Our kids 

How long does your period go during pregnancy? Can menstruation go on during pregnancy, and how to understand your condition correctly. Painful periods during pregnancy

Motherhood is the most wonderful experience for a woman. One of the mandatory signs of an incipient pregnancy is the absence of menstruation. It is this circumstance that prompts a woman to run to do the test and start demanding strawberries in winter.

But we often hear other stories: "A friend was at a gynecological examination, and there they said that she was already 12 weeks pregnant, although her periods went on all the time as before." And there are many similar examples.

According to the authors of such stories, doctors agree that these phenomena are quite acceptable. But in the medical literature, such situations are more often associated with deviations or various pathologies. How to figure out if there can be periods during pregnancy, and in which case it will be an occasion to urgently seek medical advice.

Why do menstruation stop during pregnancy?

It is important to understand why menstruation stops during pregnancy, what is the connection. From a medical point of view, this interdependence is quite understandable, and the connecting link is progesterone. It is this female hormone that gives the signal to start or stop menstruation.

Its main task is to prepare the female body for bearing a child. Regularly from the moment of ovulation by the corpus luteum, increased production of progesterone begins in the ovaries.

Further development provides two options:

  • The fertilized egg enters the uterine cavity and attaches to the endometrium. Then the amount of progesterone will increase, and the embryo will continue to develop.
  • Fertilization has not occurred, the progesterone level will fall. As a result, the endometrium will collapse, and discharge with blood will begin.

    A clear algorithm is traced:

    • fertilization - an increase in the concentration of progesterone - the absence of menstruation;
    • unfertilized egg - a decrease in the concentration of progesterone - the beginning of menstruation.

In addition, the endometrium is the inner mucous membrane of the uterus, which performs a reproductive function and ensures the creation of optimal conditions for attachment (implantation) and further formation of the embryo. And menstruation, just, is a process of detachment of the endometrium and its exit through the genital tract to the outside.

Based on this logical pattern, doctors talk about the impossibility of the onset of menstruation if conception has occurred.

But there are exceptions to each rule. And numerous reviews of women testify to the opposite situation. According to statistics, every fifth woman turns to an antenatal clinic asking if menstruation is possible during early pregnancy.

Why do deviations from the norm occur?

Doctors, nevertheless, do not completely reject the possibility of passing menstruation during early pregnancy and name several reasons for this process:

  • individual characteristics of the female body;
  • disruptions in the hormonal system;
  • infectious and inflammatory diseases;
  • pathology of the development of pregnancy.

First of all, doctors attribute the onset of critical days even after conception to a discrepancy in time frames. Fertilization is possible up to the 17th day of the menstrual cycle, thus, with its traditional duration of 28 days, 11 remains until the onset of menstruation. And it sometimes takes up to two weeks to reach the fertilized egg in the uterine cavity.

It turns out that the situation is quite acceptable when fertilization has occurred, but the implantation process has not yet been completed. Therefore, since the necessary hormonal changes have not begun in the body, menstruation goes through the fetus according to the usual schedule, despite the already existing pregnancy.

Much in the matter of the menstrual cycle depends on the individual characteristics of the functioning of the ovaries. In this regard, the following circumstances are possible:

  1. The suppression of ovarian function is slowed down, and, with the onset of pregnancy, they continue to produce eggs, which are rejected with the endometrium.
  2. Eggs mature in both ovaries, and one of them is fertilized, and the other is rejected during menstruation.
  3. There is also a slightly different situation in which both eggs are fertilized, but over time one of the embryos may not take root. In this case, there will also be pregnancy and bleeding accompanying the release of the rejected embryo.

The named reasons do not pose any threats to the health of the woman or the fetus and, usually, bleeding does not occur in the second month.

Sometimes periods in the first month of pregnancy appear due to the presence of endocrine diseases in a woman, such as hyperandrogenism.

But not in all cases the environment is so safe:

  • Hormonal disorders in the body of women are considered very common, as a result of which a small amount of progesterone is produced during pregnancy. Such a low level of the hormone provokes the onset of menstruation. This can lead to detachment of the fruit egg.

    • The most dangerous situation is when the discharge goes through the fetus, which is not implanted in the uterus.

    This threatens to rupture the fallopian tube and, in most cases, requires surgical intervention

  • Another unfavorable cause of menstruation is a missed pregnancy.
  • In other cases, with the appearance of bloody discharge after conception, doctors are more likely to talk about the onset of various kinds of bleeding than about menstruation.

