Bleeding from the vagina at any time in pregnancy can be a danger signal. In early pregnancy, bleeding may be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy or a miscarriage, although many women who bleed at this time go on to have normal and successful pregnancies. If you have bleeding, contact your maternity team or early pregnancy unit at your local hospital straight away.
Bleeding after about five months may be a sign that the placenta is implanted in the lower part of the uterus (placenta praevia) or that it has started to separate from the uterus (placental abruption). Both of these can be dangerous for you and the baby, so contact your midwife or doctor immediately.
The cells on the surface of the cervix often change in pregnancy and make it more likely to bleed, particularly after intercourse. This is called a cervical erosion. Vaginal infections can also cause a small amount of vaginal bleeding. Some causes of vaginal bleeding are more serious than others, so it’s important to find the cause straight away.
The most common sort of bleeding in late pregnancy is the small amount of blood mixed with mucus, known as a ‘show’. This is a sign that the cervix is changing and becoming ready for labour to start. It may happen a few days before contractions start or during labour itself. You should always report this to your maternity team as soon as it occurs.
