Period FAQs

can you still have periods and be pregnant

by Ila Stark Published 1 year ago Updated 1 year ago
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When will my periods start again after pregnancy?

Your period will typically return about six to eight weeks after you give birth, if you aren’t breastfeeding. If you do breastfeed, the timing for a period to return can vary.

Is it normal to have a full period while pregnant?

The short answer is no. Despite all of the claims out there, it isn’t possible to have a period while you’re pregnant. Rather, you might experience “spotting” during early pregnancy, which is usually light pink or dark brown in color.

Is bleeding an early sign of pregnancy?

Many people focus on missing their period as one of the first signs of early pregnancy. You might be surprised to learn that a small amount of blood and some cramping – known as implantation bleeding – can be a sign of pregnancy as the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining and your 9-month journey begins.

What are some early signs of pregnancy?

What are the Most Common Early Signs of Pregnancy?

  • Missed period. If you’re in your childbearing years and a week or more has passed without the start of an expected menstrual cycle, you might be pregnant. ...
  • Tender, swollen breasts. Early in pregnancy hormonal changes might make your breasts sensitive and sore. ...
  • Nausea with or without vomiting. ...
  • Increased urination. ...
  • Fatigue. ...

See more

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Why does my period bleed so much?

Other causes: Heavier bleeding that more closely resembles a period during the first trimester of pregnancy can indicate something more serious , including: Ectopic pregnancy. Infection. Miscarriage. Molar pregnancy.

When does bleeding occur during pregnancy?

Bleeding tends to occur more often during the first trimester of pregnancy than the second or third.

What happens if the placenta is abruptly removed?

It can cause heavy vaginal bleeding, as well as severe cramping and stomach pain. Certain health issues, like hypertension, may increase your risk of developing placental abruption.

What are the symptoms of a uterine contraction?

Other symptoms include a backache, abdominal cramping, changes in vaginal discharge, and a sensation of vaginal pressure.

How long does implantation bleeding last?

This bleeding is lighter than a normal period, however, and only lasts for a couple of days. It occurs due to the implantation of the fertilized egg into the uterine lining.

What does it mean when you have a first trimester bleed?

First trimester bleeding that occurs alongside other symptoms (like dizziness or pain) may indicate a more serious issue , such as ectopic pregnancy, infection, miscarriage, molar pregnancy, subchorionic hemorrhage, or cervical changes . If you are concerned and suspect an underlying cause for the bleeding, it’s important to seek immediate medical attention — many of these conditions are medical emergencies.

What is the term for a miscarriage that is a molar pregnancy?

Miscarriage. Molar pregnancy. Subchorionic hemorrhage, also known as subchorionic hematoma (bleeding between the placenta and the wall of the uterus) Gestational trophoblast disease (GTD), a rare group of tumors that grow from the cells that normally develop into the placenta.

How does your period affect your chances of getting pregnant?

RELATED: How Your Period Affects Your Chances of Getting Pregnant. If you're pregnant, an egg has already been fertilized and is growing as an embryo within the walls of your uterus. Since your womb lining is not being discarded at the end of each month, you no longer have a period.

What happens when you bleed during the second trimester?

During the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, bleeding can also result from vasa previa (where the blood vessels of the placenta are in an abnormal location and cross over the cervix), a placental abruption (where the placenta begins to pull away from the wall of the uterus prematurely,) or labor, says Dr. Hakakha.

What happens when an egg goes unfertilized?

When an egg goes unfertilized, hormones—the ones that control the release of the egg into your fallopian tubes and cause your womb lining to thicken—drop in levels at the end of the month. Your womb lining then disintegrates and is shed in what we commonly refer to as a period.

What is implantation bleeding?

Hakakha. "This can occur at the time the fertilized egg, known as the embryo, reaches the uterus and nestles itself into the lining of the uterus.".

When do most miscarriages occur?

Miscarriage. Most pregnancy losses occur during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. A miscarriage (or a threatened miscarriage) usually presents as bleeding associated with uterine cramping. There may also be a passage of large clots from the vagina. If you have these symptoms, alert your doctor right away.

Can you have a period if you are pregnant?

If you're pregnant, an egg has already been fertilized and is growing as an embryo within the walls of your uterus. Since your womb lining is not being discarded at the end of each month, you no longer have a period. This is why one of the early signs of pregnancy is a missed period.

Can a woman have vaginal bleeding during pregnancy?