An absolutely normal process is blood discharge that occurs:

  • as a result of the introduction of the fruiting body into the endometrium;
  • at the stage of formation of the vascular network of the shell of the embryo.
  • with erosion of the cervix.

There are also "mechanical" causes of scanty bleeding, which are possible due to the fact that the walls of the vagina during pregnancy are easily injured:

  • during a gynecological examination;
  • rough intercourse;
  • douching.

Thus, periods can occur during early pregnancy, and this is quite common. It is very important to do the right thing in such a situation.

What to do

Many of the voiced reasons for the appearance of spotting during the first month of pregnancy pose a serious threat to a woman's health and, moreover, to the development of the fetus. It is imperative to respond to such processes as soon as possible.

Especially a woman should be alerted if, during menstruation, lower back pain appears and the abdomen pulls.

You should pay attention even to minor spotting, which can quickly turn into profuse bleeding.

First of all, you need to do a test and donate blood for hCG to confirm pregnancy, and seek medical advice. A blood test is the most reliable way to establish pregnancy.

Additionally, if necessary, an ultrasound scan, a gynecological examination of the uterus is prescribed. The doctor, after finding out the reason, may recommend hospitalization, bed rest, and determine the treatment.

At the beginning of menstruation due to low levels of progesterone and detachment of the fetal body, the drugs Duphaston and Utrozhestan are attributed. They regulate hormonal balance in the body. If the threat of miscarriage is serious, treatment with progesterone injections is intensified. Dicinon is prescribed as a hemostatic agent, and Actovegin, folic acid, vitamin E are prescribed to support the fetus.

At the same time, it is necessary to switch to a sparing regimen, which excludes physical activity, nervous feelings, stress, and the harmful effects of the environment. You need to pay attention to nutrition and rest and lie down as much as possible.

Timely action can save a pregnancy.

Is it normal to have your period during pregnancy? A woman expecting a baby is always alarmed by dirty discharge after 1 trimester. The onset of menstruation during pregnancy is possible only in the early stages..

What is menstruation

A new menstrual cycle begins when the follicles of the egg mature under the influence of follicle-stimulating hormone. This is a female reproductive cell with half the set of chromosomes, which is necessary for the development of the embryo. The body of a woman of childbearing age is ready for pregnancy. Are there any periods during pregnancy?

After maturation, the egg descends into the fallopian tubes, where the sperm awaits. If conception does not occur, the female reproductive cell is destroyed and dies within 24 hours. Menstruation begins. These are endometrial rejection and vaginal bleeding. Menstrual blood is formed from fragments of dead endometrium, mucus, blood. This happens monthly. The termination of menstruation is considered the main sign of pregnancy.

Implant bleeding

Why do menstruation go on during pregnancy? This is due to the peculiarities of fertilization.

After the fusion of the nuclei of the sperm and the egg, a fertilized egg with a full set of chromosomes moves through the fallopian tube of a woman of childbearing age.

On about day 4, the ovum enters the uterus. Only on the 7th day it is finally fixed in the mucous membrane of this hollow muscular organ.

A special embryonic tissue, the trophoblast, is formed around the egg cell. In the future, by the 12th week of pregnancy, the placenta is formed from it.

Often, 10-14 days after conception, a little blood flows through the cervix into the vagina.

In some cases, it only smears a little. Abundant menstruation during pregnancy occurs because at the time of implantation of the ovum, the small blood vessels of the uterine epithelium are sometimes slightly damaged.

Small fragments of the lining of the uterine wall may be rejected. Characterized by brown or brown vaginal discharge. Mild uterine spasms appear.

This usually occurs on the days when your period is expected to begin. Therefore, it is easy to confuse normal menstruation and implantation bleeding. Such periods in the early stages of pregnancy usually last several days, are scarce.

The fertilized egg does not have time to reach its destination and be implanted in the uterine lining. The hormonal background does not change yet if fertilization occurred in the middle of the menstrual cycle.

Pregnancy has begun, but the monthly cycle resumes during the first month. Such usual periods in the first month of pregnancy, associated with implantation of the ovum, are not dangerous, since they are natural, do not interfere with the normal course of pregnancy.

The exact age of the embryo will be determined by the gynecologist after confirmation of pregnancy. Most doctors consider periods in the first month of pregnancy to be the norm.

