What can cause spotting in early pregnancy?

Pink, red or brown spotting does not by itself show whether the pregnancy is developing normally. Contact a maternity or early-pregnancy service promptly for guidance, even if the bleeding is light.

Pregnancy increases blood flow to the cervix, making its surface more likely to spot after sex or an examination. A small collection of blood beside the pregnancy may also be seen on ultrasound. Infection can inflame cervical tissue and cause bleeding or unusual discharge.

Miscarriage commonly presents with vaginal bleeding, sometimes with cramping or passage of tissue. Ectopic pregnancy can present with bleeding and one-sided abdominal or pelvic pain, shoulder-tip pain, dizziness or collapse. Neither diagnosis can be confirmed or excluded from spotting alone.

Call your maternity team, early-pregnancy unit or urgent medical service. Report the amount and colour of blood, when it began, pain, dizziness, shoulder symptoms, previous ectopic pregnancy and your estimated stage of pregnancy.

Use a pad rather than an internal menstrual product so you can monitor the bleeding. Depending on your symptoms and pregnancy stage, assessment may include an examination, ultrasound and blood tests. A scan performed very early may need follow-up before the pregnancy location or development is clear.

Call emergency services for heavy bleeding, severe abdominal or pelvic pain, shoulder-tip pain, fainting, collapse, marked dizziness, confusion, breathlessness or feeling seriously unwell. These symptoms can signal significant blood loss or internal bleeding.

Do not drive yourself when you are faint, weak or in severe pain. If symptoms are stable but spotting continues, follow the timeframe given by your maternity service and return sooner if bleeding increases or new pain develops.

Ask whether the pregnancy location has been confirmed, what the scan and blood tests can show at this stage, whether repeat testing is needed and how to access help overnight. Also clarify whether any activity or medicine advice applies specifically to you.