As scary as it looks, bleeding in expectant moms can be normal. One study found that half of women with bleeding profuse enough to send them to the emergency room went on to have healthy pregnancies.
Light to medium bleeding after sex is usually due to a normal increase in the vascularity of the cervix during pregnancy. Vaginal bleeding , especially early during the first trimester, can be a sign of implantation , or it could be the result of natural changes to your cervix.
More rarely, heavy bleeding can be a sign of miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy. The bleeding itself is rarely anything to worry about, but you should check with your practitioner to identify the cause. There are several things that might be behind bleeding after sex when you're pregnant, including:. Instead, wear a pad. More importantly, unless your doctor tells you that intercourse or orgasm is unsafe, keep it up.
This bleeding, while light, can last 2 to 7 days. Your body undergoes significant changes during pregnancy, with your cervix being one area, in particular, that changes the most. Painless, short-lived, pinkish, brown, or light red spotting after sex is a normal response to changes in your cervix, especially in the first few months. Since your cervix becomes more sensitive during pregnancy, a small amount of bleeding can occur if the cervix is bruised during deep penetration or a physical exam.
This happens if the thin epithelium of the vagina tears, causing vaginal bleeding. During gestation, Gaither says the cervix can become more sensitive and easily bleed during intercourse. Cervical ectropion is also the most common cause of bleeding towards the end of your pregnancy. If you have an infection, cervicitis, which is an inflammation of the cervix, could be to blame.
Cervicitis symptoms include:. Bleeding after sex might have nothing to do with your recent activity, but it could be an early sign of labor. Cross says a bloody show , which is a bloody mucus discharge, can occur as you get to the end of pregnancy.
This happens as a result of your mucus plug loosening or dislodging. In some cases, bleeding after sex could point to a more serious problem, especially if the amount of blood is more than light spotting.
They also stress that the further along you are in your pregnancy, the more serious the consequences. You may have one of these more serious medical conditions. If the placenta detaches from the uterine wall during pregnancy, Gaither says you could be dealing with placental abruption , a potentially life-threatening condition for both mother and baby. With placental abruption, you may experience abdominal or back pain during and after sex, along with vaginal bleeding.
Read more: 5 things nobody tells you about how sex and your relationship might change during pregnancy The 5 best pregnancy sex positions to keep things safe and hot.
Pregnancy health I'm pregnant. Photo: iStockphoto. How common is bleeding after sex during pregnancy? Implantation bleeding Early on in pregnancy, about a week after conception, you can have implantation bleeding , where the embryo burrows into the lining of the uterus and causes light bleeding.
Infection What experts say kids need to learn in sex ed An untreated sexually transmitted infection, such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea, or a yeast infection can cause spotting. Cervical polyps Polyps, or small growths, on the cervix are usually benign and can be related to higher estrogen levels during pregnancy.
Vaginal dryness Dryness, which can lead to tiny tears in the vaginal wall , is another possible source of spotting. Preterm labour During weeks 20 to 37, light bleeding, or spotting, accompanied by contractions, cramping, low backache, feelings of pressure in the pelvis or a watery or bloody vaginal discharge which could mean that you are leaking amniotic fluid , could be a sign of preterm labour , so be sure to contact your healthcare provider right away.
Causes of heavy bleeding after sex during pregnancy Less often, bleeding after sex during pregnancy can be a sign of something more serious. Implantation bleeding appears inconsistently for hours or days, and it's usually tinged pink or brown.
In some cases, light or heavy bleeding after sex while pregnant could signal trouble, especially if it happens during the second or third trimester. Placenta previa when the placenta fully or partially covers the cervix and placental abruption when the placenta separates from the uterus sometimes lead to bleeding.
Other concerning causes include miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy , or early labor. It's important to note that pregnancy sex doesn't cause miscarriage, placenta previa, or other dangerous conditions.
To be on the safe side, though, Dr. Minkin says to notify your practitioner about any bleeding during your pregnancy and let them decide where it's coming from. Don't have sex again until you get the all-clear, and wear pads instead of tampons to track the blood flow.
Call if you have extremely heavy bleeding, painful cramps, high fever, dizziness, or contractions.
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