Causes of vaginal bleeding in the 1st half of pregnancy

A woman who decides to give birth to a child or is in an interesting position should know that in the 1st and 2nd trimester during pregnancy, menstruation can occur (bleeding):

  1. In some cases, the monthly cycle does not stop one month after the onset of pregnancy. A woman who carries a baby under her heart should be alerted to any bleeding after a pregnancy is determined by a gynecologist.
  2. Hormonal Disorders. Normal hormone levels are essential while waiting for a baby. An unsuccessful pregnancy can result in insufficient production of progesterone by the ovaries in the first trimester for a young woman. Uterine bleeding, sudden weight gain, bloating, breast swelling, prolonged pregnancy, a tendency to inadequate reactions are symptoms of a lack of progesterone during pregnancy. The problem of hormonal imbalance can be easily eliminated with the help of drug therapy.
  3. Cervical erosion. This is a fairly common problem. If the disease is neglected, the cervix of the pregnant woman may bleed as blood flow to the organ increases. With a defect in the integumentary epithelium, painless, slight bleeding occurs. From time to time, wounds and sores bleed on the eroded surface.
  4. Quite dangerous during pregnancy. There is a risk of harm to the fetus. Erosion can lead to the threat of spontaneous miscarriage. Pathology arises and is actively developing in a woman who is expecting a baby.
  5. The presence of certain harmless tumors directly in the uterus or its cervix can contribute to bleeding. Even a minimal pathology can develop into a dangerous disease. It is often impossible to find an effective and quick treatment, given the patient's expectation of a future baby, possible risks to the fetus, and the importance of therapy for the mother. Urgent treatment is required if the disease progresses. It is important to observe the dynamics of the development of pathology.
  6. Ectopic pregnancy. The development of a fertilized ovum occurs outside the uterine cavity. The high risk of pathology is associated with the fact that the membrane of the fallopian tube can rupture. Bloody smearing dark discharge can be observed from the first days. In this case, bearing the fetus is impossible. An ectopic pregnancy cannot result in a baby. Peritonitis develops rapidly, which is accompanied by intolerable pain. Infection occurs, since the ovum, mucus, blood enter the absolutely sterile abdominal cavity.
  7. Risk of miscarriage. Pregnancy does not end with childbirth in all cases. Vaginal bleeding is a sign of an impending miscarriage.
  8. It can be of a different nature. The saturation of the color of the blood is different. Bloody discharge quickly stops or lasts a long time. Sometimes the bleeding stops temporarily, but starts again after a while. With a spontaneous abortion, the discharge can be abundant or smearing. The gynecologist leading the pregnancy will determine the nature of this pathology. The chances of a successful timely delivery are high with an early start of treatment.
  9. Cancer neoplasms. If a woman already has a tumor in her body, pregnancy stimulates its progression. Cancer can be suspected if. Treatment should be prescribed immediately if the diagnosis is confirmed by the examination results, since there is a serious risk to the unborn child and his mother. An urgent need to consult a doctor if a neoplasm is detected.

Bleeding in the 2nd half of pregnancy

Any severe bleeding in the last trimester has serious causes:

  1. Bubble drift is a rare trophoblast pathology. After the embryo is conceived, many small vesicles are formed in the trophoblast tissues. The formation of the chorion, the precursor of the placenta, is impaired. Subsequently, the placental tissue cannot provide adequate respiration and nutrition for the unborn baby. The bubbles quickly spread, grow, and occupy the entire uterine cavity. At the beginning of pregnancy, severe toxicosis with vomiting is noted, dark red discharge appears. In the early stages of pregnancy, the embryo dies with this pathology. Usually, the treatment of bladder drift is performed surgically. The reason for an urgent visit to a doctor should be alarming signs of pathology.
  2. Placenta previa. Normally, as a result of migration, the placenta takes up a normal position, shifting upward as the uterus grows. 2-3% of women have placenta previa. This is a serious complication of pregnancy in which the internal pharynx is partially or completely blocked.
  3. Incorrect implantation of the embryo into the uterus and abnormal placement of the placenta in the lower uterus. This pathology is diagnosed during an ultrasound scan. An alarming symptom is bleeding from the genitals, which occurs as a result of repeated placental abruption, since as pregnancy progresses, the baby's place is not able to stretch. The volume of blood secreted increases rapidly. The fetus is threatened by hypoxia - insufficient oxygen supply.
  4. Rupture of the cervix. This is a formidable complication of pregnancy. An emergency is this serious condition of a pregnant woman. The integrity of the walls of the uterus of a pregnant woman is violated. The vaginal mucosa swells and is infringed. This pathology is much more common in primiparous. Such an injury often occurs when there is a scar on the wall of the genital organ and is accompanied by profuse bleeding. Only surgical treatment is indicated.
  5. ... The child's place is rejected from the walls of the uterus. Bleeding that begins with placental abruption is dangerous for the baby and mother. There is an acute shortage of oxygen, since the supply of vital substances to the baby immediately stops. The baby's heartbeat is disturbed. This is a common cause of stillbirth.
  6. Characterized by tension of the uterus, pallor of the skin. Clots are usually not seen. Highlights have a rich color. There are increased sweating, heart palpitations in a pregnant woman. Blood begins to accumulate behind the separated part. In the lower abdomen, in the lower back, pain and incessant contractions occur. The baby's activity is markedly reduced.
  7. The expectant mother experiences severe weakness or is often in a fainting state. To eliminate the danger to the life of the fetus and mother, you must immediately consult a doctor. The bleeding will stop when the necessary measures are taken. In severe cases, immediate delivery is performed. A woman can carry a child if the process does not progress.
  8. Hemorrhoids of pregnant women. During the carrying of a baby, this pathology is common. Bleeding and hemorrhoids occur due to the formation of venous stasis, increasing intra-abdominal pressure. The provoking factor is often a systemic restructuring of the body during pregnancy. However, this pathology spontaneously and without a trace disappears in most women after childbirth.

