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Bloody discharge in pregnancy
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 05.07.2025

Bloody discharge during pregnancy is always an alarming sign for a woman.
Bloody discharge during pregnancy most often requires urgent measures. It is difficult to talk about miscarriage or the threat of its termination. Correction of pathologies of the female reproductive system when planning pregnancy often helps to avoid bleeding and the threat of miscarriage. The frequency of miscarriages in medical practice is 15%. Most miscarriages occur before 12 weeks of pregnancy.
Environmental factors and infections lead to 30% of women having a history of threatened miscarriage. 4% of women face the problem of habitual miscarriage.
Causes of bloody discharge during pregnancy
Possible causes of bloody discharge during pregnancy:
- Minor placental abruption.
- Minor brown discharge may occur on the days when you had your period. Usually, such discharge is accompanied by pain in the lower back, minor, not forcing you to go to bed.
- For some STDs.
In the first trimester of pregnancy, the most dangerous in terms of the threat of interruption, embryogenesis occurs. At this stage, the further fate of the pregnancy is decided. The determining factor is the state of the mother's immune and endocrine systems. The immune system does not allow the body to reject the fetus, and the endocrine system produces hormones that reduce immunity. This is a very complex process, any violation in which can lead to tragic consequences for the embryo. The hormone progesterone promotes the growth of the myometrium. During a normal pregnancy, progesterone receptors are present in the blood lymphocytes.
Causes of miscarriage:
- Hormonal imbalance, progesterone deficiency.
- STDs (chlamydia, mycoplasma, herpes).
- Viral hepatitis, flu suffered during pregnancy, pneumonia, pyelonephritis, toxoplasmosis, tonsillitis.
- Genetic abnormalities in fetal development.
- Heart defects and anemia in the mother.
- Toxicosis of the second half of pregnancy, polyhydramnios, placenta previa.
- Immune system disorder.
- Physical injuries – road accidents, bruises.
- Menstrual irregularities before pregnancy.
- Professional and domestic hazards.
- Malformations of the uterus.
- Severe nervous shock, neuroses and mental illness.
- Metroendometritis (consequence of abortion).
- Folic acid deficiency.
- Temperature increase.
- Intoxication due to poisoning.
- Isthmic-cervical insufficiency (ICI).
Bloody discharge during pregnancy is the first warning sign that a miscarriage may occur. Then, severe nagging pains in the lower abdomen and lower back are added, nausea and dizziness are a concern. Sharp abdominal pain without bleeding is also a very bad sign. It occurs with a frozen pregnancy. The pressure in the uterine cavity increases during a miscarriage, you may feel a strong feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen. It is important to know that a miscarriage does not happen suddenly, spontaneously. A miscarriage has 5 stages: threatened abortion, abortion in progress, complete and incomplete abortion. In the first two stages, the pregnancy can still be saved. But the problem is that a woman often ignores minor nagging pains, and when bleeding develops, it is too late to do anything. Contractions of the uterus, pain in the pubic area should not be ignored. In the second trimester and later, in case of premature birth, everything can start with the discharge of amniotic fluid. Pain in case of the threat of premature birth is of a cramping nature.
Also, during intravaginal ultrasound, the doctor can determine hypertonicity of the uterus. Sometimes it can be a reaction to the ultrasound examination itself or psychological stress that the pregnant woman experiences while waiting in line for the examination. If such a situation occurs again, the doctor prescribes antispasmodic drugs. Hypertonicity can be felt as a sharp protrusion of the uterus. With local hypertonicity, hospital treatment is not necessary. At later stages, if there is a threat of premature birth, you will be treated in the hospital, not at home, and you should not refuse hospitalization under any circumstances.
The body of the expectant mother rejects the fetus with severe defects. The role of bad habits and stress in the occurrence of bloody discharge during pregnancy should not be ignored.
Any infection of the whole organism, even a cold, as well as of the genitals, can cause termination of pregnancy or a frozen pregnancy. Even dental caries can play a certain role. All infectious foci should ideally be eliminated when planning a pregnancy.
