Spotting during pregnancy, although scary, is a common occurrence in the earlier stages of pregnancy. It is a light bleeding very similar to that of the menstrual bleeding.

This may be seen in any of the pregnancy phases however, it is more common in the first trimester of pregnancy. Usually the colour of the blood is red, brown or pink in colour.

The first thing that comes to mind after seeing some spotting is the fear of miscarriage. However, spotting is just one of the symptoms of miscarriage and hence without proper check up, nothing can be said.

 

Spotting during pregnancy is generally seen in the first three months of pregnancy due to hormonal actions. While the body adjusts to the increasing hormone levels during pregnancy, spotting takes place and it happens sometimes around the menstrual due dates.

Hence many women take it as of their regular periods and don’t even realize that they are pregnant!

Normally spotting is seen in the middle of the regular cycle or some ten to fourteen days before the start of the next cycle. When it occurs during the ovulation, it is considered as a good fertility sign.

Spotting takes place as the egg bursts through the follicle and as the estrogen level increases during ovulation. This spotting is termed as implantation bleeding. Spots are also seen during sex or the intercourse.

This is due to the blood flowing to the cervix during pregnancy. Therefore, it is often recommended to refrain from sex during pregnancy.

You may also find spots combined with abdominal pain and cramps, this may be a serious condition in pregnancy. It could be either a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy.

In both the cases, it is urgent to bring the situations to the notice of your doctor. Ectopic conditions can be sometimes life threatening!

Spotting during pregnancy can also be a symptom of placental abruption or premature labour. This is usually seen in the second and third trimesters.

There could be other complications as well, especially if the bleeding is heavy. So it better to consult your health care provider as soon as you find it.

You may also find spots while your due date is nearing. This could be a mucus discharge with blood. This condition usually pops up in the thirty-seventh week of pregnancy and is not much of a concern. It just indicates that the cervix has softened in its preparation for the delivery.

Spotting during pregnancy can also occur due to non-pregnancy related reasons. Vaginal infections and sexually transmitted infections can cause irritations to the cervix and make it inflammable.

This may result in spotting. However, in vaginal infections like bacterial or yeast infection, the discharged spots would be yellowish in colour with blood traces and accompanied with a bad odour.

These spots are also characterized with pain with urination or intercourse, itching and burning. Caused due to the action of yeast and microorganisms, these infections need to be treated properly as they may be contracted by the baby as well.

Spotting due to sexually transmitted infections may be yellow or green and frothy with an unpleasant odour. Other symptoms include red, irritated and itchy vagina.

Treating such kind of infections is important and they add complications to the baby. The child may be born below the average weight and may also show certain disorders.

Besides the above mentioned cases, there are also rare cases where the reason for the spots remained hidden. Then also, pregnant women have enjoyed their full term pregnancy and have delivered healthy babies!

In order to overcome spotting during pregnancy, it is important to stay away from infections. This could be done by keeping the genital areas clean and dry.

You can also avoid tight and nylon pants and may go for cotton undergarments. Use of scented pads or toilet papers is also hazardous, hence must be avoided.

Douching during pregnancy must be discouraged and again, refraining from sex during this time is also necessary so as to check the spotting.

In case of missed or incomplete abortions, pregnant women are required to be admitted in the hospital so as to remove the remaining tissues of the foetus, if any.

This is important to prevent further complications and infections. If there is a case of uterus rupture, then there is an urgent need for the caesarean section delivery.

With all the facts and information in hand, spotting during pregnancy is usually harmless and goes without any complications.

However, if you have any slightest doubt regarding this, then contact your doctor as early as possible. At least, you can be assured of your pregnancy, if everything is fine!

More Resources:

1. Bleeding and Spotting During Pregnancy

2. Spotting During Pregnancy – American Pregnancy Association

Pregnancy abbreviations and acronyms are commonly used on websites, Mom forums, Facebook, Twitter, and personal blogs.

If you have ever wanted to know what some of these terms stand for, or their meaning, then check out our dictionary for people having a baby.

