First it’s important to understand that bleeding during pregnancy is very common. In fact, “first trimester bleeding occurs in up to 40 percent of all pregnancies,” says Dr. Arianna Sholes-Douglas, a Tuscon, Arizona–based ob-gyn and specialist in integrative medicine. However, the appearance of the blood (color, thickness, amount) can signify how serious the problem may be. “Dark red or brown blood means old and is not that significant in pregnancy,” says Dr. Annette Perez-Delboy, assistant clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Columbia University. “It is usually seen as a spotting. It is common and is not threatening to the pregnancy. Pink mucus blood can be from the cervix due to dilation, abrasion, or other issues. Bright red blood means that it is fresh blood, and depending on how heavy the blood flow is, it means it may impact the pregnancy.” dima_sidelnikov/iStock What you can do about it: There is no cause of alarm, assures Dr. Sholes-Douglas. What you can do about it: “Recent treatment has been focusing on injections of a hormone called progesterone that helps relax the muscle of the uterus,” explains Dr. Sami David, a New York–based reproductive endocrinologist. “There are also intravenous treatments with magnesium that also relaxes the uterine muscles and a medication called terbutaline.” However, just as important as treatment options is understanding WHY a woman is in premature labor. Is it from an infection? An abnormally shaped uterus? If you do deliver early, notes Dr. David, “there [have] been tremendous advances in survival rates of premature babies, so that women can deliver a baby at 26 weeks and expect a reasonable outcome.” What you can do about it: You can pass diseases like gonorrhea and herpes on to your baby during delivery. Make sure your doctor is aware of the condition so you can take all possible steps to avoid transmission. What you can do about it: Polyps can be removed during a simple outpatient procedure but “they are not dangerous to the baby,” assures Dr. David. “They may cause bleeding in early pregnancy but rarely cause miscarriage after the first trimester.” What you can do about it: “There is no way to predict or prevent a miscarriage,” adds Dr. Perez-Delboy. “We usually recommend bed rest while bleeding, no sexual intercourse, watch for the passage material from the vagina, or if bleeding persists, pain worsens, or you develop a fever, weakness, or dizziness.” What you can do about it: “Once diagnosed, women are typically placed on bed rest and discouraged from having intercourse or participating in strenuous activities,” explains Dr. Sholes-Douglas. “If the previa does not resolve before the end of the pregnancy, C-section is mandatory. Oftentimes, however, if diagnosed early, the placenta will ‘migrate’ as the uterus enlarges. If a woman presents bleeding, she can expect her doctor to give her a medication to stop contractions, and often times she will receive steroids to help mature the baby’s [lungs] in the case of early potential delivery.” What you can do about it: Early detection is critical. “If it’s not noticed immediately, it often results in the loss of the baby due to sudden loss of blood and oxygen,” says Dr. David. “And there is increased risk of the mother hemorrhaging.” What you can do about it: It’s a life-threatening condition, and doctors recommend an emergency C-section to save mother and baby. What you can do about it: For Mom’s safety, this kind of pregnancy is not able to go to term. It can be treated in two ways: “An injection of the drug methotrexate is sometimes used to stop cell growth and dissolve existing cells,” says Dr. Perez-Delboy. “It can also be treated with surgery, mini-laparotomy or a laparoscopy.” What you can do about it: The mole must be removed with suction and curettage (also called a D&C), explains Dr. Perez-Delboy. What you can do about it: “If the mother goes into labor, these blood vessels may break, leading to a hemorrhage that will threaten mother and baby,” warns Dr. David. “Like placenta previa, the recommended way to deliver is by cesarean section.”
