Spotting When You Are Pregnant: What to Know

Light spotting may come from a sensitive cervix, especially after sex or an examination. Infection, changes in the cervix, or bleeding from within the uterus can also be involved. The significance can depend on how far pregnancy has progressed, the colour and amount of blood, and whether there is pain. A small amount of spotting does not by itself confirm a miscarriage, but pregnancy bleeding should not be self-diagnosed. Chlamydia can cause cervical bleeding and may have little warning, while other cervical conditions can also cause bleeding.

Use a pad rather than a tampon so you can observe the amount. Note the colour, clots, pain, dizziness, fever, and whether the bleeding follows sex or activity. Share these details with your maternity clinician.

Contact your maternity team or pregnancy clinician for advice, even when the spotting is light. Until you have guidance, pause sex and avoid inserting anything into the vagina if these activities increase bleeding. Do not stop prescribed medicines without advice. You may be offered an examination, pregnancy assessment, blood tests, or an ultrasound depending on your symptoms and stage of pregnancy. If infection is possible, mention discharge, pelvic pain, urinary burning, or a new sexual partner.

Go to urgent care for heavy or increasing bleeding, severe or one-sided abdominal pain, shoulder pain, faintness, collapse, fever, or feeling seriously unwell. These symptoms need prompt assessment in pregnancy. Information about [Bleeding Between Periods](/symptoms/bleeding-between-periods/) is also available, although bleeding in pregnancy needs pregnancy-specific advice.

What could explain this bleeding at my stage of pregnancy? Do I need an examination or scan? Should I avoid sex or activity for now? Which changes mean I should go straight to urgent care?