Opening the internal uterine pharynx is extremely dangerous.

A ring of muscles is located around the internal pharynx. Throughout pregnancy, a mucous plug closes the entrance to the vaginal part of the genital organ.

This protects the unborn baby from the penetration of infection from the outside into the external uterine pharynx.

Normally, before the onset of labor pains, the lower part of the uterus must certainly be closed. However, in some cases, after active physical exercise, very violent sex, the vessels of the cavity are damaged. Early expansion of the uterine pharynx occurs.

This leads to not very profuse bleeding, which most often stops without complications after 3-6 hours. However, sometimes there is a serious risk of a possible miscarriage.

Pregnancy is a period of a woman's life when the body must rebuild itself to a different lifestyle. The physiology and psychology of women is changing, hormones are redistributed, and the body needs to get used to the new "format" of work. Any changes that occur during pregnancy are studied by specialists. The task for the expectant mother, especially during the first pregnancy, is that all changes in the body must be observed and controlled. But, such control should be carried out by a doctor, and not by girlfriends and the Internet.

Starting from a young age, from 13-14 years old, every girl begins her period. This process indicates the girl's puberty. At the end of each cycle, the endometrium prepares to receive an egg that has already been fertilized. When this does not happen, the endometrial cells begin to collapse, which entails the destruction of the inner layer of the vessels of the uterus, which lead to the onset of secretions, in other words, monthly. In addition, the egg that has not fertilized is also subject to destruction and excreted from the body in the same way.

During pregnancy, this process does not occur, since the endometrium still receives a fertilized egg. Completely different hormonal changes begin in the body.

Menstruation during early pregnancy

However, many women face a problem when their periods start early in pregnancy. In some cases, this process does not pose a particular danger, but more often it is a sign of immediate medical attention.

What are the normal periods during early pregnancy?

Sometimes periods early in pregnancy are not abnormal. This happens only in certain cases, among which:

  • fertilization of one egg from several (in this case, one egg is taken by the endometrium), and the rest come out as during normal menstruation, but with scant secretions;
  • implantation of an already fertilized egg by medical means (in this case, the natural process of menstruation is inevitable, since the body cannot immediately accept hormonal changes in the body);
  • fertilization of the ovum immediately before the menstruation itself or during them (yes, this also happens);
  • some hormonal changes (sometimes, under the influence of medications in a woman's body, the balance of the necessary hormones does not occur, which allow stopping menstruation in time).

Only in the above cases, menstruation during early pregnancy are a sign of the norm. They can be both scanty and abundant, last from several hours to several days, but only once in the entire pregnancy - only in the first month. If the menstruation continues for the second time / month, then this is already an alarm signal that requires immediate medical attention.

Are there periods in early pregnancy?

If you score this question in the Yandex search engine, then it will give 3 million results, 450 per month. This means that every month about fifty girls are looking for an answer to this question. A healthy woman (or man) who has not faced such a problem is unlikely to think of looking for an answer to such a question. This means that these 450 girls know that they are pregnant, but noticed they have discharge, which is mistaken for menstruation.

All girls, women, and even their husbands need to understand that a meager period of early pregnancy is a deviation from the norm of the correct development of the unborn baby. And the doctor should be informed about such secretions.

