Spotting while pregnant: what to know

The cervix has increased blood flow during pregnancy and can bleed after sex or an examination. Light staining may be pink, brown, or red, but colour alone cannot distinguish a harmless cause from one that needs treatment. Miscarriage can present with bleeding and cramping, while ectopic pregnancy can present with bleeding, one-sided pain, shoulder-tip pain, or dizziness. Later in pregnancy, bleeding can be linked with placental or labour-related problems. These possibilities do not mean that spotting confirms a complication; they explain why context and timely assessment matter.

Contact your maternity team or clinician and describe when the spotting started, its colour, amount, and whether it is increasing. Note pain, clots, tissue, fluid leakage, contractions, fever, and dizziness. Use a pad to observe the flow and avoid tampons. Share your pregnancy stage, blood group if known, recent sex or examination, and medicines. Depending on your symptoms, assessment may include an examination, ultrasound, blood tests, or infection testing. Follow the specific advice given by your maternity service.

Go to emergency care for heavy bleeding, severe or one-sided abdominal pain, fainting, severe dizziness, shoulder-tip pain, fever, or feeling suddenly unwell. In later pregnancy, seek urgent advice for bleeding with contractions, reduced fetal movement, or fluid leakage. Do not wait for spotting to become heavy if you have a red-flag symptom.

Ask whether you need same-day assessment, which symptoms require emergency help, how to monitor the bleeding, and whether your blood group or pregnancy history affects the plan.