What should you know about continuous spotting early pregnancy?

Light spotting can occur in early pregnancy, but its cause cannot be determined from colour or amount alone. The cervix may bleed more easily, while infection, pregnancy-related bleeding, or a problem with the location or development of the pregnancy may also need consideration. Conditions such as polyps or fibroids can affect bleeding too. Cervical dysplasia, cervical cancer, and womb cancer are not the usual explanation for early-pregnancy spotting, but a clinician considers the whole history rather than assuming a cause.

Contact your maternity team, obstetric clinician, or an urgent pregnancy service for advice about continuous spotting. Tell them how far along the pregnancy may be, when the bleeding began, whether it follows sex, how much protection you use, and whether there is pain or discharge. They may arrange examination, pregnancy hormone testing, blood-group assessment, or ultrasound. Use a pad so you can observe the flow, and do not place anything in the vagina until you have received advice if bleeding is active.

Seek emergency care for severe or one-sided abdominal pain, shoulder-tip pain, fainting, dizziness, heavy bleeding, fever, or feeling very unwell. These signs can indicate a complication requiring rapid assessment. Even without warning signs, contact a maternity clinician promptly when spotting continues or changes.

Could the bleeding be from the cervix or another source? Do I need an ultrasound or blood tests? Which symptoms mean I should go straight to emergency care, and when should I update you?