Constant Brown Spotting in Early Pregnancy

The brown colour commonly appears when blood has taken longer to leave the vagina. Colour alone cannot show why bleeding is happening or how a pregnancy is progressing.

Light spotting can occur when the cervix is more sensitive in pregnancy, including after sex or an examination. It can also occur around the time a pregnancy attaches to the womb. Infection, a small area of bleeding inside the womb, or a pregnancy complication can also cause bleeding. A scan and pregnancy-hormone testing may be used when the cause is unclear.

Spotting is a symptom, not a diagnosis. It does not by itself confirm miscarriage or show that a pregnancy is healthy. Tell the clinician when it began, whether it is becoming heavier, and whether you have cramps, one-sided pain, dizziness, fever, or shoulder-tip pain.

Contact your obstetrician, midwife, or early-pregnancy service for advice about ongoing spotting. Use a pad so you can observe the amount and colour; avoid tampons while bleeding. Keep a brief record of timing, clots, pain, and any recent sex or examination. Do not start or stop medicines, including progesterone or blood thinners, without the clinician who prescribed them.

Seek urgent medical care if bleeding becomes heavy, you pass tissue, or you develop strong or one-sided abdominal pain, faintness, marked weakness, shoulder-tip pain, fever, or feeling very unwell. These signs need prompt assessment because bleeding in early pregnancy can sometimes accompany ectopic pregnancy or pregnancy loss. If you know you have a negative blood group, mention it when you contact the service.

Ask what examinations or scans are appropriate for your stage of pregnancy, whether repeat testing is needed, and which symptoms should send you directly to an emergency department. You can also ask whether sex, exercise, or a medicine should be paused while the bleeding is being assessed.