There are periods in early pregnancy in several cases:

  • risk of miscarriage;
  • miscarriage;
  • ectopic pregnancy.

In the last two cases, it will not be possible to preserve the pregnancy. But with the threat of miscarriage, there is a huge chance to endure and give birth to a healthy child.
When a miscarriage is threatened, as a rule, a woman observes a dark discharge, which is not quite similar to normal menstruation. They most often resemble a daub, which can sometimes be accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen. This means that the uterus is toned, tensed, and is trying with all its might to reject the new body within itself. With a timely visit to a doctor, this process can be stopped in short lines.

Medicine is developing quite quickly, and the number of drugs that regulate the correct balance of hormones in a woman's body is also quite large. Based on the examination of a woman who has a threat of miscarriage, the doctor will select the most appropriate drug for each patient.

It is very dangerous when a girl herself is looking for an answer to the question of whether her periods are in early pregnancy. Since most of the fairer sex are looking for answers on the Internet, the likelihood of stumbling upon information that menstruation in the first trimester is the norm is very high. As a rule, a woman hears and perceives only what she wants to hear. It is sometimes very difficult to prove to her that discharge during pregnancy is not, and cannot be the norm. That is why the girl hesitates to see a specialist, and then blames anyone, but not herself, for the death of the embryo.

How to protect yourself from periods during pregnancy?

In order for the pregnancy to proceed without complications, the body must be prepared for this.

  • You should give up bad habits, get used to healthy food.
  • Try to protect yourself from stress and anxiety as much as possible.
    Of course, this is not a panacea. The body can persistently refuse to accept a foreign body in itself.
  • In order to help him cope with such a task, medication may be needed. Such drugs as Dufaston and Utrozhestan do an excellent job with the manifestations of "resistance" of the body, will help the ovum firmly attach in the uterine cavity and begin to develop.

Unfortunately, with a frozen and ectopic pregnancy, no pills will help anymore. The main thing in such cases is not to delay the visit to the doctor. Only a specialist can assess the situation, only after examining the woman. Timely assistance provided for an ectopic and frozen pregnancy can be the main reason for a future successful pregnancy.

For a healthy woman of childbearing age, the termination of menstruation is a sign of pregnancy. This happens in most cases, but there are exceptions to this rule. There are situations when a woman is unaware of pregnancy for 3-4 months, because her period continues. Only a doctor will be able to assess the danger of such an anomaly.

Why menstruation doesn't go during pregnancy

From a physiological point of view, menstruation during pregnancy is impossible. To do this, you need to remember why menstruation occurs. The uterus consists of three layers that differ anatomically and functionally:

  1. Outside is slimy.
  2. Medium - myometrium (or muscle). Protects the unborn child from external influences, actively participates in the process of childbirth. Thanks to the contractile activity of the muscular layer of the uterus, the child passes through the woman's birth canal.
  3. Internal - endometrium. This layer is most susceptible to change. In the first half of the cycle, it thickens, preparing the uterus for a possible pregnancy. Its task is to preserve the fertilized egg until the placenta forms. If conception does not occur, the endometrium is completely rejected, destroying the blood vessels. This is your period. With the beginning of a new cycle, the process of growth of endometrial tissue is repeated.

Can menstruation go on during pregnancy?

When menstruation occurs after conception, it is clear that the endometrium is rejected with all its contents, including with a fertilized egg, that is, a miscarriage occurs. It is more correct to talk about the occurrence of bleeding, and this is an alarming signal. The attending physician will be able to draw a conclusion about the danger to the mother and the child, because menstruation during pregnancy is a deviation from the physiological norm.

In the early stages

Discharge, which women perceive as menstruation at the beginning of pregnancy, is not. There are several reasons for this condition. Some do not pose any danger, others are a real threat to mother and child. The reasons for the appearance of spotting are as follows:

  • The fertilized egg did not enter the uterus and did not attach to the endometrium (it can stay in the fallopian tube for 1–2 weeks). Until the moment of implantation of the ovum, the woman's body “does not understand” that pregnancy has begun, and releases another egg. It also comes out together with the inner mucous membrane. This is the only case when menstruation occurs during early pregnancy. After the embryo is attached, menstruation will stop, but in the described case, the delay will come in a month.
  • At the same time, two eggs matured, fertilization occurred only with one, the other in this case comes out together with the inner lining of the uterus. This is another case when pregnancy and menstruation occur at the same time.

