Light bleeding is one of the normal pregnancy symptoms

Light bleeding is one of the normal pregnancy symptoms

Pregnancy symptoms sometimes include light bleeding

Early pregnancy symptoms may sometimes include light bleeding, also known as light spotting or brown discharge, and usually it is not considered an alarming sign during the first semester of pregnancy. For a better understanding of pregnancy symptoms and especially light bleeding, an explanation of the changes and new processes a woman’s body is experiencing during pregnancy is needed. As a reference, according to statistics, 10% -30% of woman experience light bleeding during pregnancy and another study identifies 1 of 4 pregnant women as experiencing light bleeding in the first semester of pregnancy.

So what is really happening and why light bleeding is considered among the normal pregnancy symptoms? The answer lies in the very process of fertilization; after ovulation, the fertilized egg (blastocyst in medical terms) is trying to anchor itself in the uterus and become an embryo. During its attempts to find its right position, the fertilized egg is slightly damaging the endometrial lining causing light bleeding. Endometrial lining is a layer of blood on the uterus walls, actually the unreleased menstruation blood a woman has monthly. Due to the minuscule size of the egg, as it is smaller than a dot above letter “i” at the time of implantation, the bleeding caused is slow and in small quantities; this is why the light bleeding is also referred to as spotting. Actually this is the first wonderful step in what is called procreation.

In order to identify whether the light bleeding is one of the normal pregnancy symptoms, you should know that it usually has to happen 6 to 12 days after the ovulation, coinciding to the time of fertilization. If bleeding occurs after the first semester of pregnancy, another reason for bleeding should be taken into account. Due to the relatively long time for the blood to be eliminated from the uterus to the vagina, the color of these discharges is usually brown or even black and they are released in small amounts. In brief, in order that implantation, i.e. natural light bleedings, to be assessed within the common pregnancy symptoms the following should be considered: cramps inside the uterus localized in the lower part of your abdomen (of a normal intensity, such as that during monthly period) , light bleeding or small drops of blood having the aforementioned characteristics and rise of the usual body temperature.

When light bleeding is not part of the normal pregnancy symptoms in the first semester of pregnancy?

During the first semester of pregnancy, light bleeding can represent an alarming sign especially when it is accompanied by unusual cramps (more painful than those associated with menstruation periods) in the lower part of the abdomen and when cysts or tissue are released through vagina along with blood. These symptoms may result in a miscarriage. However it is still not a reason to worry as half of these pregnancy symptoms are not leading to miscarriage. Only 15-30 percent of the cases result in a miscarriage.

Heavy or light bleeding during the first semester of pregnancy can be alarming pregnancy symptoms related to ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy means that the embryo has been implanted outside the uterus. Common symptoms related to this pregnancy complication are: cramps felt in the lower part of the stomach, abdominal sharp pain and low levels of Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). More exposed to this danger are women, who previously had a tubes infection, who undergone a pelvic surgery or who experienced a in the past another ectopic pregnancy.

Molar pregnancy may be another cause of bleeding in the first semester of pregnancy. Molar pregnancy is practically not a pregnancy, but an abnormal growth of tissue in the uterus and, in medical terms, it is referred to as the gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD). The following symptoms, apart from the vaginal heavy or light bleeding, are usually considered as symptoms of a molar pregnancy: abnormal high levels of Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), no heartbeat sound of the fetus, and, after an ultrasound investigation, grape shaped clusters can be identified in the uterus.

Other causes of heavy or light bleeding in the first semester of pregnancy are infections detected in the urinary tract or in the pelvic cavity.

Regardless the cause and either it is heavy or light bleeding, these symptoms should always be assessed and treated by a specialist gynecologist who is the only competent to assess basically all pregnancy symptoms, either occurred within the first semester or pregnancy or after.

Pepto� M m l (� @& g issues like hemophilia are also signs that before taking Pepto bismol the pharmacist’s opinion or your health care professionals have to be taken into account. PKU or phenylketonuria ( lack of enzymes to metabolize phenylalanine to tyrosine) can produce brain damage if specific medication is combined with Pepto bismol.

Pepto bismol side effects – pregnancy

Due to salicylate content, Pepto bismol is not recommended during the first 6 months of pregnancy. Also it is not recommended during the last 3 months of pregnancy as it could lead to delivery / labor complications and it could be harmful to the unborn baby. If you are breast – feeding, consult your professional health care before using Pepto bismol.

In any case, before using Pepto bismol make sure you read carefully the product label and instructions. If you have doubts as concerning Pepto bismol side effects, just contact your pharmacist or your health care professional before use.