Cramping and light bleeding 6 weeks pregnant

When you're pregnant, any sign that you've been bleeding can be incredibly scary. But don't panic: Spotting during pregnancy is actually a lot more common than you think, and most of the time it's nothing to worry about.

"Even though spotting in early pregnancy is common and can be perfectly normal, it can drive fear into the heart of the expectant mother," says Dr. Prudence Hall, founder and medical director of The Hall Center and author of Radiant Again & Forever. "Bleeding in pregnancy is expected in many instances and can be completely normal. At other times, it can indicate a failing pregnancy, miscarriage, problem with the placenta, or premature labor."

All in all, it's a good idea to see your doctor anytime you're experiencing spotting to make sure both you and your baby are safe. But before you assume the worst, here are some common causes for light bleeding during pregnancy.

1

The Embryo Is Implanting

One of the earliest symptoms of pregnancy is light bleeding. So if you're hoping to conceive but find that you're bleeding just a little bit around the time of your expected period, it's possible you were successful after all. "This bleeding is usually due to the embryo implanting into the wall of the uterus around 10-12 days after fertilization," Hall says. "Because fertilization of the embryo occurs right in the middle of a woman's 28 day cycle, and implantation happens 10-12 days later, this bleeding can easily be mistaken for a period. The difference is that it's usually lighter and lasts only a day or two rather than 5 to 7 days."

RELATED: 15 Signs of Pregnancy You'll Experience Almost Immediately

2

You’re Having a Light Period

Even though it might seem crazy, you can still have your period when you're pregnant — and that means some spotting will occur. "Bleeding can take place at around 6 to 8 weeks of gestation, at the time when a woman's period would normally occur in the second month," Hall says, noting that even some women a few years into menopause continue to have periods. "The same can be true in pregnancy, with bleeding occurring around 8 weeks because the body is so used to bleeding each month. But unlike regular period blood, this bleeding is typically really light and limited to spotting or dark brown blood."

Having sex during pregnancy can be lots of fun — and is totally encouraged! But if you experience some spotting after, it's probably no big deal. "As pregnancy progresses, many women will experience spotting after intercourse. This is normal and occurs because the cervix becomes vascular. Bumping it due to sex can cause minor spotting," Hall says. "Many women experience this and as long as it is occurs after intercourse and is only slight streaking or a spot or two, it's usually nothing to be worried about."

If you're freaking out about some spotting after a doctor's visit, don't fret: "Spotting can happen after a sonogram or pelvic exam by your doctor or medical practitioner. This happens due to a normal increase in blood flow to the uterus and cervix," Hall says.

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Unfortunately, pregnancy doesn't give you a pass from all the normal, super-fun vagina stuff ladies deal with. That means you're still susceptible to infections, which can cause a little blood to appear. "If a woman contracts a vaginal infection such as yeast, she could experience some cervical bleeding," Hall explains.

While some spotting is harmless, it can also mean something more serious. According to Hall, bleeding due to a miscarriage begins right around 6 to 8 weeks of pregnancy. "It starts with spotting, progressing to heavy cramping, and then a heavier than normal period," she says. "In these instances, women may have felt symptoms of their pregnancy subside before the actual miscarriage bleeding begins, causing real fear about losing the pregnancy."

RELATED: 5 Signs of Miscarriage You Should Never Ignore

7

You’re Going Into Premature Labor

No one wants to have their baby early — and spotting could be a sign your little one is ready to come out before you are. "If spotting occurs as pregnancy progresses and is accompanied by cramping, there is concern about premature labor," Hall says. "As the cervix softens and slightly opens, spotting can happen." Talk to your doctor about the best way to proceed. The good news is, labor can be stopped by hydration, bed rest, and medication.

Cramping and light bleeding 6 weeks pregnant

Light amounts of vaginal bleeding early in your pregnancy can occur. In most cases, it’s not serious. It can happen in the first 20 weeks for different reasons. It can be the result of something serious or non-serious. Continued bleeding throughout the pregnancy is not common. Call your doctor immediately if you are bleeding heavily. Go to the emergency room if you have severe pain.

Path to improved health

Vaginal bleeding can happen from conception to delivery. Spotting is a type of light bleeding. You may see just a few drops of blood in your underwear. Heavy bleeding is more noticeable. It will require a sanitary pad to protect your clothing.

Call your doctor whenever you experience bleeding of any kind. Call your doctor if you have vaginal bleeding or spotting. This is important even if an ultrasound test confirms your pregnancy is normal. An ultrasound is where a technician moves a wand around your stomach to see an image of the baby.

Non-serious reasons for bleeding early in your pregnancy can include:

  • Implantation (as the egg settles into your uterus the first 6-12 days)
  • Sex
  • Infection
  • Hormones.

More serious causes of vaginal bleeding during the early part of pregnancy can include:

  • An ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy that starts outside the uterus and will not survive but can be life threatening).
  • A miscarriage (losing the baby early in a pregnancy).
  • A molar pregnancy (a fertilized egg that implants in the uterus that does not live).