If you have signs of hormonal imbalance before pregnancy, it is also necessary to eliminate it.
Bicornuate uterus, infantile uterus, uterine fibroids – all these pathologies can cause the fertilized egg to not be properly attached to the uterine wall.
Stress, noise, radiation, alcohol are also risk factors.
If the discharge is heavy and prolonged, seek help without delay. Nowadays, gynecologists have all the methods to maintain pregnancy in their arsenal.
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Bloody mucous discharge during pregnancy
Bloody mucous discharge during pregnancy after 36 weeks indicates that the mucous plug with streaks of blood, which protected the uterus throughout the pregnancy, is coming off. This is one of the sure harbingers of labor. The mucous plug comes out in parts or all at once. In this case, the expectant mother needs to be on the alert and pack her things for the maternity hospital. After the mucous plug comes off, the amniotic fluid flows out. It usually amounts to about 2 glasses in volume. It can also flow out drop by drop or all at once. After the waters come off, labor begins very quickly, you are unlikely to have time to get to the maternity hospital yourself, call an ambulance.
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Dark bloody discharge during pregnancy
At the time of implantation of the fertilized egg into the uterus, you may not know about your pregnancy and regard brownish discharge as a failure in the menstrual cycle. Minor bleeding causes the attachment of the embryo - a rupture of the vessels on the mucous membrane of the uterus occurs.
Minor hormonal imbalances can also be the reason why brown bloody discharge occurs during pregnancy. There is no danger in this case, such discharge appears on the days when a woman had her period before pregnancy. This phenomenon can bother the first 3-4 months of pregnancy.
Dark bloody discharge during pregnancy is also observed in the case of detachment of the ovum. This is a dangerous condition that threatens life. Most often, detachment of the ovum occurs due to a lack of progesterone. Progesterone is a female hormone that supports pregnancy. A detached placenta does not supply the baby's blood with oxygen, and it can die in utero. Smoking increases the risk of placental abruption.
Bloody discharge during pregnancy is also observed with a hydatidiform mole. Cysts with fluid form on the walls of the uterus. Irreversible changes occur in the tissues of the placenta. The diagnosis is confirmed by conducting an analysis for hCG. The fetus dies with a hydatidiform mole, the heartbeat is not heard. If the fetus is not removed from the uterus in time, the uterus itself will have to be removed. Some women may develop cancer after a hydatidiform mole.
Brown discharge may be caused by cervical erosion. During pregnancy, erosion is not cauterized, but treated with medication so as not to complicate labor.
If you have dark discharge, it is very important to find out the exact cause with your doctor.
Spotting bloody discharge during pregnancy
Spotting during pregnancy is especially dangerous in the first trimester. When the fetus is just attaching to the endometrium, you need to be very vigilant. Spotting can be both safe and indicate that there are problems with the pregnancy.
The cause of bloody spotting may be the detachment of the ovum, ectopic pregnancy. These conditions are life-threatening. Cervical erosion may also be the cause. Before pregnancy, it may proceed without symptoms.
Heavy bleeding during pregnancy
Heavy bleeding during pregnancy may be accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen. In this case, you need to get to the hospital as soon as possible yourself or by ambulance. To confirm or deny the threat of miscarriage, doctors do an ultrasound.
Another cause of bleeding is common in those who have undergone IVF. Sometimes one of the embryos is rejected. This is called a "vanishing twin."
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Bloody discharge in early pregnancy
Bloody discharge during early pregnancy is not always a pathology, especially if it is brown and not scarlet. The reason is the attachment of the fertilized egg to the uterine wall. Small fragments of the mucous membrane are rejected when this happens. Such discharge is common on the 7th-10th day after conception. Bloody discharge during early pregnancy can also be due to cervical erosion. Such bleeding is never accompanied by pain. Another cause of bleeding is sexually transmitted infections.
Bloody discharge in the 4th week of pregnancy does not always indicate danger. A common cause of blood discharge is cervical erosion and vaginal infections. During pregnancy, the mucous membrane of the uterus may bleed. Such bleeding is not accompanied by pain and quickly stops. In addition to erosion, bleeding can be caused by polyps - benign tumors on the cervix. The doctor usually waits for the polyp to fall off.
