Can you get your period in the first month of pregnancy? “Menstruations” during pregnancy: how to distinguish them from regular menstruation. Continuous discharge is a cause for concern

The first month of pregnancy often remains for the expectant mother a “month of ignorance” about her new status as a “pregnant woman.” So far, there have not been any sharp cardinal changes in either the pregnant woman’s well-being or her appearance, especially since pregnancy initially begins with the fertilization of the egg, its further “journey” to the uterus and its secure attachment there.

The introduction of a fertilized egg into the wall of the uterus occurs 6-14 days after its historical meeting with the sperm. From now on, the formation and development of the unborn child will last for 9 months: first, the egg will turn into an embryo, then into a fetus, and by the end of pregnancy, mom and dad will probably know whether to choose a male or female name for the long-awaited baby.

Signs of pregnancy in the first month

Of course, the most obvious sign that pregnancy has occurred is the absence of menstruation on time. If your period is 3-4 days late, it’s time to buy a pregnancy test. But the test, of course, is not always guaranteed to determine pregnancy, but a blood test for hCG can cope with this with constant success: with the onset of pregnancy, the levels of human chorionic gonadotropin begin to steadily increase.

Other signs of pregnancy in the first month, which may signal a successful conception and “settlement” of the egg in the uterus:

  • elevated: basal temperature increases to 37-37.5 degrees even with the onset of ovulation under the influence of the hormone progesterone. This same hormone remains a full-fledged “master” in a woman’s body even after conception, being responsible for maintaining pregnancy. This is associated with increased basal temperature at the beginning of pregnancy and until the end of the first trimester;
  • enlargement of the mammary glands and increased sensitivity of the breasts, darkening of the areola: the changes that the breasts undergo already at the beginning of pregnancy are also associated with an increase in the concentration of progesterone. Already from the first month, thus, the body prepares for the upcoming lactation after the birth of the baby;
  • exacerbation of olfactory sensations and taste preferences: suddenly, unexpectedly, a woman begins to react sharply and with disgust to certain odors, which can even cause nausea. In addition, unexpected food cravings may appear, and for some reason a woman begins to crave those foods that she didn’t particularly “like” before;
  • fatigue and constant drowsiness: changes have already begun in the body, now it will have to be completely rebuilt in order to provide the most comfortable conditions for the life and development of the fetus. This restructuring may well be accompanied by increased fatigue and a haunting desire to sleep; such symptoms often make themselves felt throughout the first trimester of pregnancy;
  • mood swings: just a minute ago the woman was laughing boisterously, and now she’s suddenly crying, upset? The reason for this is all the same hormones.

Sensations and pains

In the early stages, a woman does not yet fully experience all the possible “delights of pregnancy” that she has yet to encounter at different stages of bearing a child. However, even now some hitherto unknown sensations may appear, such as the desire to sleep longer and more often, a feeling of haunting fatigue and rapid fatigue. The fact is that now all the body’s forces are aimed at maintaining the pregnancy, and with such changes it is trying to “tell” the expectant mother that from now on it is necessary to save strength and live in a “gentle” mode.

Although toxicosis usually manifests itself somewhat later, in some cases its symptoms are possible already in the first month of pregnancy. Nowadays, no universal remedy has been invented for vomiting, which is how toxicosis manifests itself: some women are helped by lollipops, others by lemon. The set of “general” recommendations for avoiding and reducing toxicosis is simple: irritating odors that provoke nausea should be eliminated; maintain an optimal diet and in the morning, immediately after waking up, before getting out of bed, drink warm tea and eat an apple or cookies.

The first trimester of pregnancy is characterized by a feeling of some discomfort associated with swelling and tenderness of the mammary glands, headaches and dizziness may occur - all these are the results of hormonal changes.

Many accomplished mothers note the presence of nagging pain in the abdomen in the first month of pregnancy, similar to those that occur during the premenstrual period. If the abdominal pain is not severe, does not accompany the woman constantly and does not “degenerate” into cramping, it does not pose a threat. But at the same time, abdominal pain can be a symptom of increased uterine tone and a high risk of pregnancy failure, and also indicate the risk of an ectopic pregnancy. Therefore, if pain in the abdomen in the first month of pregnancy is constant, accompanied by spotting brown discharge or bleeding, you should consult a doctor, who will make an accurate diagnosis.

