Is it Normal to Experience Bleeding While Pregnant?
Pregnancy is a thrilling phase, in a woman’s life. It can also bring about moments of worry and unease especially when unexpected issues like bleeding arise. Bleeding during pregnancy in the first trimester often raises concerns for many expecting mothers. One common reason for bleeding in pregnancy is related to the placenta.
What Function Does the Placenta Serve Throughout Pregnancy?
Pregnancy is a very exciting time that comes with big life changes like investing in new fitted maternity dresses to show off your baby bump and picking out the décor for your new little one’s nursery. While you're busy getting ready for these transitions your body is undergoing changes well. Amidst these adjustments lies the crucial role played by the placenta during pregnancy in supporting your baby’s development. The placenta, an organ that forms in the uterus, acts as a link between the mother and her baby. Here are some essential functions of the placenta during pregnancy;
Facilitating Nutrient and Oxygen Transfer
The placenta acts as a barrier between fetal blood circulation systems enabling nutrients, oxygen, and other necessary substances to move from the mother to her baby.
It also aids in removing waste substances from the baby’s blood like carbon dioxide.
Hormone Production
The placenta generates hormones for sustaining the pregnancy such as chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) progesterone, and estrogen. These hormones help manage changes in the mother's body during pregnancy and promote growth.
Protection for the Baby
This organ acts as a shield to safeguard the fetus from substances. It filters out substances that could be detrimental to the baby such as bacteria or large molecules while still permitting nutrients to pass through.
Additionally, the placenta assists in providing some immunity to the developing fetus by transferring antibodies from the mother's blood. This aids in shielding the baby from infections during the months of life.
Waste Removal
When it comes to getting rid of waste products produced by the fetus like acid, the placenta ensures the waste is removed. As the placenta removes waste products, they are transported through the placenta into the mother's bloodstream for elimination by her kidneys.
In essence, the placenta is an organ that plays a key role in supporting pregnancy and ensuring the well-being and growth of the fetus. It acts as a connection between mother and baby supplying nutrients, oxygen, and protection for the growing fetus, throughout pregnancy.
Why Do You Bleed During the First Trimester?
As we discussed above, the placenta plays a large role in the development of your baby. Thus, what would cause you to bleed if it is such an important organ? Below we will discuss some reasons why you may experience bleeding from the placenta during pregnancy.
Implantation During Trimester
One reason, for bleeding in the initial trimester is implantation bleeding. This occurs when the fertilized egg attaches to the wall usually around 6 to 12 days after conception. It can cause light spotting or bleeding sometimes mistaken for a period. Implantation bleeding is generally not considered a cause for concern.
Subchorionic Hematoma
Another cause of bleeding in the first trimester is subchorionic hematoma. This involves blood collecting between the wall and the chorion, which is the membrane of the amniotic sac. Vaginal bleeding that does occur is often detected during ultrasound scans. While subchorionic hematomas may raise risks of pregnancy complications like a miscarriage, many women with hematomas go on to have successful pregnancies.
Placental Abruption
Placental abruption is another reason for first-trimester bleeding. It happens when the placenta detaches from the wall before childbirth leading to bleeding, abdominal discomfort, and potentially serious issues for both mother and baby. Placental abruption is a situation that requires immediate attention from healthcare professionals.
Placenta Previa
Sometimes bleeding from the placenta could be due to conditions like placenta previa or vasa previa. Placenta previa happens when the placenta attaches low in the uterus and covers part or all of the cervix. Vasa previa is a condition where fetal blood vessels cross or are close to the cervix, which can lead to bleeding if these vessels break. Both placenta previa and vasa previa may result in bleeding during pregnancy. Both of these conditions need careful monitoring from your healthcare provider.
When to Consult a Healthcare Professional
Pregnant women who experience any form of bleeding should promptly seek advice. While some causes of bleeding might not be severe others could pose risks to both mother and baby’s health. Healthcare providers can conduct examinations, tests, and ultrasounds to identify the cause of the bleeding and suggest management and treatment options.
In instances during the first trimester when there is placental bleeding, it can be handled conservatively with rest and close observation. However, if bleeding persists and is heavy. and is painful, additional interventions like hospitalization, bed rest, or medical therapies may be required. During pregnancy, women with existing health issues or risk factors may also face an increased likelihood of complications due to bleeding which will also need to be monitored.
Ways to Prevent Placental Bleeding
Preventing bleeding involves practicing good prenatal care. Here are steps to take proactively to potentially limit bleeding:
- Regular Prenatal Checkups: Make sure to attend all your scheduled appointments with your healthcare provider.
- Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: Follow a balanced diet, stay hydrated, and steer clear of harmful substances like alcohol and tobacco.
- Manage Chronic Conditions: Keep conditions such as diabetes and hypertension under control as they can raise the risk of bleeding.
- Avoid Strenuous Activities: Limit activities that involve heavy lifting or exerting pressure on the abdomen.
- Address Any Concerns Promptly: Notify your healthcare provider if you experience any symptoms like vaginal bleeding or abdominal pain.
- Monitor Fetal Movements: Stay alert to changes in your baby’s movements. Inform your healthcare provider about any deviations.
- Rest When Necessary; Pay attention to your body’s signals and take breaks as needed to alleviate stress on the placenta.
Experiencing bleeding during pregnancy is a common occurrence. While it can be worrying for expecting mothers, having an understanding of the reasons behind this type of bleeding can offer reassurance and guidance on how to manage it effectively. Being able to rest assured with this knowledge will let you focus on the important things like buying your beautiful maternity dresses or planning your baby shower.
Be Prepared If You Experience Bleeding During Pregnancy
If you're experiencing any bleeding during pregnancy, it's crucial to reach out to your healthcare provider for assessment and assistance. Working closely with your healthcare provider will provide you with peace of mind and will allow you to focus on the important things during this time like designing your nursery or taking maternity photos in your beautiful flowy maternity dress. Remember, detecting any issues early on and taking action promptly can lead to positive outcomes for both you and your little one during this important phase of your life.
