I think I’m pregnant, so why am I bleeding?

Bleeding or spotting is actually very normal in pregnancy, particularly in the early stages, and it doesn’t necessarily signal a miscarriage. 

You may be spotting due to the implantation of the egg; and light bleeding can also occur at around four and eight weeks, when you would normally have had your period.

Alert your OB-GYN or nurse-midwife to any bleeding you may experience – they’ll want to rule out any infections and check for an ectopic pregnancy. It’s likely you’ll be scheduled for an ultrasound, an internal examination or a blood test to measure levels of the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). For most women there’s no obvious cause for the bleeding and no treatment is necessary. The pregnancy usually carries on as normal.

The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.

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