Even in the early stages, even though the abdomen has not yet begun to grow, pain in the lower back and in the sacral area is possible, as a result of the softening of the ligaments and spinal discs that support the uterus under the influence of progesterone and the tension of the round muscles of the uterus due to its gradual enlargement.

It is very possible that in the first trimester of pregnancy a woman will notice an increased need to empty the bladder: sometimes the expectant mother has to get up several times a night to go to the toilet “in a small way.” Experts explain the increased frequency of urination by the gradual enlargement of the uterus, which puts pressure on the bladder, and the increased production of fluid by the pregnant woman’s body.

Discharge in the first month of pregnancy

In the first month of pregnancy, discharge in abundance and any qualitative changes do not bother the woman. Although, of course, the possibility of some increase in discharge cannot be ruled out, which may occur due to hormonal changes in the body.

Even at the very beginning of the first month of pregnancy, towards the end of the first or beginning of the second week, a woman may also notice spotting, which is the so-called implantation bleeding. This phenomenon occurs at the moment of implantation of the egg into the wall of the uterus, and we are not even talking about bleeding as such, but about the separation of a certain amount of pinkish discharge.

But the appearance of discharge in the first month of pregnancy in the form of real bleeding - even profuse, even “smearing” - already indicates pathology. Thus, vaginal bleeding may indicate a miscarriage that has already taken place (looks like an ordinary period, perhaps delayed and somewhat more painful) or a high risk of miscarriage (in the presence of spotting brown or bloody discharge).

In addition, an attentive attitude to yourself requires discharge in the first month of pregnancy, which is accompanied by itching and/or burning, has an unpleasant odor, has a green, yellow or gray color, and “unhealthy” foaminess or curdledness. Such symptoms are characteristic of an infection, for which you will have to undergo the indicated tests to determine and select treatment tactics.

Menstruation in the first month of pregnancy

Normally, menstruation stops with the onset of pregnancy. However, you can often find references to the fact that menstruation was still occurring in the first month of pregnancy, and doctors also in many cases classify such cases as normal. The situation in which menstruation is still present in the first month of pregnancy may be explained by the fact that the fertilized egg did not have time to “get” to the uterus. So, if fertilization occurs in the middle of the menstrual cycle, and the egg is still on its way to the uterus (the “journey” takes from a week to two), no hormonal changes occur in the body. This means that menstruation comes on time, but should not be repeated in the second month.

If your period “comes” in the following months (the literature describes situations where women menstruate before 3-4 months of pregnancy), most likely, we are talking about a hormonal imbalance. Menstruation can be combined with pregnancy, for example, in case of insufficient progesterone production or in case of hyperandrogenism.

Cold

A cold in the early stages of pregnancy is not only undesirable, but even dangerous for the further development of pregnancy, for the formation and development of the embryo. Thus, a cold in the first month of pregnancy, in the first weeks, with a high degree of risk ends in embryo rejection: even before the onset of menstruation, without even thinking about pregnancy, a woman resorts to various types of medications to treat a cold. Uncontrolled and thoughtless use of them ultimately has a detrimental effect on pregnancy: a woman may well mistake a miscarriage for another menstruation.

A cold is no less dangerous in the first month of pregnancy and when menstruation is already significantly delayed and the woman justifiably suspects (or even already knows) about her impending motherhood. The fact is that the active division of embryonic cells, its formation and development begins from the first month, and encountering some infections can cause a “failure” in the normal process of formation of the unborn child, triggering the development of certain pathologies. For the same reason, taking most medications during pregnancy is prohibited, which makes treating colds much more difficult. But it is necessary to treat it, otherwise the risk of fetal abnormalities is high.

As a rule, more and more medicinal herbs are used in the treatment of colds in the early stages of pregnancy, the use of which still requires consultation with a doctor - some herbs also pose a threat.

And it’s better, of course, to avoid colds now, knowing that immunity is reduced during pregnancy, and take care. As a preventive measure, you should spend less time in places with large crowds of people, follow a sleep and rest schedule, get enough sleep, avoid contact with people who already have a cold, and eat well.

