IS IT NORMAL TO BLEED AFTER SEX DURING PREGNANCY?
It’s easy and understandable to worry whenever you see blood after sex and this is particularly true when you are pregnant. Seeing blood after sex can make you fear the worst – for you and your baby.
While bleeding after sex while pregnant is common and is often nothing to worry about, it can be a sign of a serious problem, especially during the later part of your pregnancy, so you must always tell your doctor or midwife.
Obviously the more you know about something the better prepared you are to deal with it. So, here is our guide to bleeding after sex while pregnant.
Is bleeding after sex normal during pregnancy?
During the first weeks of pregnancy, light bleeding or spotting is not unusual. However, any sort of bleeding is much less common in the second half of your pregnancy and could point to a serious problem. But whenever you notice bleeding, you must speak to a doctor or midwife, even if you don’t think it’s anything to worry about.
Is sex during pregnancy safe?
Yes, being pregnant doesn’t mean you need to stop having sex. You may need to be a bit more careful and experiment with different positions, especially as your bump gets bigger and you may find your breasts become more sensitive and tender. But there is normally nothing to stop you having sex while pregnant.
However, there are certain situations when your doctor or midwife may advise you to stop having penetrative sex. This could be, for example, if you have experienced heavy bleeding, if your waters have broken, or if there are problems with your womb / cervix.
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What causes bleeding after sex when you are pregnant?
There are many different reasons why you may experience bleeding after sex while pregnant, such as:
1. Implantation bleeding
This is caused when the developing embryo implants itself in your womb wall, which leads to light bleeding, known as spotting. Implantation bleeding is nothing to worry about and often happens around the time when you would normally have your period if you weren’t pregnant.
2. Cervical ectopy
A cervical ectopy is a raw area on your cervix which bleeds easily, often during or after sex. It’s a common cause of bleeding after sex while pregnant, as the hormonal changes that are taking place and the high levels of oestrogen in your body often lead to a cervical ectopy. It normally goes away within a few months of having your baby.
3. Cervical changes
The pregnancy hormones that are surging through your body mean an increased blood supply to your cervix, which becomes softer as a result and can sometimes cause bleeding, particularly after sex.
4. Miscarriage
If you do notice heavy bleeding after sex while pregnant then this could be a sign that you are having a miscarriage. But it’s important to remember that sex does not cause miscarriage.
5. Can low-lying placenta (placenta praevia) cause bleeding?
This, as the name suggests, is when your placenta is lying low in your womb, something that is normally picked up during ultrasound scans. It can cause heavy bleeding during your pregnancy, which is a medical emergency and needs immediate treatment. If you are diagnosed with placenta praevia you may be advised to avoid penetrative sex.
6. Early sign of labour
Later on in your pregnancy, bleeding after sex while pregnant may be an early sign of labour. If you are near your due date and you notice a bloody show, which is a mixture of blood and mucus, then it could be a sign that your baby is on its way.
What should I do if I notice bleeding after sex while pregnant?
What to do if you are bleeding after sex while pregnant is a concern for most pregnant women. The answer is that you should contact your GP or midwife or immediately if you notice any vaginal bleeding at any stage of your pregnancy.
It may be that nothing is wrong, but it is important to get medical advice as soon as possible to ensure that you and your baby are safe. If you notice bleeding before 12 weeks, then a phone call to your doctor or midwife or Early Pregnancy Unit is fine. They will ask you some questions to understand the reason for the bleeding and will tell you if you need to come in for further investigation.
But if you notice bleeding after 12 weeks then you should go to A&E or contact your hospital maternity unit straight away. The chances are that it will be nothing to worry about, but it’s vital to get properly checked as quickly as possible.