Spotting at 34 weeks pregnant

Even a small amount deserves advice in late pregnancy. The team will consider the colour and amount, whether it is continuing, your baby's movements, pain or contractions, fluid leakage, recent sex or an examination, and your placental history.

Light bleeding can come from the cervix, which has increased blood flow during pregnancy and may bleed after sex or contact. Infection or changes as the cervix begins to open can also produce blood-streaked discharge. Bleeding may instead be related to the placenta, which requires urgent clinical assessment.

Appearance alone cannot identify the source. A clinician may check your observations and the baby's heartbeat, examine you when appropriate, review placental location and decide whether imaging or laboratory tests are needed. Do not insert anything into the vagina while awaiting advice.

Phone your maternity triage or labour ward now and follow its instructions. Use a sanitary pad, not a tampon, so you can note the amount and colour. Tell the team when it began, whether there are clots, pain, tightenings or watery loss, and whether fetal movements have changed.

If you know that your blood group is rhesus negative, mention this during the call because bleeding can affect whether medication is advised. Arrange safe transport if an in-person assessment is requested, and take your maternity notes and medication list.

Seek emergency care for bleeding that is heavy or increasing, severe or constant abdominal pain, faintness, breathing difficulty, collapse, or feeling acutely unwell. Reduced or absent fetal movements, leaking fluid and regular painful contractions also require immediate maternity assessment. If you cannot reach your maternity unit and symptoms are severe, call local emergency services.

Ask what the likely source of bleeding is, whether the placenta and baby's monitoring are reassuring, and whether you need treatment or observation. Confirm what activity is appropriate, what recurrence should prompt another call and whether your follow-up or birth plan needs to change.