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Bleeding during pregnancy

6-minute read

Contact your doctor or midwife if you notice bleeding from your vagina at any time during your pregnancy. If you have very heavy bleeding, strong pain or feel very unwell, call triple zero (000) immediately and ask for an ambulance.

Is it normal to bleed during pregnancy?

Bleeding during pregnancy, especially in the early stages, is quite common. About 1 in 4 women will experience vaginal spotting or bleeding during the first trimester. Many of these women will go on to have healthy pregnancies.

However, vaginal bleeding may be the first sign of a problem, so it’s important to contact your doctor or midwife if you experience vaginal bleeding at any stage of your pregnancy for advice on what to do next.

What are the causes of bleeding during pregnancy?

The causes of bleeding during pregnancy are generally divided into two categories — bleeding before 20 weeks and bleeding after 20 weeks gestation.

Before 20 weeks gestation, causes of bleeding may include:

Bleeding in later pregnancy (after 20 weeks) is usually caused by problems with the placenta such as:

Less common causes of bleeding, which may happen at any stage of pregnancy, may include:

What should I do if I bleed during pregnancy?

If you bleed during pregnancy, contact your doctor or midwife. Your antenatal care provider can give you advice about what to do next.

It can be helpful to note down details about what you have been experiencing. This may include:

If you are having heavy bleeding, it’s a good idea to keep your pads or stained clothes to show your doctor or midwife.

How will my doctor or midwife diagnose the cause of my bleeding?

Your doctor or midwife will ask you questions about the bleeding, any other symptoms you have been having and about your pregnancy and general health. Your doctor or midwife may also perform a vaginal examination to check the bleeding and look for any visible cause.

You may be referred for a blood test to check your human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) level. hCG is a hormone made by the placenta that can be found in your blood and urine. Your hCG level can give your doctor important information about how your pregnancy is progressing.

You may also be referred for an ultrasound scan, which may be used to:

It may take some time to work out what is causing your bleeding. You may need to have several blood tests or ultrasound scans over a few days or weeks. This can be a stressful time, so consider seeking support from your partner or someone else you trust.

In some situations, your bleeding may resolve on its own without your doctor or midwife finding a cause.

When should I seek medical attention?

If you have bleeding at any stage of pregnancy, contact your doctor or midwife for advice and support.

You should contact your doctor urgently, or visit the nearest emergency department, if:

If you have very heavy bleeding, strong pain or feel very unwell, call triple zero (000) immediately and ask for an ambulance.

Does bleeding mean I am having a miscarriage or might lose my baby?

Bleeding in early pregnancy is very common and does not necessarily mean you are having a miscarriage. Many women who experience bleeding in early pregnancy go on to have healthy babies.

In some cases, bleeding can be the first sign of a miscarriage. If you are experiencing bleeding in early pregnancy, contact your doctor or midwife for advice.

Speak to a maternal child health nurse

Call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436 or video call. Available 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week.

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Need further advice or guidance from our maternal child health nurses?

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