Temperature

It’s even worse if a cold in the early stages of pregnancy is accompanied by fever: temperature in the first month of pregnancy is dangerous because of its ability to provoke pregnancy fading. In addition, the temperature now can lead to pregnancy rejection, and if the pregnancy is maintained, to pathologies in the development of the child. What complicates the situation is that antipyretics in the early stages of pregnancy, like the vast majority of medications, are prohibited. So what to do?

First of all, do not panic and be sure to seek specialized help. The main way to reduce high fever at this stage should be to drink plenty of fluids - herbal teas, linden blossom or raspberry decoction, weak black tea with lemon and honey. A decoction of 2 teaspoons of raspberry leaves, 2 tbsp. spoons of oregano, 4 tbsp. spoons of coltsfoot, 3 tbsp. spoons of plantain. But, by the way, you should also be “careful” with herbs; some of them, which help at other times, are undesirable during pregnancy.

It should be taken into account that a significant increase in temperature is also accompanied by some other infectious diseases with an inflammatory process occurring in the body. If an increase in temperature in the first month is recorded in the absence of other signs of a cold, you should consult a doctor and take tests to diagnose the disease and choose adequate treatment.

Nutrition in the first month of pregnancy

It is necessary to adjust the diet with the onset of pregnancy, and the sooner this is done, the better it will be for the mother and baby. The main nutritional requirements in the first month are balance and consumption of sufficient quantities of nutrients and nutrients. In general, the daily caloric intake for a woman at this stage is about 2500 kilocalories.

To prevent and eliminate toxicosis that is already present, you should definitely include protein foods in your diet and reduce the amount of animal fats. In addition, now you should give up hard-to-digest foods, fast food products, and semi-finished products. Alcoholic drinks are definitely prohibited; women should be careful with coffee and tea.

It is advisable to eat often and in small portions, preventing hunger from becoming rampant; it is important to avoid overeating. Nutrition in the first month of pregnancy must include the consumption of vegetables and fruits - they will become the main source of vitamins and microelements. But, at the same time, even in large quantities, vegetables consumed cannot fill the increased need for folic acid, which a woman will be prescribed to consume additionally along with vitamin E.

It is also important that calcium-containing foods are present in the diet: cottage cheese, eggs, milk and fermented milk products. A supply of calcium in the body is necessary: ​​in the near future, the baby will “scoop” it from the mother’s body to form bone tissue.

In general, the requirements for nutrition are now common: it must be healthy, nutritious and exclude foods “harmful” to the child in any of their variations.

Sex

Is sex acceptable in the first month of pregnancy? The question is ambiguous, and the opinions of experts on this matter differ: some are categorically against physical intimacy in the early stages, arguing that any careless movement can be harmful, some believe that sex has a place to happen if spouses approach lovemaking responsibly and caution. A clear contraindication to sex is the threat of termination of pregnancy - if the uterus is in good shape, physical contact can cause a miscarriage.

In general, due to the dramatic changes that are now taking place in a woman’s body, the expectant mother herself is not particularly inclined towards intimacy: headaches, breast tenderness, constant fatigue and a feeling of weakness do not in any way contribute to sexual activity. And a man will have to come to terms with this and find a new approach to a woman: an approach of tenderness, affection and love.

It should be mentioned that in connection with conception and a successfully developing pregnancy, the exact opposite situation may arise: a woman’s libido and the need for sexual pleasures, on the contrary, increase. And this is also normal: you never know how the “pranks” of hormones will turn out.

In any case, in the absence of contraindications, sex in the first month of pregnancy is possible, but only without sudden movements and with caution. In addition, it is better to use a condom during physical intimacy: the vaginal mucosa is now also undergoing changes, becoming loose and easily injured. And, since in the absence of menstruation the self-cleaning function of the vagina decreases, even microdamages can cause the development of colpitis.

Content

For a healthy woman of childbearing age, the cessation of menstruation is a sign of pregnancy. This happens in most cases, but there are exceptions to this rule. There are situations when a woman does not suspect she is pregnant for 3–4 months because she continues to have periods. Only a doctor can assess the danger of such an anomaly.

Why do you not get your periods during pregnancy?

