It is obvious to worry a lot when you experience spotting or vaginal bleeding during pregnancy. What many women do not know is that spotting in pregnancy is quite common. While it is true that bleeding at 6 weeks pregnant can be a sign of a complication, it does not always indicate a problem. Keep reading to learn about some causes and reasons why you may bleed during pregnancy.
What Causes Bleeding at 6 Weeks Pregnant?
Spotting or bleeding when 6 weeks pregnant is usually nothing serious. It does not mean you are going to have a miscarriage. About 20% of pregnant women experience spotting during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, which means that the issue is more common than most women think. A study conducted by the National Institute of Health found that 1 in every 4 women participated in the study experience some sort of bleeding and about 8% of them experienced heavy bleeding between 5th and 8th week of pregnancy.
What you should bear in mind is that early pregnancy bleeding is quite common but it usually does not last more than a day or two. Most women experience a bloody discharge but it should not be as heavy as actual period-like bleeding. Some women may experience bright red bleeding with heavy flow, but it can be a sign of miscarriage, thus requiring a visit to a healthcare provider for confirmation.
Three Serious Conditions That Are Also Possible
You may experience bleeding at 6 weeks pregnant due to many different reasons. It may sometimes indicate serious conditions such as the following:
1. Miscarriage
No one wants to hear that, but heavy bleeding at 6 weeks may well be a sign of miscarriage. The thing is that miscarriages are most common during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, so it is important to talk to your doctor if you experience first trimester bleeding. Studies show that about half of women who experience heavy bleeding in pregnancy eventually miscarry.
Other symptoms:What you should understand is that bleeding does not automatically imply that you have already lost your baby. If it is in fact a miscarriage, you will experience some other symptoms as well, including tissue passing through your vagina and strong cramps in your lower abdomen.
2. Ectopic Pregnancy
It refers to a situation when the fertilized egg implants itself in the fallopian tube instead of the uterus. It is important to talk to your doctor early if you experience symptoms such as pain in the lower abdomen, strong abdominal cramps, and lightheadedness with bleeding. Immediate medical attention is essential because the growing size of the embryo may cause the fallopian tube to burst, which may have life-threatening consequences. Ectopic pregnancy is a serious condition, but is quite rare and affects only 2% of pregnant women.
3. Molar Pregnancy
Though it is quite rare, bleeding at 6 weeks pregnant with other symptoms may indicate molar pregnancy. In this condition, you experience abnormal tissue growth in your uterus instead of a baby. It requires immediate attention because the tissue is cancerous and can grow to other parts of the body.
You may also experience some others symptoms including vomiting, nausea, and rapid enlargement of the uterus.
Other Causes of Bleeding in Early Pregnancy
In addition to some serious conditions, you may experience bleeding at 6 weeks pregnant due to many other causes. For instance:
- It happens due to cervical changes
When you are pregnant, there will be extra flow of blood tow the cervix. It means anything that irritates the cervix will cause bleeding – this usually happens after vaginal intercourse or due to a Pap test. You do not need to worry about this type of bleeding though.
- You may experience bleeding due to an infection of the vagina or cervix. A sexually transmitted infection such as herpes, gonorrhea, or Chlamydia may also cause first trimester bleeding.
- Growths inside the lining of the uterus called fibroids may cause bleeding in early pregnancy. It is possible for the placenta to embed itself where there is a fibroid.
What's more, you may have bleeding due to cervical polyps, which are harmless growths on your cervix or due to an inherited disorder, such as Von Willerbrand Disease that makes blood clotting difficult.
What Should You Do If You Notice Bleeding?
Do not assume anything; call your doctor for correct diagnosis. You need to see a doctor even if your bleeding has stopped. Further examination will help find anything that needs medical attention.
Your doctor may conduct a pelvic or vaginal exam and even ask for blood tests and ultrasound scans to ensure your pregnancy is progressing just fine. They will also check for other symptoms such as pain, cramps, and dizziness to make a diagnosis. So, be sure to make an appointment with your doctor when you experience bleeding at 6 weeks pregnant.
What Other Moms Say?
"I now have two kids and I experienced bleeding every time I had sex with my husband between 6 and 8 weeks of pregnancy. I am now pregnant again and have already started experiencing spotting. I believe it is normal to have bleeding so long as it is not as heavy as you would experience during period. I must say that I miscarried between my last child and this pregnancy, and I bled a lot with lots of pain. I believe you will feel if your bleeding is due to a miscarriage with all the symptoms you experience. Do not worry much if you do not feel any pain with bleeding."
"I started experiencing some abdominal pain when I was 6 weeks pregnant. It started in the afternoon and became quite severe by the evening. I even experienced light pink spotting that made me worry a lot. We rushed to the emergency room but they told us that they could not detect the baby through ultrasound due to the small size, but they said I was still pregnant. The pain became worse in the next morning with severe cramping and back pain. I again went to the emergency room and waited for three hours until my doctor broke the bad news. I was going through a miscarriage because my hormone levels were too low. I suggest you should see your doctor immediately if you notice bleeding at any stage of pregnancy."