However, vaginal bleeding in second and third trimester can be due to various causes and usually deserves attention.
If bleeding is minimal and it goes away, make a note of it and see your doctor. But if the bleeding is heavy and lasts longer and if accompanied by fever and chills, it could indicate infection and you need to seek your doctor's opinion immediately.
Some other causes of second trimester bleeding can be cervical or vaginal inflammation. These can be usually treated.
In addition, sudden vaginal bleeding in the second trimester can also indicate, placenta previa or placental abruption, where the placenta may get detached from the wall of the uterus and begin to bleed. This can be usually also accompanied by stomach pain. Placenta is the organ which supplies nutrition and oxygen to the baby. When it detaches from the uterine wall, the baby may not get oxygen and nutrients. So this condition needs immediate attention. This is an emergency.
Placenta previa is when the placenta lies low in the uterus and either partially or completely covers the cervix. The main symptom is heavy bleeding, often without pain. This condition requires immediate care from a healthcare professional.
If bleeding occurs close to due date, you may be going into labor. A sign of impending labor during the final weeks of pregnancy is the bloody show. This is a thick or stringy discharge that can be tinged with blood. In addition to the discharge, you may also feel pelvic or lower abdominal pressure, low dull backache, stomach cramps and uterine tightening. This is normal and is not a problem if it occurs within three weeks of your due date.
If the above symptoms occur sooner than three weeks of the due date, it may be a sign of preterm labor, and you should contact your doctor immediately.
Sometimes, vaginal bleeding may occur without any associated pain, so if you experience any bleeding in the latter half of your pregnancy, call and seek medical attention. Do not neglect it.
[quix id='8' name='About our Pregnancy Blogs and Videos']
