Spotting during pregnancy: causes

It's no secret that with the onset of pregnancy, women's periods stop. This is considered the norm. But some women experience slight spotting in the first weeks after pregnancy. What is it and how dangerous is it?

Spotting in early pregnancy

The fears of pregnant women about such discharge are not unfounded. Of course, you shouldn’t immediately assume the worst case scenario, but you shouldn’t relax and let everything take its course either.

The word “smudge” means a slight discharge that only stains the laundry. The appearance of discharge of this kind should be a reason to see a doctor. The pregnant woman will be examined, if necessary, sent for an ultrasound and blood test for hCG.

Using an ultrasound, it will be possible to assess the condition of the embryo and placenta, and determine a frozen or ectopic pregnancy. This will allow timely action to be taken and treatment to begin. The level of hCG in the blood of a pregnant woman should normally increase constantly in the first weeks. Therefore, based on the dynamics of the increase in hCG, we can draw a conclusion about the development of pregnancy.

Discharge color during pregnancy

A lot can be said by the color of the discharge. So, at the beginning of pregnancy, thick, odorless, white mucous discharge can be considered normal. Their appearance is caused by the influence of the hormone progesterone, which is responsible for retaining the fertilized egg inside the uterus. At this time, a mucus plug forms in the cervix, which prevents the embryo from leaving the body of the uterus.

The appearance of white discharge with a cheesy consistency and an unpleasant odor indicates the onset of candidiasis or thrush. This disease often worries pregnant women. To avoid candidiasis, it is necessary to take probiotics during pregnancy.

You should be wary if the discharge turns yellow. Sometimes the discharge is accompanied by burning, pain and itching. This may indicate the onset of inflammation or an incipient miscarriage.

If the discharge acquires a greenish tint, then most likely we are talking about serious deviations. The cause of such discharge may be a sexually transmitted disease.

The appearance of brown discharge may indicate the onset of a miscarriage or placental separation. In this case, you must definitely seek help.

Causes of spotting

After a comprehensive examination, the doctor will determine the cause of the spotting and prescribe treatment or recommend terminating the pregnancy.

Typically, the appearance of spotting is associated with the following factors:

• Miscarriage occurs when there is insufficient amount of progesterone in the body of a pregnant woman. In this case, the fertilized egg is perceived by the body as a foreign body that needs to be gotten rid of. A miscarriage begins, in which small spotting first appears. In this case, it is necessary to urgently begin treatment in a hospital while observing bed rest.
• Placental abruption can occur due to excessive exercise or emotional stress. It can be determined using ultrasound. To maintain pregnancy, urgent hospitalization is necessary.
• A frozen pregnancy is also accompanied by brown spots. This condition is determined by hCG analysis and ultrasound. Unfortunately, in this case it is impossible to save the child.
• Ectopic pregnancy characterized by the development of the fetus not in the uterine cavity, but in the tubes, ovary or cervix. The growth of the fetus injures the walls of the organ and brown discharge appears. If nothing is done, the fetus will rupture the organ and severe bleeding will begin, threatening the woman’s life.

As you can see, the appearance of spotting almost always means serious problems with the pregnancy. Therefore, it is best to immediately seek help at the first warning signs.