The situations described do not pose a danger to a woman. It is normal to have scanty periods during early pregnancy (in the first month). Doctors call this phenomenon "washing of the fetus." Small blood clots of red, brown, pink color are formed as a result of the formation of new blood vessels surrounding the anchored fetus. The vascular mesh near the embryo is fragile and easily damaged, therefore, its particles peel off.

In the second and third trimester

The release of blood at a later stage of bearing a child (in the second, third trimester) is a serious reason for contacting a specialist. Such reactions are not the norm and may indicate pathological processes. In the presence of abundant red or brown discharge, painful sensations, you need to seek medical help immediately, it is advisable to call an ambulance.

Why are periods during pregnancy

If you experience pain, heaviness in the lower or lateral part of the abdomen, bleeding (especially strong) at any time, you need to consult a doctor. These unpleasant symptoms may indicate serious pathologies, because physiologically there cannot be menstruation during pregnancy. They are called by:

  • ectopic pregnancy;
  • detachment of the placenta;
  • hormonal disorders;
  • internal mechanical damage (for example, during intercourse);
  • infectious diseases;
  • inflammatory processes;
  • risk of miscarriage;
  • pathological conditions of the fetus;
  • premature birth.

Normal intrauterine development of the fetus depends on hormonal levels. With an insufficient amount of progesterone (the main hormone of pregnancy), the endometrium begins to contract, which leads to miscarriage, its walls remain thin and the embryo cannot gain a foothold in the uterus. An excess of male hormones is another reason for the detachment of the ovum and the occurrence of bleeding. To stabilize the woman's condition, hospitalization and hormonal therapy are prescribed.

The threat of miscarriage arises not only against the background of hormonal disorders, but also for physiological reasons. Among them are endometriosis (excessive proliferation of the inner mucous membrane), myoma (benign tumor of the uterus). These diseases interfere with the normal attachment of the embryo, it lacks nutrition and is rejected by the mother's body.

Bleeding while carrying a baby causes premature placental abruption. This can happen at any time. The condition poses a threat to the life of the mother due to bleeding and to the fetus, because the supply of oxygen and nutrients to it stops. The complication has varying degrees of severity, but requires immediate hospitalization of the woman and special therapeutic measures. With complete detachment of the placenta, fetal death is inevitable.

An ectopic pregnancy is a dangerous condition in which a fertilized egg develops in the fallopian tube. As the fetus grows, it stretches and the risk of rupture increases. Violation of the integrity of the pipe causes internal bleeding. In this case, the woman needs urgent hospitalization. Symptoms of a pathological condition are:

  • pains in the lower abdomen, which intensify as the fetus grows, they are especially pronounced when walking, running, changes in body position;
  • dark spotting (resembling menstruation in appearance and character);
  • low concentration of hCG.

The gynecologist determines the position of the fetus in the fallopian tube using ultrasound and performs laparoscopy (surgery using an endoscope) or abdominal surgery to remove it. At the first suspicion of an ectopic pregnancy, you should consult a doctor. An urgent operation is performed to avoid rupture of the tube and prevent bleeding.

Bleeding in pregnant women may be associated with fetal abnormalities caused by genetic disorders. An unviable embryo stops developing and is rejected. A similar phenomenon can occur during multiple pregnancies, when one embryo develops normally, and the mother's body tries to get rid of the second. This happens for various reasons - poor implantation, pathological developmental disorders.

How to tell your period from bleeding

Only in the first month after conception there may be spotting, but they differ in color and intensity from normal menstruation. The danger arises when the pregnancy is desired, but the woman does not yet know about it. In this case, you need to know the distinctive features of ordinary menstruation from bleeding during pregnancy:

Any bleeding is deadly, and if it occurs during pregnancy, the life of the unborn child is at risk. In some cases, doctors have to sacrifice a fetus to save a woman. If you suspect bleeding, it is categorically impossible to take painkillers and hemostatic drugs on your own. The doctor will conduct an examination, determine the cause of the bleeding and the degree of danger. It is important to remember what caused the worsening of the condition. Blood discharge during the period of bearing a child can be provoked by the following factors:

  • excessive physical activity;
  • overwork;
  • stress;
  • lifting and carrying weights;
  • long drive;
  • overheating;
  • taking certain medications;
  • smoking, drinking a lot of alcoholic beverages.

Symptoms of pregnancy with periods

The reaction of a woman's body to the onset of pregnancy is individual. In some, its symptoms appear as early as the first month, while others have no signs at the initial stage. It all depends on hormonal changes. The ovum after ovulation is ready for fertilization in 12-24 hours. The first symptoms of pregnancy will begin to appear no earlier than 7-10 days, when the embryo has attached to the endometrium. At this time, he begins to secrete the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin).

