During pregnancy, your body goes through all kinds of different changes. Even if you’ve been pregnant before, you’ll likely experience things that are quite different from the last pregnancy you went through. Have you been noticing a bit of spotting lately? 

Spotting during pregnancy is actually quite common among many pregnant women. However, it could also be a sign of concern. Don’t want to panic. Contacting your doctor to find out what’s going on will help put your mind at ease.

Here’s what you need to know about spotting during pregnancy. 

The Stress of Spotting

If you’ve experienced a miscarriage before, you’re probably very stressed about the spotting that you’re experiencing. Most women assume they’re not going to have any bleeding during their pregnancy. After your last period until the postpartum period, bleeding isn’t something that’s expected. 

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Approximately 20 to 30 percent of pregnant women will experience some degree of bleeding during their nine months of pregnancy. Educating your self on the different reasons why spotting can occur can help you understand what’s going on with your body.

What is Spotting?

Spotting is considered to be very light bleeding. It can occur at many different levels. Most women who are spotting will find just a few spots of light bleeding on their underwear. It’s not enough to soak through. It may be all blood, or the blood could be mixed with cervical or vaginal fluid. If the flow of blood is so heavy that you require a pad, there is cause for concern. You should contact your doctor for more information on how to proceed.

What Causes Spotting?

Several situations during pregnancy could lead to spotting. It could happen for just a few hours, or it could continue for a few days at a time. 

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The most common reasons for spotting include:

•  Bleeding during implantation. The embryo attaching to the uterine lining will cause bleeding in many women.
•  Hormone changes during pregnancy
•  Having sex
•  After an internal exam done by your doctor or midwife
•  Cervical changes during labor
•  Infection

If you’re experiencing spotting, think if any of these things may be a circumstance that applies to you.

What Will Be Done for Spotting?

Many doctors will take a wait and see approach as long as your bleeding is mild, and you’re not experiencing any pain. They may ask you if you’ve had sex recently, had a physical exam, or did any vigorous activity. 

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Bedrest is a standard therapy for spotting. Many cases would typically resolve itself with a little bit of rest and relaxation. Your doctor may also request an ultrasound to see if the baby is ok. Checking to make sure you’re not having contractions is also a standard protocol.

It’s always a good idea to check in with your doctor if you’re spotting during pregnancy. Hearing what’s potentially going on from a professional is often all a woman needs to calm down and not stress about her condition. 

Remember, if spotting is accompanied by pain or contraction, call your doctor back immediately.