Light spotting in pregnancy: what to know

Spotting means a small amount of blood, often seen on toilet paper or underwear, rather than flow that fills a pad. The colour may range from pink to brown or red. Changes in the cervix, irritation after sex or an examination, infection, and pregnancy-related changes can all be considered. Bleeding can also occur with miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy, so the amount alone cannot establish the cause.

A clinician may ask when the bleeding began, its colour, whether it is increasing, and whether you have pain, dizziness, fever, unusual discharge, or shoulder-tip pain. Conditions such as Chlamydia, Cervical Dysplasia, or cervical cancer are among the less common possibilities clinicians may assess when the history or examination suggests them.

Contact your maternity unit, midwife, obstetrician, or another pregnancy-care service for individual advice. Note the colour, amount, timing, clots, triggers, and any pain. Use a pad if you need to observe the amount; avoid inserting anything into the vagina until you have received advice. Do not drive yourself if you feel faint. A pregnancy test, ultrasound, blood tests, or an examination may be offered depending on your stage of pregnancy and symptoms.

Seek urgent assessment for heavy or rapidly increasing bleeding, severe or one-sided abdominal pain, shoulder-tip pain, fainting, marked dizziness, fever, or feeling very unwell. These symptoms need prompt evaluation regardless of whether the spotting began after sex or an examination. If you are Rh-negative, tell the maternity team, because bleeding may affect whether you need specific pregnancy care.

Ask what amount of bleeding should trigger a return call, whether you need an ultrasound or blood test, and which activities or medicines to avoid while you are being assessed.