The short answer is no. "Women can certainly have vaginal bleeding during a pregnancy, but when they bleed, they are not having a 'period,'" explains Michele Hakakha, M.D., a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist based in Los Angeles and co-author of Expecting 411: Clear Answers and Smart Advice for Your Pregnancy.

What to do if you think you are pregnant?

If you are not sure if you are pregnant, see a doctor, visit a health clinic like Planned Parenthood, or use a home pregnancy test.

What causes a girl to bleed during her period?

It usually happens around the same time a girl would normally get her period. Other things can also cause bleeding, like a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy (when the fertilized egg implants someplace other than in the uterus). An ectopic pregnancy is a medical emergency.

Can a pregnant woman have a period?

After a girl is pregnant, she no longer gets her period. But girls who are pregnant can have other bleeding that might look like a period. For example, there can be a small amount of bleeding when a fertilized egg implants in the uterus. Doctors call this implantation bleeding. It usually happens around the same time a girl would normally get ...

What causes a period when you are pregnant?

Conception that occurs close to menstruation or low progesterone levels may cause what looks like a period while pregnant. Conception may not occur until mere days before your period is due if you have a short cycle or don’t ovulate mid-cycle. For example, let’s say you’re regularly maintaining a 26-day cycle.

What is the most common type of bleeding mistaken for a period while pregnant?

This type of bleeding is often referred to as “break through bleeding,” and is the most common type of bleeding mistaken for a period while pregnant. Break through bleed ing is usually seen during the first month of pregnancy but may continue in the first trimester if hormone levels stay low. It’s important to note that any bleeding following ...

How long does it take for a woman to produce progesterone?

By this timeline, your body wouldn’t know to continue producing progesterone, the hormone that maintains your uterine lining, until somewhere between day 20 to 25 of your cycle. That could leave as little as one day between implantation and projected menstruation.

Can implantation bleeding be mistaken for a period?

Implantation bleeding could be mistaken for a light period . Many women also mistake implantation bleeding for a period while pregnant. Following the same example above, if you often have a light period, and had spotting on day 23, you might mistake that spotting as your period a day or two early.

Is it safe to be pregnant if you bleed?

In short, bleeding doesn’t guarantee that you aren’t pregnant , but then it’s usually a pretty good indication. Pay attention to your body, trust your instinct, and when in doubt, act pregnant until you’re sure you aren’t.

Can you have multiple bleeds during your period?

Multiple timely bleeds like a period, whether irregular/light for you or not, are very unlikely to be pregnancy bleeding. As break through bleeding can be indicative of low progesterone, it’s a good idea to let your health care provider know about it. In fact, any bleeding during pregnancy should be evaluated.

Can you get your period if you are pregnant?

Generally, getting your period is a pretty solid indication you aren’t pregnant, but generally is not always. Bleeding during pregnancy can be mistaken for a period while pregnant, and pregnancy bleeding, especially in the first cycle after conception, is more common than you might expect. Why?

When a woman is pregnant, does she continue to ovulate?

When a woman is pregnant, she does not continue to ovulate and will not have a period. Menstruation only occurs when a person is not pregnant.

When does the menstrual cycle end?

The menstrual cycle occurs to facilitate pregnancy. The cycle begins on the first day of a person’s period and ends on the first day of the following period. Ovulation, when the ovary releases an egg, occurs midway through the cycle. An egg is only viable for about 12–24 hours after a woman ovulates. If sperm cells are present and able ...

What is the term for a condition in which the placenta begins to separate from the uterus before?

Placental abruption: This is a condition in which the placenta begins to separate from the uterus before the baby is born. It is also a medical emergency.

What happens if there is no fertilization?

If there is no fertilization, menstruation will occur, and the body will shed the uterine lining so that it can begin making a new one for the next cycle.

Should women seek emergency medical attention for bleeding during pregnancy?

Women should seek emergency medical attention for bleeding during pregnancy if they have additional symptoms that include:

Can pelvic pain be a sign of ectopic pregnancy?

Vaginal bleeding and pelvic pain early in pregnancy may be a sign of ectopic pregnancy, especially if these symptoms occur before an initial ultrasound. Any woman who suspects an ectopic pregnancy should see a doctor as soon as possible.

Is placental abruption rare?

This condition is rare but is more likely to occur if a woman has previously had a cesarean delivery or surgery on the uterus. Placental abruption: This is a condition in which the placenta begins to separate from the uterus before the baby is born. It is also a medical emergency.

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