With a successful conception, the nature of menstruation will change or they will not come at all. In the first case, you need to focus on other signs:

  • during the entire luteal phase, the basal temperature (the lowest temperature of a person during rest, for example, during sleep) remains high;
  • morning sickness;
  • dizziness;
  • breast enlargement, it becomes lumpy, veins are visible, the nipples darken and increase in size;
  • frequent urge to urinate;
  • increased secretion of cervical mucus;
  • drowsiness;
  • implantation bleeding (may be 8-10 days after ovulation, the discharge is not as bright as during menstruation);
  • constipation;
  • change in taste preferences;
  • acute reaction to odors;
  • frequent mood swings;
  • weight gain.

To exclude the diagnosis of "placental detachment", other pathologies when even a slight discharge of blood appears, it is better to consult a doctor. With profuse bleeding in pregnant women, it is necessary to establish the cause of the anomaly. With its timely detection, doctors conduct intensive therapy in order to save the woman and her unborn child.

Video

Some girls regularly use special tests to find out if they are pregnant, while others determine a successful conception by a delay in menstruation. However, medical practice shows: many patients are registered only in the third or fourth month, and all due to the fact that they had menstruation during pregnancy. When this happens, the fair sex has no idea about her position. There are many such cases, so read the information in what situations this is possible.

Can menstruation go on during pregnancy?

It should be noted right away that menstruation during pregnancy is impossible for physiological reasons. Understanding the process of conception will help to understand this. From school, girls know that menstruation is a consequence of the detachment of an unfertilized egg: every month the female reproductive system produces a new cell. If pregnancy does not occur during the ovulation period, the endometrium (the tissue of the walls of the uterus) begins to contract, pushing out the egg, in order to eventually make room for a new one. Blood discharge appears, along with which it exfoliates.

If a girl becomes pregnant, then the physiological processes inside the uterus occur differently: so that the endometrium stops contracting and does not push out the fertilized egg, the ovaries release a special hormone progesterone. Thanks to its action, the tissue lining the uterus grows, becomes thicker, and then the fetus can gain a foothold inside the organ. In addition, progesterone protects the embryo from endometrial contractions, which, if the hormonal balance is incorrect, can cause miscarriage. Menstruation does not occur during the onset of pregnancy.

In the early stages

For those who still doubt whether there can be menstruation, if fertilization is confirmed, doctors give an unequivocal answer - no, although many women have discharge in the early stages, reminiscent of menstruation. There are several possible reasons for this condition - some of them are not dangerous for the state of the body of the expectant mother and baby, while others can greatly affect the health of both. Therefore, at the first sign of menstruation during pregnancy, it is advisable to go to a professional for an examination. Why red discharge may begin:

  • The egg has not reached the implantation site. Until the fetus has taken root in the womb (from a week to two), the body still "does not understand" that pregnancy has begun. Then he secretes another egg, which can later come out along with the clots of the endometrium. This is the only case of simultaneous pregnancy and full menstruation. After the embryo is implanted, the menstrual cycle should stop. The delay will come only a month after the formation of the embryo. In this rare case, there is no threat to the mother's position.
  • Simultaneous production of two eggs at once. Occasionally, menstruation can occur during pregnancy if two cells ripen in the ovaries at once. During intercourse, one can be fertilized, while the other is excreted with the blood in the form of menstruation. To check if conception has happened, a girl needs to know if a pregnancy test can be done during her period. Doctors say that menstruation does not affect the credibility of the results.

The reasons described above are not dangerous for the physical condition of the fair sex, who has begun pregnancy. However, in the presence of such unpleasant symptoms as pain in the lower abdomen, in the side of the abdomen, heaviness, profuse bleeding, you should definitely consult a doctor. The cause of such conditions can be serious hormonal disorders, the threat of miscarriage, infectious diseases, internal injuries, ectopic pregnancy. Small spotting in the first month is considered normal - ablution of the fetus, as doctors call it.

In the second and third trimester

If something appears that resembles menstruation during late pregnancy (second, third trimester), a woman should definitely go to an appointment with a specialist. At this time, discharge is not considered the norm and can serve as alarm bells for serious pathologies in the body. Inflammatory processes, placental abruption, premature birth can serve as a strong waste of red or brown blood. , miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy. If painful sensations are present, you cannot postpone the trip to the doctor, but it is advisable to call an ambulance.

