Blood spotting after sex during pregnancy

Pregnancy increases blood flow to the cervix, making its surface easier to irritate during penetrative sex. Cervical inflammation, a cervical polyp, or an infection such as chlamydia can also cause contact bleeding. The timing suggests a cervical source, but it cannot confirm one.

Bleeding may instead be related to the pregnancy, so clinicians consider how far along you are, the amount and colour, whether pain is present, and previous scan findings. Sex does not cause a miscarriage in an uncomplicated pregnancy, although your own maternity team may recommend avoiding it in particular clinical circumstances.

Pause penetrative sex while bleeding is present and use a pad to observe the flow. Note whether the blood is pink, red, or brown, whether it is increasing, and whether you have cramps, one-sided pain, fluid leakage, fever, dizziness, or unusual discharge. Avoid inserting tampons.

Contact your maternity unit, obstetric clinician, or appropriate pregnancy service for advice the same day. Tell them your stage of pregnancy, blood group if known, amount of bleeding, pain, and any previous pregnancy complications. They will decide whether an examination, ultrasound, blood test, or infection test is appropriate.

Seek emergency care for heavy or increasing bleeding, severe abdominal or pelvic pain, one-sided pain, shoulder-tip pain, fainting, marked dizziness, weakness, or collapse. These warning signs require prompt assessment regardless of whether sex happened beforehand.

Also obtain urgent maternity advice for contractions, fluid leaking from the vagina, fever, or reduced fetal movement at a stage when movements are normally felt. Do not drive yourself if you feel faint or seriously unwell.

Ask whether you need examination or imaging, when intercourse can be resumed, and whether symptoms suggest cervical irritation or infection. If your blood group is Rh negative, ask whether the bleeding changes any treatment recommended for your stage of pregnancy.