What does early pregnancy bleeding mean?

It refers to vaginal bleeding that occurs during the early stages of pregnancy (before 13⁺⁶ weeks, i.e., the period up to 13 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy).

It occurs in 20%-40% of pregnant women. The bleeding may be light or heavy, intermittent or continuous, and may or may not be accompanied by abdominal pain.

Which department should I visit for early pregnancy bleeding?

English name: First-trimester bleeding.

Aliases: Early pregnancy bleeding, Vaginal bleeding in early pregnancy, First-trimester bleeding.

Departments: Obstetrics, Gynecology and Obstetrics, Gynecology.

What causes early pregnancy bleeding?

Common causes include physiological bleeding due to embryo implantation, spontaneous abortion (including threatened abortion, inevitable abortion, incomplete abortion, and complete abortion), ectopic pregnancy, cervical/vaginal/uterine conditions (such as polyps, inflammation/infection, or trophoblastic disease), as well as early-pregnancy sexual intercourse or trauma.

Who is more likely to experience early pregnancy bleeding?

Early pregnancy bleeding can occur in any pregnant woman, but it is more commonly a sign of threatened abortion, particularly in women with a history of poor pregnancy outcomes or recurrent miscarriage. It is also frequently seen in women with ectopic pregnancy.

What are the main symptoms of early pregnancy bleeding?

Pregnancy-related bleeding can manifest in various forms, commonly including bleeding with abdominal pain or bleeding without pain.

• The color of the blood may be bright red or brown, and blood clots may be present.
• Women with inevitable abortion or decidual polyps may also pass tissue-like material.

How is early pregnancy bleeding diagnosed?

For women in early pregnancy, the presence of dark red or bright red bloody discharge is sufficient for a diagnosis of early pregnancy bleeding. Further gynecological examination and color Doppler ultrasound are needed to determine the underlying cause.

• A routine gynecological exam can preliminarily identify the source and severity of bleeding, distinguishing between cervical and uterine causes.
• Ultrasound can help detect deeper pelvic organ abnormalities, determining whether the bleeding is due to ectopic pregnancy or intrauterine fluid accumulation.

How is early pregnancy bleeding treated? Is it serious?

Treatment depends on the specific diagnosis:

• For threatened abortion, measures to prevent miscarriage are taken.
• For ectopic pregnancy, treatment is determined based on bleeding, abdominal pain, ultrasound findings, and HCG levels.
• For abnormal bleeding caused by molar pregnancy, uterine evacuation is required.
• For bleeding due to cervical polyps, fibroids, or other gynecological conditions, individualized treatment is selected based on severity.

What is the prognosis for early pregnancy bleeding?

The prognosis varies depending on the cause and severity, affecting daily life differently.

• Mild bleeding from threatened abortion often improves with treatment, but some cases progress to inevitable abortion.
• The prognosis for ectopic pregnancy depends on timely diagnosis, lesion size, and HCG levels.
• For bleeding caused by other gynecological conditions, the prognosis is closely related to the underlying cause and severity.

How can early pregnancy bleeding be prevented?

Since early pregnancy bleeding has many causes, not all cases can be prevented. Currently, preventable cases mainly involve threatened abortion. Preventive measures include avoiding excessive fatigue, staying up late, sexual intercourse in the first trimester (especially the first 3 months), and crowded environments.