Pregnancy abbreviations

AF – Aunt flow, menstrual cycle

AFP – Alphafetoprotein test

BB – Boobies or breasts

BBT – Basal Body Temperature

BD – Baby Dance (intercourse for the purpose of having a baby)

BF – Breast feeding or Boyfriend

BFN – Big fat negative

BFP – Big fat positive

BIL – Brother-in-Law

BP – Blood pressure or birth plan

BPM – Beats per minute

CD – Cycle Day

CM – Cervical Mucus

CP – Cervical Position

DD – Due Date or Dear Daughter

DH – Dear Husband, or sometimes not so dear

DPO – Days past ovulation

DS – Dear Son

DSS – Dear Stepson

DSD – Dear Stepdaughter

DW – Dear Wife

EDD or EDC – Expected Due date or Estimated Date of Confinement

EPT – Early Pregnancy Test

EWCM – Egg white cervical mucus

FIL – Father-in-law

F/U – Follow Up

FMU – First Morning Urine

GIFT – Gamete intra-fallopian transfer

HPT – Home pregnancy test

ICSI – Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection

IUI – Intra-uterine insemination

IVF – In vitro fertilization

LMP – Last menstrual period

LP – Luteal Phase

LPD – Luteal phase defect

M/C – Miscarriage

MIL – Mother-in-law

MS – Morning sickness

MW – Midwife

NP – Nurse Practitioner

O – Ovulation

OB/GYN – Obstetrician/Gynecologist

OPK – Ovulation prediction kit

PG – Pregnant

RE – Reproductive endocrinologist

RPS – Real pregnancy signs

RRL – Red raspberry leaf

SAHM – Stay at home mom

SIL – Sister-in-law

TMI – Too much information

TTC – Trying to conceive

U/S – ultrasound

UTI – Urinary Tract Infection

VAVD – Vacuum-Assisted Vaginal Delivery

VB – Vaginal Birth

VBAC – Vaginal birth after cesarean (c-section)

WAHM – Work at home mom

Here is my honest tips on how to be comfortable sleeping during pregnancy; Comfortable Sleeping Positions during Pregnancy

There are several things an expecting woman has to be considerate about;

• Nutritious food,
• Nutritional supplements,
• Daily activities, and most importantly
• Adequate sleep

A major concern of most women during pregnancy would be their sleeping position. As the foetus starts to grow in size and weight, it might become very difficult for the mother to find a comfortable position to sleep.

It can be really hard for expecting mothers, who sleep on their backs or their stomachs to get proper sleep.

 

Sleeping on the back or the stomach is not advised by experts or the gynaecologist; it does a lot of harm for the baby and the mother – shortness of breath for example.

This makes it very uncomfortable for the mother to get sufficient amount of rest.

Thus, it is advisable to sleep in a position highly recommended by doctors.

Using Pillows

For an expectant mother, sleep is of high importance for the baby and her. Getting sufficient amount of sleep is very important for healthy pregnancy.

In order to make sure that the mother gets adequate sleep, it is advised to use as many pillows as they want. At some point in time the expectant mother would experience difficulties in breathing, hindering their sleep.

Using sufficient number of pillows can help them sleep peacefully.

The Side Sleeping Position

Gynaecologists request expectant mothers to sleep on their side, preferably on their left. If one were to sleep on their back, the weight of the baby would be too much for the spine, the intestines and also the inferior vena cava to manage.

This could only worsen the mother’s health condition and in certain cases may also lead to backaches and haemorrhoids.

Maternity Pillow

Although, the side position is recommended by many doctors, many women usually find it difficult to maintain the same.

On normal days, some women might have accustomed themselves while changing sleep positions so often that during pregnancy, it might just become very difficult to sleep on just one side.

For women who would like to like maintain their position while sleeping, the best thing to use is a maternity pillow.

Maternity pillows are designed in such a way that they can support the weight of the baby and at the same time ensure that the mother continues to maintain position throughout her sleep.

Since it helps to maintain your position during sleep, it also helps the expectant mother to get a peaceful night’s sleep. It is also very helpful in relieving the pressure off your back.

Although such concepts are true and are recommended by several doctors, it is always advisable for the expectant mother to consult their gynaecologist regarding any inconveniences during sleep.

Sleep is an important part for healthy pregnancy. When sleep at night is insufficient, taking naps during the day to catch up with rest that your body actually requires is advised.

Giving rest to the body whenever it requires can be very helpful in having a very healthy pregnancy.

Watch the Video Below and Learn more on how to sleep during pregnancy/