In the early stages of pregnancy, if the mother experiences vaginal bleeding, it may be a sign of a threatened abortion; and the expectant mother should consult a doctor as soon as possible, to prevent the loss of her baby.
What is Threatened Abortion?
A threatened abortion is a condition in which an expectant mom, whose pregnancy is less than 20 weeks, experiences vaginal bleeding while the cervical os is still closed. The bleeding may be in the form of fresh blood or bloody mucus. It is a serious disorder that can lead to a miscarriage, if it is not addressed by a doctor promptly.
Symptoms of Threatened Abortion
- Vaginal bleeding with fresh blood or bloody mucus in various amounts, which can be brown or red.
- Intermittent bleeding over several days or weeks.
- Abdominal cramps similar to menstrual pain.
- Pain radiates to the back
Causes of Threatened Abortion
- During the first 3 months of pregnancy, this may mean abnormalities with the fetus or chromosomes: for example, congenital anomaly or chromosomes disorder.
- Abnormal uterus and uterine cavity.
- Lack of a sex hormone that is essential to pregnancy, leading to incomplete burrowing of the embryo or gestational sac.
Furthermore, there can be other factors unrelated to threatened abortion that also cause vaginal bleeding – such as vaginal infection or cervical polyps – which will require an internal examination and abdominal ultrasound to determine the root cause.
Threatened Abortion Care
- Consult your doctor as soon as possible
- Rest well and take medicines as prescribed by your doctor
- Avoid household chores, exercises, and heavy lifting
- Refrain from travelling
Bleeding during pregnancy can range from moderate to heavy. It requires doctor’s immediate attention for diagnoses and proper care, to ensure the safety of both mother and child.
