South Tyneside Foundation
Hospital NHS Trust
Pain and
Bleeding in
Early
Pregnancy
South Tyneside NHS
Foundation Trust,
Harton Lane,
South Shields,
Information for patients
Tyne and Wear
NE34 0PL.
Tel 0191 404 1000 (Main
Switchboard)
Ext 1003 Ward 3
South Tyneside Foundation
NHS Trust
South Tyneside Foundation NHS Trust
Telephone
0191404 1000
Pain & Bleeding in Early
Pregnancy
We understand your concerns about having pain and/or
bleeding in early pregnancy. We hope this information
sheet will provide some information and reassurance to you
and your partner. It also informs you what you should do
next.
Bleeding and pain in early pregnancy is always worrying,
but it is also surprisingly common. About 15 to 25 per cent
of women experience bleeding early on in their pregnancy.
There can be several possible reasons for it.
Implantation bleeding
In early pregnancy, you might get some light bleeding,
called 'spotting', when the pregnancy plants itself into the
wall of your womb. This is also known as implantation
bleeding, and often happens around the time that your first
period after conception would have been due.
Infections
Spotting may also be a result of conditions which are not
pregnancy related. A vaginal infection, such as a yeast
infection or bacterial vaginosis or even a sexually transmitted infection can cause your cervix to become irritated or
inflamed. An inflamed cervix is particularly susceptible to
spotting after sex .
Miscarriage or Ectopic Pregnancy
During the first three months of pregnancy, vaginal bleeding can be a sign of miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy
(when the pregnancy starts to grow inside your fallopian
tubes instead of your womb). Ectopic pregnancy usually
presents with pain and bleeding, occasionally dizziness
and /or shoulder tip pain.
Most miscarriages occur during the first twelve weeks of
pregnancy, and sadly, most cannot be prevented. Ectopic
pregnancies are much less common than miscarriages,
and only affect approximately 1 in 100 pregnancies. Rarely,
the symptoms could result from a molar pregnancy where
the placenta is abnormal.
Occasionally no obvious cause of the bleeding may be
found.
What tests will I have?
When do I need to contact the hospital ?
A urine sample may be requested to confirm a positive
pregnancy test, and screen for urine infection which may
be the cause of the pain.
If you feel unwell, dizzy or experience severe pain or
bleeding, you should seek medical attention immediately.
You may also have blood test(s) to check your blood
group and/or measure pregnancy hormone levels (hcg).
A list of contacts is at the end of this information sheet.
A swab test for infections including chlamydia may also
be offered.
Vaginal examination (A vaginal examination will not
cause you to miscarry.)
Ultrasound scan so that images of your uterus can be
seen. Often it will be necessary to insert a small ultrasound probe into your vagina for better images. It may
not always be possible to arrange a scan the same day,
we may admit you to the ward or if appropriate review
you in the ward 3 by open access (by directly contacting
the ward).
After your assessments and investigations, you will
wait to be seen by a doctor to explain the findings and
offer you appropriate management.
Contacts
• Ward 3 Ext 1003
● NHS Direct on 0845 4647
● NHS Direct online www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
After the tests?
The tests might show one of the following:
A P P O I N T M E N T:
•
your pregnancy is developing normally and there
is no sign of any problem at this stage.
Location:
•
you have had, or you are in the process of having, a miscarriage.
Date:
•
your pregnancy could not be found. This means
that your blood test showed a high level of pregnancy hormone (hCG) but the ultrasound could
not find a pregnancy. This could mean that you
are pregnant but the pregnancy is still too small
to be seen. It might also mean that you have already miscarried or that you are at risk of an ectopic pregnancy. This is a dangerous condition
and you will be monitored very closely over the
next few days.
•
A pregnancy sac was found in your uterus but it
is not yet clear if there is an embryo in the sac.
Again, this might be because it is too early in the
pregnancy and the embryo is just too small to be
seen.
If the tests were inconclusive you will need to be tested
again within the next few days.
Time:
Further Information can be found on the following web
sites:
http://wwwmiscarriageassociation.org.uk
http://wwwwomenshealth.co.uk
References : RCOG patient information leaflet.