
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