A spontaneous miscarriage may also begin with bleeding. At first, the bleeding may be very slight. At the first stage of miscarriage – a threatened miscarriage – the bloody discharge is scanty and there is no pain. The uterus at this stage is not changed, and such a pregnancy can be saved.
Bloody discharge at 5 weeks of pregnancy may be a normal menstruation. In 10% of women, menstruation continues for the first 2 months.
You can distinguish menstrual discharge from blood during a miscarriage by the color and duration of the bleeding.
In case of a miscarriage, in order to save the baby, the woman is admitted to hospital and prescribed medications that reduce the tone of the uterus.
Bloody discharge during pregnancy at 6 weeks is almost always a sign of trouble. It can be either spotting or significant bleeding. If the stomach hurts, it is the beginning of a miscarriage.
Bloody discharge in the 7th week of pregnancy almost always indicates that such a pregnancy is at risk of miscarriage.
If you visit the doctor on time, he will conduct a gynecological examination to determine the size of the uterus and the condition of the cervix, take smears. To see what is happening inside the uterus, you will be given a referral for an ultrasound.
Women who have had a threat of miscarriage are advised to stay in bed and abstain.
In any case, bloody discharge during pregnancy is a reason for increased medical supervision.
Bloody discharge at 8 weeks of pregnancy most likely indicates a threat of miscarriage. Minor bleeding is the first sign of a threatened abortion. See a doctor and follow his recommendations with discipline. You need rest, no stress or strain, and you cannot lift more than 2 kg. If you do not take action in time, the cervix will contract and the fetus will be pushed out.
Moderate brown discharge at 8 weeks of pregnancy may be the first sign of an ectopic pregnancy. In an ectopic pregnancy, the embryo attaches to the tube. Pain in the lower abdomen and bleeding are a consequence of overstretching of the fallopian tube.
Bloody discharge at 9 weeks of pregnancy may be due to the threat of miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. Also at this stage it may be a variant of the norm, during menstruation. Also, the cause may be improper development of the embryo. Bloody discharge may also be caused by aggressive sexual intercourse or careless gynecological examination. Sometimes during pregnancy, polyps may appear on the cervix.
More than half of women who have had bleeding during pregnancy successfully carry it to term. The risk of miscarriage is especially high in late pregnancy. If you have had miscarriages before, be sure to inform your doctor and, at the slightest suspicion, go to an unscheduled appointment. Bloody discharge during pregnancy is often combined with a condition called "preeclampsia."
Preeclampsia is a disease that occurs most often in the second trimester of pregnancy. Its symptoms include swelling and protein in the urine. Preeclampsia in mothers leads to disruption of placental nutrition. Preeclampsia can develop into eclampsia. Eclampsia causes convulsions and is life-threatening for the mother and child. Women over 40 with kidney disease are especially at risk. Therefore, the doctor measures the blood pressure of women at each examination and takes urine for analysis.
Half of all pregnancies are accompanied by minor bleeding. But if you have abdominal pain similar to contractions, your pregnancy may be at risk. Timely medical intervention will help save the baby.
Don't forget that an ectopic pregnancy can "masquerade" as a normal one. Just by the 10th week, the embryo becomes large enough to rupture the tube. An ectopic pregnancy is accompanied by severe pain and bleeding. In this case, the woman needs a blood transfusion, and the affected tube must be removed.
If even minor bloody discharge appears at 11 weeks of pregnancy, call an ambulance. By the 11th week of pregnancy, the risk of miscarriage decreases. Bloody discharge during pregnancy at 11 weeks can occur during careless sexual intercourse. In order not to provoke a threat, do not visit a sauna, do not have pets. During this period (and throughout pregnancy) it is especially dangerous to get rubella. After it, children are born with congenital blindness and deafness and other developmental defects. Reduce the consumption of tea, coffee, cola - caffeine increases the tone of the uterus.
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Bloody discharge at the end of pregnancy
Bloody discharge at the end of pregnancy occurs in women in the last day before childbirth. During pregnancy, the cervix contains mucus. When it opens, it is released outward along with blood streaks.
But all abundant scarlet bloody discharge during pregnancy, even at the end, is a reason to worry and call a doctor at home. The culprit is often the placenta. It peels off. In hospital conditions, this can be eliminated, and at a period of more than 30 weeks, if it is not possible to stop labor, stimulate labor or perform a cesarean section. But in this case, the child is born prematurely, it needs special care, it is in the premature ward until it matures. Such children do not always survive. The appearance of brown discharge in late pregnancy indicates that labor will begin on the same day.
Bloody discharge at 30 weeks of pregnancy is a sign that the placenta has separated. Even with small brown discharge, you should not postpone a visit to the doctor. Watery discharge is leaking amniotic fluid, which is also a harbinger of premature birth.
Bloody discharge at 34 weeks of pregnancy may appear after a gynecological vaginal examination. But it can also be a symptom of placental abruption. Mucus may also be released along with the blood. This is a harbinger of labor. At this stage, the child is no longer considered premature, just born early.
Bloody discharge at 36 weeks of pregnancy occurs due to placental abruption and is accompanied by the development of labor.
During a vaginal examination, the doctor discovers a tense amniotic sac. If measures are not taken in time for placenta previa, the child suffers greatly and fetal hypoxia develops. Causes of premature placental abruption: kidney disease, diabetes, thyroid disease, uterine fibroids, smoking, drug use, lupus, severe fright.
Bloody discharge at 37 weeks of pregnancy is most often caused by placental abruption. Placental abruption is caused by urinary tract infections. If the baby is born at this stage, it will be completely viable.
At 37 weeks, the most common signs of labor are: the mucus plug with streaks of blood comes out, the stool becomes thinner, the belly drops, and it becomes easier for you to breathe. You empty your bladder more often.
Bloody discharge at 40 weeks of pregnancy should not cause you to panic. Lie down and call an ambulance. Most likely, labor is about to begin. Brown discharge with blood contains mucus, which the uterus has been covered with throughout the pregnancy.
Bloody discharge at 41 weeks of pregnancy with an admixture of mucus is a sign of the beginning of labor. Brown, bloody discharge begins the day before labor. At 41 weeks, you have an ultrasound to understand how to manage the labor. Decide who of your loved ones will be present at the birth: mom, mother-in-law or husband.
Your husband's support may be very necessary for you, he can be with you during the entire period of labor, give you a massage, give you water if you suddenly feel thirsty. He can cut the umbilical cord. Childbirth with your husband is suitable for you if:
- In your family, it is customary to openly share experiences.
- There are no taboo topics, complete trust.
- My husband doesn’t panic, he’s always extremely collected.
Joint childbirth will definitely bring you closer. The husband will feel responsible for the child from the first minutes of life. It is so wonderful when a man holds his not yet washed child in his arms!
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Treatment of bloody discharge during pregnancy
The risk of miscarriage is much more common in women who work, especially in hazardous industries. It is undesirable to use household chemicals, poison cockroaches and rodents during pregnancy. Wear gloves when cleaning. Do not inhale fumes from detergents, do not use "thermonuclear" perfume and low-quality decorative cosmetics - the baby may not like all this at all. For these 9 months, forget about yourself, and think only about the baby, about that wonderful day when you will finally see him.
Avoid excessive strain when playing sports and lifting weights over 4 kg.
Diseases of the ovaries and thyroid gland must be treated before conception. Also treat bladder and kidney infections, chronic tonsillitis. Rubella, if you did not have it in childhood, also poses a particular danger to you during pregnancy.
The most dangerous days, when the threat of miscarriage is much higher, are the days when you had your period in a "non-pregnant" state. It is better to postpone trips and flights on these days.
Bleeding with placenta previa at any stage is an indication for a cesarean section. Blood transfusion is often necessary. If placenta previa is minor and bleeding is not severe, the amniotic sac is opened. With placenta previa, medical supervision is always necessary, and it may be necessary to stay in the hospital for the second half of pregnancy. In the hospital, all specialists and medications are nearby. If the doctor insists, go to bed rest. In the hospital, the pregnant woman experiences stress. If there is no severe pain, home treatment may be allowed.
Hormones are responsible for normal fetal growth in a woman's body. In case of thyroid pathologies or excessive production of male hormones, progesterone is insufficient and pregnancy may be interrupted. Hormonal insufficiency may develop with inflammation of the ovaries, endometritis, after abortions.
When the adrenal glands are not functioning properly in women, the level of male hormones increases, which can also trigger a miscarriage.
Isthmic-cervical insufficiency can cause termination of pregnancy. With ICI, the cervix opens and does not hold the fertilized egg. This happens at 16-18 weeks. Treatment of this condition is surgical - at 12-14 weeks, stitches are placed on the cervix under general anesthesia. Such an operation is contraindicated in case of severe hypertonicity of the uterus. The stitches are removed before childbirth.
Bruises and concussions also provoke interruption.
Remember that diseases that "show no signs of life" before pregnancy may "wake up" during pregnancy. This is due to the fact that pregnant women have a weakened immune system. Pregnant women have a very limited range of medications that can be used. Many medications can harm the baby.
Pregnancy complicates anemia and diabetes, especially if you have bad habits. Alcoholics and drug addicts are more likely to have premature and sick children.
The drugs Utrozhestan and Duphaston are usually prescribed when there is a threat of miscarriage. These drugs contain the hormone progesterone. Insufficiency of progesterone can cause termination of pregnancy in the first trimester.
Duphaston
Duphaston is a potent gestagen hormone. Which is close to endogenous (i.e. produced by the body) progesterone. It is not a testosterone derivative.
The only significant contraindication for taking Duphaston is hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.
In case of threatened abortion, 40 mg of Duphaston is taken at once. Then they switch to taking 10 mg of Duphaston every 8 hours.
Progesterone has an immunomodulatory effect, preventing the fertilized egg from being rejected. Thanks to Duphaston, a stronger connection is formed between the embryo and the uterine wall.
There are 7 million people in the world who experienced the effects of the drug in the womb, and no negative impact on their health was found.
Therapy with gestagenic drugs should be started when preparing for pregnancy in case of habitual miscarriage. Duphaston reduces the risk of developing chorionitis, chorionic detachment, premature birth and the threat of miscarriage, hydatidiform mole.
Utrozhestan
Utrozhestan is the only progesterone in the world produced from plant materials. It is produced in the form of capsules for oral and intravaginal use.
The usual dose of Utrozhestan is 200-300 mg per day.
Duphaston and Utrozhestan are taken until the 20th week of pregnancy.
Among the causes of bloody discharge during pregnancy, one can also highlight polyps on the cervix or erosion. In this case, the bleeding is short-lived, does not cause pain and occurs after careless sexual intercourse. The polyp can be removed if it does not fall off on its own.
All women with bleeding during pregnancy are advised to have physical and sexual rest.
Magnesium sulfate
Magnesium sulfate is used for bloody discharge during pregnancy for its antispasmodic and sedative effect. The method of administration is intravenous and intramuscular. Side effects may include respiratory depression. The dosage is selected for each case individually. Magnesia improves uteroplacental blood flow.
Magne B6
Magnesium is a necessary component of the internal environment of the body. During pregnancy, the need for it increases several times. Symptoms of magnesium deficiency during pregnancy can be insomnia and increased uterine tone. Increased uterine tone prevents oxygen from entering the baby's body. Placental insufficiency occurs.
The active substance of the drug Magne B6 is magnesium and vitamin B6. Together, they have an anti-stress, antispasmodic effect on the pregnant woman's body and prevent the formation of blood clots. The daily dose of Magne B6 is 4 tablets. Duration of use: the drug can be used throughout the entire pregnancy. As a result of taking the drug, sleep is normalized, a sedative effect is observed, the gastrointestinal tract is normalized, stool becomes more regular and constipation disappears. Magne B6 is successfully used in obstetric practice in inpatient and outpatient settings.
Based on the results of clinical studies of 25 pregnancies in the pathology clinic of pregnant women of the Moscow Regional Research Institute of Obstetrics, it was concluded that most cases of threat are associated with severe hypomagnesia.
Tazepam
Tazepam for bloody discharge during pregnancy is used if a woman has signs of a nervous disorder: irritability, anxiety, sleep disturbance, fear. Dosage: 1 tablet once a day. Contraindications: I trimester of pregnancy, impaired liver and kidney function. Side effects: drowsiness, fatigue, poor coordination of movements.
To prevent hormonal influence on the fetus in case of antiphospholipid syndrome, dexamethasone is used at 1/4–1 tablet at night in courses of 2–3 weeks; aspirin for 1 month at a dose of 0.05 g (50 mg) once a day (from the 2nd trimester of pregnancy).
Up to 12 weeks, folic acid is very useful - 4 mg/day. The appointment of folic acid is especially relevant if the woman has given birth to disabled children.
Vitamin E is prescribed at a dose of 200 mg per day.
Physiotherapy treatment
Of the physiotherapy procedures, the most justified for women with a risk of miscarriage is electrosleep. Low-frequency electric current has a specific effect on the central nervous system. Electrosleep has an antispasmodic effect. Electrical impulses during this procedure directly affect the cerebral cortex. Electrosleep restores the emotional balance of the pregnant woman. Electrosleep has a positive effect on blood clotting indices. The duration of electrosleep sessions is up to 2 hours. Sessions are held every other day. The course of electrosleep is 10-15 procedures.
Bleeding can also occur with an ectopic pregnancy. If a fertilized egg is implanted in the tube, sooner or later it ruptures and massive bleeding occurs, threatening the mother's life. An ectopic pregnancy requires mandatory surgical intervention. Postoperative rehabilitation takes 10 days. Unfortunately, the tube is removed, and the chances of getting pregnant after this are reduced by half.
Bloody discharge during pregnancy can appear at any stage. Even if you give birth to a premature baby, remember that now even babies weighing 1000 g are nursed. There is a known case of survival of a child weighing 350 g, however, this is the only child in the entire history of medical observations who survived with such a low weight.
Don't get worked up, the outcome of pregnancy largely depends on your emotional state. There should be no worries or unfounded panic. Enjoy this new state. Pregnancy is an interesting time that you will remember with a smile. Pregnancy will bring you new emotions every day. You will notice that you increasingly listen to what is happening inside you. If your emotions are off the charts and you cannot cope with mood swings, your doctor may prescribe you soothing herbal teas that do not affect the baby. Sometimes a consultation with a neurologist, psychologist, or psychotherapy sessions is recommended. Attentive attention to your health, nutrition, and walks will help you see the long-awaited smile of your baby no matter what the course of your pregnancy. This day will be the most important day of your life.
Many women are very worried about a possible miscarriage. You can prevent a miscarriage by doing everything in your power to ensure a normal pregnancy. Women, sooner or later you will all want to become mothers. Therefore, do not have abortions. Microtraumas and adhesions that inevitably occur during an abortion inside the uterus injure the endometrium, and the baby cannot attach to the uterus. And all because one day you gave in to passion and had an abortion, thinking that being a single mother is difficult or shameful. Or that a child can hinder your advancement at work. Work will not smile at you in the morning, will not say the word "mom". Think...
The same can be said about drinking alcohol and smoking, not to mention taking drugs. If you are harming your baby, you are unlikely to be truly worried about the possibility of miscarriage. But even if the child is born, it may be weak, sick, mentally retarded. And this is a burden for life. Again, it is worth thinking about. Now there are very wide opportunities for treating any addiction, including without the use of medications, with the help of psychotherapy and hypnosis.
In most cases, miscarriages happen at very early stages, when a woman does not know that she is pregnant. It is quite possible to protect yourself from this problem. When two stripes appear on the test, listen to what the doctors tell you, and everything will be fine.
Bleeding during pregnancy does not always mean that you will lose the baby - it all depends on your attitude towards the pregnancy.