Spotting is Not Always a Bad Sign in Pregnancy

Many women are concerned about spotting in early pregnancy. However, spotting is not always a sure sign of miscarriage. In fact, many women experience spotting in early pregnancy and go on to have healthy babies.

In early pregnancy, many things can cause spotting. It is true that spotting can be a sign of impending miscarriage, but it can also be caused by other factors, including a sensitive cervix or implantation.

Implantation bleeding can occur sometime around the time when a woman expects her period. It is caused when the fertilized egg implants into the wall of a woman's uterus. I experienced implantation bleeding in my pregnancy and didn't even realize it, because I thought it actually was my period. It stopped after one day and never started again, and so a week later when I finally got tired of waiting for the rest of my period, I was shocked when I took a pregnancy test and found that it was positive. Implantation bleeding does not occur for every woman, but it is a normal part of pregnancy and is no cause for concern.

Spotting can also occur throughout pregnancy because the cervix softens and becomes more sensitive during pregnancy. Pregnant women often experience spotting after an internal exam, or after sexual intercourse. If the spotting occurs after one of these events and is fairly light, there is probably no cause for alarm.

Sometimes hormonal changes can also cause a woman to spot slightly during pregnancy. This does not necessarily mean that a miscarriage will occur, and it can be quite normal. Generally, if the spotting is very light and is not accompanied by pain, it is not cause for concern.

If you experience bleeding and it is heavy, or it is accompanied by intense pain or cramps, you should call your health care provider immediately. He or she will be able to evaluate you and determine whether the spotting is a cause for concern and if anything can be done to help.

Unfortunately, in some cases spotting does result in miscarriage or complications. However, if the spotting is actually light and is not accompanied by pain, try not to worry too much. Many women experience spotting, particularly in early pregnancy, and they go on to deliver healthy babies without any complications.