Bleeding problem

May be caused by

What to do

Bleeding during the first 3 months with constant pain or pain that comes and goes

pregnancy in the tube

URGENT! Go to a hospital right away.

Bleeding during the last 3 months of pregnancy

the afterbirth (placenta) is coming off the wall of the womb

Figure

the placenta is covering the cervix

URGENT! Go to a hospital right away.

Bleeding during the first 6 months of pregnancy

Figure

may be a miscarriage (especially if you also have cramping pains like birth pains)

Watch and wait. If bleeding becomes heavy, go to a hospital.

Heavy bleeding during or just after childbirth

pieces of the placenta are left in the womb

Figure

the womb is too tired to squeeze or tighten

URGENT! See a midwife or go to a hospital if bleeding is heavy.

Light, pink bleeding during the first 3 months of pregnancy without pain

this can be normal, or it may be a sign of early miscarriage

See ‘bleeding early in pregnancy’.

Spotting or light bleeding instead of your normal monthly bleeding

the developing baby (fetus) is attaching to the wall of the womb (implantation). This is normal.

Figure

See the chapter on “Pregnancy and Childbirth.”