Causes of bleeding

A safe cause of bleeding in the early stages of pregnancy is a condition called fetal washing. This bleeding is a small red, brownish, or pale pink smearing clot that appears as new vessels form around the anchored fetus. The vascular mesh is thin next to the embryo, easily damaged, therefore, its particles often flake off. Other pathologies pose a threat to the mother's health, which will be described in more detail below.

Washing the fetus, the symptoms of which are unknown to a wide range of expectant mothers, is another risk area. In the event of bloody discharge, it is necessary to remove a possible diagnosis, since washing can serve as a warning about placental exfoliation, and this is already a serious problem, sometimes leading to a disastrous result. There is no need to panic, but it is important to get advice in any case of a discharge similar to menstruation.

Hormonal imbalance

Hormones help regulate the process of carrying a baby, so it is imperative that a girl's hormones are in order. If the body does not produce enough progesterone, the endometrium can contract, which can trigger a miscarriage. The walls of the tissue lining the inner surface of the uterus will not be thick enough to securely anchor the embryo. The second reason for hormonal bleeding is an excess of male hormones, which can provoke detachment of the ovum.

There is a solution to this problem: in order to establish the process of fetal development, a specialist prescribes drugs that regulate the production of necessary hormones or replace them. If a woman has a lack of progesterone in her body, the doctor may prescribe special pills or injections. If the level of this hormone is low, emergency hospitalization with bed rest is indicated.

Risk of miscarriage

The threat of miscarriage arises both due to hormonal disorders and for physiological reasons. At the initial stage of pregnancy, fetal rejection can cause endometriosis, the presence of fibroids, hyperandrogenism (an excess of male hormones). The threat of miscarriage is real if the embryo is not too well anchored in the endometrium. Then there is no normal oxygen supply to the fetus, which leads to its death and rejection by the body.

Ectopic pregnancy

To reduce the health risk, a woman needs to see a doctor at the first symptoms that indicate an ectopic fetus. If a specialist suspects a pathology, an ultrasound examination will be needed. It will show where the embryo is. If the fears are confirmed, the doctor will prescribe an urgent operation to remove the fetus. This is done using laparoscopy, an operation that does not require cutting the tissue. The intervention is performed with a camera through small openings in the abdominal cavity.

Ectopic pregnancy is a life-threatening condition for the woman and the fetus. With this pathology, the fertilized egg is not fixed in the uterus, as needed, but is implanted in the fallopian tube. There the embryo begins to grow and develop. When the fetus grows larger, the walls of the tube stretch, which can cause it to rupture. There will be profuse internal bleeding, in which the woman needs urgent hospitalization. An ectopic pregnancy is accompanied by the following symptoms:

  • pain in the lower abdomen, aggravated with the growth of the fetus (especially felt when changing body position, walking, running);
  • bloody discharge that resembles menstruation;
  • low hCG levels.

How to tell your period from bleeding

The onset of menstruation during pregnancy must be clearly recognized. Menstruation is different from bleeding caused by hormonal or other abnormalities during pregnancy. At first, the discharge takes on a smearing look, they are not too abundant, scanty. A girl can determine pregnancy through periods that differ from the usual. This is possible even if the test is negative.

When to see a doctor immediately

You should definitely go to the doctor if the bleeding began late in the gestation period. Abundant bleeding is a bad sign, when it appears, you need to immediately go to the hospital. This condition can be a threat to the life of not only the unborn child, but also the pregnant woman. If blood loss is accompanied by the appearance of clots, pain - spasms, acute pain - you should call an ambulance without waiting for the next day to visit the hospital.

When you shouldn't sound the alarm

If the test showed a positive result, and your period came on schedule in the month of conception, do not worry in vain. This may be due to the fact that the fetus has not yet established itself in the uterus, and the body rejects another egg. Also, don't worry if recurring discharge is a pale pink tint. Small, scanty, spotting bleeding is the washing of the fetus. However, if this happens on an ongoing basis, the discharge is frequent, just in case it is worth being examined by a doctor to check the child's condition and hormonal levels.

Video: about menstruation during pregnancy

Many girls wonder if their periods go on during pregnancy. Knowledge of how the processes of completion of menstruation and the beginning of fetal development occur will be useful to the fair sex planning a child. This will help you distinguish between regular monthly bleeding and bleeding that occurs when you become pregnant. In order for the girl to figure it out, a special video was created with a detailed explanation. Watch a useful video about the causes of bleeding that occur in the first or last months of bearing a baby: