You can do this by keeping a sanitary pad in your underwear until it is soaked. Count how many pads are soaked from 8 am one day to 8 am the next day. Keep a written record of this number, then bring it to your doctor for assessment. Also keep track of other characteristics of the bleeding, such as whether it is painful or painless, and intermittent or constant bleeding. [3] X Research source This information describing your bleeding will be helpful to your doctor in figuring out what is at cause in the matter. Take note of the color of your blood (pink versus red versus brown), as well as the presence or absence of blood clots or other “tissue masses” that may come out alongside the blood. If you do have any tissue masses come out of your vagina alongside the blood, you may want to collect these in a container to show to your doctor, as this could be of assistance to her in diagnosing the cause of your problem.
If the bleeding does not stop or diminish with rest, it is important to see your doctor for a more detailed assessment.
You should limit your physical activities and avoid heavy work for at least two weeks after the bleeding stops.
If you experience bleeding during pregnancy, you should avoid intercourse until your doctor tells you it’s safe. Normally, you will have to wait at least two to four weeks after bleeding has stopped.
Drink at least eight cups of water daily to stay hydrated, and more. Bleeding correlates to fluid loss, so you will need to drink more than your normal to make up for the lost fluid. It is also important to stay well-hydrated for your baby’s health and wellbeing.
Bleeding is actually quite common in the first trimester (in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy) and occurs for about 20 – 30% of women. [6] X Research source Many of these cases of bleeding are benign, meaning they are not worrisome for the mother or the baby and may be due to the fetus implanting in the wall of the uterus or other physiologic changes of pregnancy. [7] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source There are, however, more worrisome possibilities associated with higher volumes of blood loss and/or pain in the first trimester as well. These include the possibility of “ectopic pregnancy” (the baby has implanted in the fallopian tubes rather than the uterus), “molar pregnancy” (a rare condition in which abnormal tissue grows inside your uterus rather than a fetus), or a miscarriage. [8] X Research source In 50% of cases of vaginal bleeding within the first 20 weeks of pregnancy, it indicates that a miscarriage is occurring. [9] X Research source Bleeding later in pregnancy (in the second or third trimester) is more likely to be worrisome. Causes include problems with the placenta, problems with the uterus (especially if you have had a previous C-section), premature labor (defined as the onset of labor before 37 weeks), or also of course labor itself (if you are near the time of your due date). Additional causes of bleeding that may be unrelated to the pregnancy specifically include “trauma” (or injury to the vaginal wall) from sexual intercourse, cervical polyps (masses around the cervix that may bleed and that can be present in women irrespective of whether or not they are pregnant), cervical dysplasia (abnormal cells that can lead to cancer), and/or cervical cancer (one of the most prevalent forms of cancer for women who are not regularly screened with Pap tests).
Bleeding near your due date may indicate that your labor has begun. The typical range is from 10 days before to 10 days after the due date. You should immediately report to your doctor if your suspect that you might be in labor.
Severe pain or cramps Dizziness or fainting (signs of large blood loss) Tissue that comes out of your vagina alongside the blood (could be a sign of miscarriage) A fever and/or chills (could be a sign of infection) Severe bleeding that does not slow down or stop.
Regardless of how light the bleeding is, you should avoid heavy work for a few days and meticulously monitor the amount of bleeding.
True labor pain is regular and occurs at intervals. It gradually increases in intensity and duration and it associated with “show” (expulsion of mucus mixed with blood).
