Short answer
Light spotting in early pregnancy is not always serious, but always get it checked the same day. Go to hospital immediately if the bleeding is heavy (soaking a pad soon after you put it on), or comes with severe tummy pain, shoulder-tip pain, dizziness or fainting. These can be signs of an ectopic pregnancy or a miscarriage.
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- Dhruva Hospitals, Kadapa
Possible causes
- Implantation bleeding in very early pregnancy
- Changes in the cervix, which can bleed after sex
- Infection, including urine infection
- Miscarriage
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Molar pregnancy, a rare problem with the developing placenta
Emergency signs
- Severe pain in the tummy that stops you doing daily tasks
- Pain in the tip of the shoulder
- Feeling sick, faint or dizzy, or passing out
- Heavy bleeding that soaks a pad soon after you put it on
Call +91 90368 52311 or come to the hospital immediately.
Ectopic pregnancy
In an ectopic pregnancy, the pregnancy grows outside the womb, usually in a fallopian tube. It cannot continue and has to be treated with medicine or an operation. Symptoms usually appear between 4 and 12 weeks: pain low on one side of the tummy, bleeding or a brown watery discharge, shoulder-tip pain, and discomfort when passing urine or stools.
If the tube bursts (ruptures), it is an emergency that needs surgery, often by laparoscopy (keyhole surgery). The risk is higher after a previous ectopic pregnancy, tube surgery, pelvic infection, fertility treatment, pregnancy with a copper-T or other IUD in place, smoking, and above age 35.
Miscarriage
A miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy in its early months. The main sign is bleeding, sometimes with cramping pain, passing tissue or a sudden rush of fluid. Sometimes there are no symptoms and it is found on a scan.
A miscarriage cannot be stopped once it has started. Treatment depends on your symptoms and how many weeks pregnant you are, and your doctor will explain the options with you.
What tests are done
- An examination, and questions about your symptoms and past pregnancies
- An ultrasound scan, often an internal (transvaginal) scan in early pregnancy
- Blood tests, and sometimes a urine test
At Dhruva Hospitals
Our obstetric team provides prompt diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy with ultrasound in the hospital, and keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery when needed. The emergency team is available 24/7.
Common questions
Is spotting normal in early pregnancy?
Light spotting can happen, for example around the time a period would have been due. You cannot tell the cause yourself, so get checked the same day.
Can I get pregnant again after an ectopic pregnancy?
Most women can, even if a tube was removed. Doctors usually advise waiting until you have had at least two periods, or at least 3 months after methotrexate treatment. Tell your doctor early in your next pregnancy so an early scan can be done.
This article is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. In an emergency, call +91 90368 52311.