From a physiological point of view, menstruation during pregnancy is impossible. To do this, you need to remember why menstruation occurs. The uterus consists of three layers that differ anatomically and functionally:

  1. External – mucous.
  2. Middle – myometrium (or muscle). Protects the unborn child from external influences, actively participates in the birth process. Thanks to the contractile activity of the muscular layer of the uterus, the child passes through the woman’s birth canal.
  3. Internal – endometrium. This layer is most susceptible to change. In the first half of the cycle, it thickens, preparing the uterus for a possible pregnancy. Its task is to preserve the fertilized egg until the placenta forms. If conception does not occur, the endometrium is completely rejected, destroying the blood vessels. This is menstruation. With the beginning of a new cycle, the process of growth of endometrial tissue is repeated.

Can I get my period during pregnancy?

When menstruation occurs after conception, it is clear that the endometrium with all its contents is rejected, including the fertilized egg, that is, a miscarriage occurs. It is more correct to talk about the occurrence of bleeding, and this is an alarming signal. The attending physician will be able to draw a conclusion about the danger for the mother and child, because menstruation during pregnancy is a deviation from the physiological norm.

In the early stages

The discharge that women perceive as menstruation at the beginning of pregnancy is not. There are several causes for this condition. Some pose no danger, others are a real threat to mother and child. The causes of bleeding are as follows:

  • The fertilized egg did not enter the uterus and did not attach to the endometrium (it can remain in the fallopian tube for 1–2 weeks). Until the implantation of the fertilized egg, the woman’s body “does not understand” that pregnancy has occurred and releases another egg. It comes out along with the inner mucous membrane. This is the only case when menstruation occurs during early pregnancy. After implantation of the embryo, menstruation will stop, but in the described case the delay will occur within a month.
  • Two eggs matured at the same time, fertilization occurred only with one, the other in this case comes out along with the inner lining of the uterus. This is another case when pregnancy and menstruation occur simultaneously.

The situations described do not pose a danger to the woman. Scanty periods during early pregnancy (in the first month) are considered normal. Doctors call this phenomenon “fetal washing.” Small blood clots of red, brown, pink color occur as a result of the formation of new blood vessels surrounding the established fetus. The vascular network next to the embryo is fragile and easily damaged, so peeling of its particles occurs.

In the second and third trimester

Isolation of blood in later stages of pregnancy (in the second, third trimester) is a serious reason to contact a specialist. Such reactions are not normal and may indicate pathological processes. If you have copious red or brown discharge or pain, you should seek medical help immediately, preferably calling an ambulance.

Why do you have periods during pregnancy?

If pain, heaviness in the lower or lateral abdomen, or bleeding (especially severe) occurs at any time, you should consult a doctor. These unpleasant symptoms may indicate serious pathologies, because menstruation during pregnancy cannot physiologically occur. They are called:

  • ectopic pregnancy;
  • placental abruption;
  • hormonal disorders;
  • internal mechanical damage (for example, during sexual intercourse);
  • infectious diseases;
  • inflammatory processes;
  • risk of miscarriage;
  • pathological conditions of the fetus;
  • premature birth.

Normal intrauterine development of the fetus depends on hormonal levels. With insufficient amounts of progesterone (the main hormone of pregnancy), the endometrium begins to shrink, which leads to miscarriage; its walls remain thin and the embryo cannot implant in the uterus. An excess of male hormones is another reason for the detachment of the fertilized egg and bleeding. To stabilize the woman’s condition, she is prescribed hospitalization and hormonal therapy.

The threat of miscarriage arises not only against the background of hormonal disorders, but also for physiological reasons. Among them are endometriosis (excessive growth of the internal mucous membrane), fibroids (benign tumor of the uterus). These diseases prevent the normal attachment of the embryo; it lacks nutrition and is rejected by the mother’s body.

Bleeding during pregnancy is caused by premature placental abruption. This can happen at any time. The condition poses a threat to the life of the mother due to bleeding and to the fetus, because the supply of oxygen and nutrients to it is stopped. The complication has varying degrees of severity, but requires immediate hospitalization of the woman and special therapeutic measures. With complete detachment of the placenta, fetal death is inevitable.