In later pregnancy, the following serious medical conditions can cause vaginal bleeding:

  • Placental abruption (the placenta detaches from the wall of the uterus before birth).
  • Placenta previa (the placenta is lying too low in the uterus and nearly covers the cervix).
  • Placenta accreta (when the placenta invades the uterus and doesn’t separate from the uterine wall).
  • Preterm labor (labor that starts before completing 37 of 40 weeks of pregnancy).

Bleeding may be just one sign of preterm labor. Preterm labor also can include vaginal discharge, pressure in your pelvis or abdomen (lower stomach), a dull backache, cramps, contractions, and your water breaking.

If you are bleeding early in your pregnancy, your doctor will want to know how long and how much. If you have cramps and pain early in the pregnancy, he or she will order tests. This may include an ultrasound, blood, and urine tests.

If continued bleeding is not serious, your doctor may treat it by recommending that you rest, relax, stay off your feet, and not have sex. Keep your body healthy. Take a prenatal vitamin with folic acid daily while pregnant. Take it earlier if you plan to get pregnant. Avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, and taking illegal drugs. Talk to your doctor before taking prescription medicine. When you are pregnant, you should never douche (use vaginal cleansing products) or use tampons. Serious bleeding may need to be treated with a long-term bed rest, hospitalization, or surgery.

You cannot prevent a miscarriage after it has started. The exact cause is usually unknown. It’s rarely something the mother did wrong. Most women can have healthy pregnancies in the future. If you have lost more than 3 pregnancies, talk to your doctor.

Things to consider

If you experience bleeding or spotting at any time during your pregnancy, your doctor will want to collect as much information as possible. That will include:

  • How far along is your pregnancy?
  • Have you had bleeding at any other time during your pregnancy?
  • When did the bleeding start?
  • Is the bleeding heavy or spotting?
  • Does it start and stop?
  • How much blood is there?
  • What color is the blood (bright red or dark brown)?
  • Does the blood have an odor?
  • Do you have cramps or pain?
  • Do you feel weak, tired, faint, or dizzy?
  • Have you experienced vomiting, nausea, or diarrhea?
  • Do you have a fever?
  • Were you recently injured (such as a fall or car accident)?
  • Have you engaged in any physical activity?
  • Are you under extra stress?
  • When did you last have sex? Did you bleed afterward?
  • Do you have a bleeding disorder? Women with bleeding disorders are at risk of complications during and after pregnancy. This includes iron-deficiency anemia, bleeding during pregnancy, and serious bleeding after delivery (postpartum hemorrhage). Talk to your doctor before getting pregnant if you have a bleeding disorder. Also, bleeding disorders are genetic.
  • What is your blood type? If your blood type is Rh negative, you will need treatment with a medicine called Rho(D) immune globulin. This prevents complications with future pregnancies.

Vaginal bleeding is usually blood without clots or tissue. If you see something other than blood, call your doctor immediately. Try to collect the discharge in a container and bring it with you when you see your doctor. It may mean you have miscarried. If that is the case, your doctor will provide additional care. If not all the tissue from the miscarriage has passed, your doctor may need to perform a procedure. This procedure is called a dilation and curettage (D and C). It involves opening (dilating) the cervix. Your doctor will gently suction out the remaining tissue from the miscarriage.

Questions to ask your doctor

  • Can certain foods (such as spicy foods) cause bleeding?
  • Is it best to avoid having sex throughout your entire pregnancy?
  • Is spotting during later pregnancy normal?
  • Is my life at risk?
  • I feel sad. Is there someone I could talk to about my feelings? Is there a support group?

Cramping and light bleeding 6 weeks pregnant

Copyright © American Academy of Family Physicians

This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject.

Is it normal to bleed and have cramps at 6 weeks?

Vaginal bleeding in the early stages of pregnancy is common and does not always mean you have a problem. However, depending on the volume of bleeding, it can be a warning sign of a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy. One in 4 women will experience bleeding and/or pain during their first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Is it normal to bleed and have cramps during early pregnancy?

Any amount of vaginal bleeding or abdominal pain in early pregnancy can cause concern that something is wrong with your pregnancy. However, up to one in three women have these symptoms during the first twelve weeks of their pregnancy and it does not necessarily indicate a problem such as a miscarriage.

Is bleeding at 6 weeks pregnant OK?

During the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, vaginal bleeding can be a sign of miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. However, if you bleed at this stage of pregnancy it's likely you will go on to have normal and successful pregnancies.

Can you bleed and have cramps and not miscarry?

Miscarriage can be caused by a problem with the pregnancy. Bleeding does not always mean that miscarriage will happen. The following signs and symptoms may indicate a miscarriage: (1) Vaginal bleeding, (2) Cramping pain felt low in the abdomen–often more strong than menstrual cramps, (3) Tissue passing from the vagina.