What actually is pregnancy spotting? Spotting refers to a light bleeding that can occur at any time during a woman’s pregnancy, particularly during the first trimester. The slight bleeding discharges through the vagina and tends to be noticed on toilet paper rather than in the underwear. The color of pregnancy spotting can range from dark red, a pink-tinged mucus or even a rusty brown coloration. This occurrence is not normally an indication of a problem and most pregnant women don’t experience pregnancy spotting.

It is quite normal to have spotting during the two weeks prior to the start of your next menstrual cycle and also in the middle of your cycle. This mid-cycle spotting happens either from the egg leaving the follicle, or the uterus shedding some of its lining during ovulation. Implantation spotting occurs when the fertilized egg attaches to the uterus lining. In most cases the woman will assume that this spotting is just part of menstruation as she would not be aware yet that she is pregnant. If your spotting continues for a few days then this is not implantation spotting. Normal pregnancy spotting can occur at the end of the pregnancy as well when a few weeks before birth the woman loses her mucus plug.

Spotting can happen if you overextend yourself in the first couple of months of pregnancy. Now this is more of a concern and you ought to see your doctor for her professional advice. Your doctor will more than likely advise you to take it easy or get some bed rest until your spotting stops. Only a small fraction of women who have spotting miscarry so don’t be too alarmed if you see light spotting.

I will now discuss some areas where spotting could be a more serious health problem. At the terminal stages of pregnancy, if the bleeding is bright red and/or you are suddenly losing a lot of fluid, then you maybe losing amniotic fluid which is an indication that your baby will be born quite soon. If, during your pregnancy, you experience cramping or heavy bleeding, please seek medical advice as soon as possible as these are symptoms of a miscarriage. Abnormal pregnancy spotting lasts for days and could be an indication of some cancers or possibly sexually transmitted diseases.

For the most part, pregnancy spotting in early, or late pregnancy, is quite normal. However if you are experiencing any spotting that is heavier than light spotting you should get in touch with your health care professional immediately. This is particularly important if the bleeding is bright red.

                                             Pregnancy Spotting