What should you know about regular bleeding during pregnancy?

Light spotting can have several explanations, including irritation of the cervix, infection or changes related to pregnancy. Bleeding may also occur with problems affecting the placenta, miscarriage or labour. The amount, colour, timing, pain, stage of pregnancy and your general condition all help clinicians decide how urgently you need assessment.

Bleeding between periods outside pregnancy has its own range of causes, including Cervical Dysplasia, Endometrial Polyps, Uterine Fibroids and Chlamydia. During pregnancy, do not assume that a familiar pattern is harmless. Cervical Cancer and Womb Cancer are less common explanations, but persistent or unusual bleeding still warrants clinical review.

Call your maternity unit or obstetric clinician and describe when the bleeding began, whether it is spotting or flowing, its colour, and whether you have cramps, pain, fever, dizziness or fluid loss. Use a pad rather than a tampon so you can observe the amount. Keep your pregnancy records available and follow the assessment advice you receive.

Avoid intercourse or inserting anything into the vagina until a clinician has advised you. Do not drive yourself if you feel faint or unwell. An examination, ultrasound or blood tests may be recommended depending on your symptoms and stage of pregnancy.

Seek emergency care for heavy bleeding, severe or one-sided abdominal pain, shoulder-tip pain, fainting, marked dizziness, fever, or reduced fetal movements later in pregnancy. Contact the maternity unit urgently for bleeding with regular tightening, fluid leakage or worsening cramps. These warning signs need prompt assessment regardless of whether the bleeding has happened before.

Ask: What could explain this bleeding at my stage of pregnancy? Do I need an examination or scan? Which symptoms should make me return immediately? Should I avoid sex, exercise or travel for now? When should I update you if the bleeding continues?