Bleeding During Pregnancy

Call 911 
if you have:

• Heavy vaginal bleeding
• Severe pain
• Frequent contractions

1. Monitor Bleeding

• Put on a sanitary pad or panty liner to keep track of the amount of bleeding.

2. Prevent Further Bleeding

• Don’t insert anything into the vagina. Avoid sex, tampons, or douching while you’re bleeding.

3. Get Help

• Call your health care provider immediately to find out if you should go the hospital or doctor’s office.
• Tell the doctor or hospital staff if you have heavy bleeding, abdominal pain, cramping, fever, chills, or contractions, or if you feel lightheaded or faint.
• Put any tissue passed from the vagina into a clean container. Give it to your doctor for examination.
• A health care provider will examine you for signs of dangerous blood loss and may do tests to confirm the health of your pregnancy.

SOURCES:

Family Doctor: “Bleeding in Early Pregnancy.”

American Pregnancy Association: “Bleeding During Pregnancy.”

American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: “Early Pregnancy Loss.”

American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: “Bleeding During Pregnancy.”

Cleveland Clinic: “Miscarriage.”

eMedicineHealth: "Bleeding During Pregnancy Treatment."