Minor spotting during pregnancy

Spotting means a small amount of blood, often noticed on toilet paper or underwear. It may arise from a sensitive cervix, especially after sex or an examination, or from infection and other changes in the cervix or uterus. Spotting does not by itself show what is happening with the pregnancy. Bleeding between periods is a related symptom, but pregnancy changes how it must be assessed.

A clinician may ask about the colour, amount, timing, pain, dizziness, fever and whether the bleeding is increasing. They may recommend an examination, pregnancy assessment or imaging based on your stage of pregnancy and symptoms.

Note when the spotting started, how long it lasted, its colour and whether it followed sex, exercise or an examination. Use a pad if you need to monitor the amount, and avoid inserting anything into the vagina until you have received advice. Contact your maternity team or pregnancy clinician promptly, even if the spotting stops. Do not self-diagnose from the colour alone.

Seek urgent medical care for heavy or increasing bleeding, severe or one-sided abdominal pain, shoulder pain, faintness, marked dizziness, fever, or feeling acutely unwell. Contact your maternity service urgently if you have bleeding with contractions, fluid loss or reduced fetal movement later in pregnancy. These warning signs need assessment because the cause cannot be judged safely at home.

Ask: Could my spotting be related to my cervix or an infection? What symptoms should send me to urgent care? Do I need an examination or ultrasound? Should I change activity or avoid sex while I am being assessed?