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Period during pregnancy-is it possible?

Period during pregnancy-is it possible?

20.04.2023

3 mins of reading

Kinga Żebrowska

Kinga Żebrowska

Graduate of Warsaw Medical University

Stopping menstruation is, for many women, the first of the symptoms that suggest pregnancy. On the other hand, it happens that despite being pregnant, bleeding on the date of the expected period occurs anyway. Is it possible to have a period during pregnancy? When does menstruation appear after childbirth?

Is it possible to have a period while pregnant?

According to physiology, menstruation does not occur during pregnancy. This is a result of, among other things. An increase in progesterone and estrogen produced by the corpus luteum of pregnancy. Menstruation itself is the result of exfoliation of the mucous membrane of the uterine cavity, which becomes more blood-rich in preparation for implantation. When fertilization does not occur it undergoes exfoliation and another menstrual cycle follows. If a woman becomes pregnant and an embryo implanted in the endometrium, the period does not appear. This is one of the first signs suggesting early pregnancy in regularly menstruating women.

Period at the beginning of pregnancy

Many women who are pregnant notice bleeding occurring in the first few weeks of pregnancy. Some mothers-to-be confuse it with menstruation without supposing that they have become pregnant. However, this is not a period, but the so-called
implantation bleeding
. It does not occur in all women. When it occurs, it is less abundant and lasts shorter than menstruation. Most often it takes place on the date of the expected period. Other symptoms of embryo implantation (implantation) include breast soreness, nausea, excessive sensitivity to odors, or a frequent feeling of pushing on the bladder.

 

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Possible causes of bleeding in pregnancy

The appearance of bleeding in pregnancy, similar to a period, always raises concerns among moms-to-be. This is due to possible complications of pregnancy, the symptom of which is the aforementioned spotting or bleeding from the genital tract. In the first weeks of pregnancy, it can be associated with miscarriage or ectopic (ectopic) pregnancy . In the second half of pregnancy, bleeding can be a symptom of an anterior placenta or premature separation, as well as preterm labor. Also be aware of other situations in the course of which spotting may occur. These include sexual intercourse, infections of the reproductive tract or too low a concentration of progesterone in a woman’s blood. Any period-like episode during pregnancy should be reported to the attending physician or go to the emergency room to rule out serious possible causes of bleeding.

Post-pregnancy period

When the period returns after childbirth is a very individual matter. Postpartum lasts about 6-8 weeks, but after what time menstruation will appear depends on the body of the individual woman. Breastfeeding and the associated high prolactin levels, and thus reduced estrogen levels, are believed to inhibit endometrial growth and thus the onset of menstruation. That’s why it’s common for women who exclusively breastfeed to get their period later than moms who use formula milk. Bleeding that occurs shortly after delivery is not a period, and is referred to as postpartum feces. If it is profuse always go for a gynecological examination to rule out the presence of any postpartum debris present in the uterine cavity.

Read also:
Bleeding during pregnancy-is it dangerous?

 

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