An ectopic pregnancy is a dangerous condition in which a fertilized egg develops in the fallopian tube. As the fetus grows, it stretches and the risk of rupture increases. Violation of the integrity of the tube causes internal bleeding. In this case, the woman needs urgent hospitalization. Symptoms of the pathological condition are:

  • pain in the lower abdomen, which intensifies as the fetus grows, they are especially pronounced when walking, running, and changes in body position;
  • dark bloody discharge (resembling menstruation in appearance and character);
  • low concentration of hCG.

The gynecologist determines the position of the fetus in the fallopian tube using ultrasound and performs laparoscopy (surgery using an endoscope) or abdominal surgery to remove it. At the first suspicion of an ectopic pregnancy, you should consult a doctor. An urgent operation is performed to avoid pipe rupture and prevent bleeding.

Bleeding in pregnant women may be associated with fetal developmental abnormalities caused by genetic disorders. A non-viable embryo stops developing and is rejected. A similar phenomenon can occur during multiple pregnancies, when one embryo develops normally, and the mother’s body tries to get rid of the second. This happens for various reasons - poor implantation, pathological developmental disorders.


How to distinguish periods from bleeding

Only in the first month after conception there may be spotting, but it differs in color and intensity from normal menstruation. Danger arises when pregnancy is desired, but the woman does not yet know about it. In this case, you need to know the distinguishing features of normal menstruation from bleeding during pregnancy:

Menstruation

Bleeding

Amount of blood released

In the usual volume

Copious, in certain cases with clots

Discharge color

Without change

Gasket change frequency

After 4–6 hours

Each hour

Pain and other symptoms

Moderate pain

Sharp, severe pain, weakness, chills

Any bleeding is deadly, and if it occurs during pregnancy, the life of the unborn child is at risk. In some cases, doctors have to sacrifice the fetus to save the woman. If bleeding is suspected, you should absolutely not take painkillers and hemostatic medications on your own. The doctor will conduct an examination, determine the cause of the bleeding and the degree of danger. It is important to remember what caused the condition to worsen. Blood discharge during pregnancy can be caused by the following factors:

  • excessive physical activity;
  • overwork;
  • stress;
  • lifting and carrying heavy objects;
  • long journey;
  • overheating;
  • taking certain medications;
  • smoking, drinking large quantities of alcoholic beverages.

Symptoms of pregnancy with menstruation

The reaction of a woman’s body to pregnancy is individual. For some, its symptoms appear already in the first month, for others there are no signs at the initial stage. It all depends on hormonal changes. After ovulation, the egg is ready for fertilization within 12–24 hours. The first symptoms of pregnancy will begin to appear no earlier than 7–10 days, when the embryo has attached to the endometrium. At this time, it begins to secrete the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin).

If conception is successful, the nature of your periods will change or they will not come at all. In the first case, you need to focus on other signs:

  • during the entire luteal phase, the basal temperature (the lowest temperature of a person during the resting period, for example, during sleep) remains high;
  • morning sickness;
  • dizziness;
  • breast enlargement, it becomes lumpy, veins are noticeable, the nipples darken and increase in size;
  • frequent urge to urinate;
  • increased secretion of cervical mucus;
  • drowsiness;
  • implantation bleeding (can be 8–10 days after ovulation, the discharge is not as bright as during menstruation);
  • constipation;
  • change in taste preferences;
  • acute reaction to odors;
  • frequent mood changes;
  • weight gain.

When to see a doctor immediately

Bleeding in late pregnancy is a medical emergency. It must be stopped in a hospital setting to save the life of the mother and child. You should not postpone a visit to the doctor if you have the following symptoms:

  • fainting;
  • Strong headache;
  • excessive pallor;
  • bright scarlet bloody discharge with clots;
  • sharp pains, spasms;
  • nausea, vomiting.

Can pregnancy continue after menstruation?

If the pregnancy test is positive, your period is not dangerous. This can occur in the early stages and has a physiological explanation (“washing the fetus,” implantation bleeding, simultaneous maturation of two eggs, long-term residence of a fertilized egg in the fallopian tube). In this case, the embryo is preserved, and the period of intrauterine development proceeds normally.

To exclude the diagnosis of placental abruption or other pathologies, if even minor bleeding occurs, it is better to consult a doctor. If there is heavy bleeding in pregnant women, it is necessary to determine the cause of the anomaly. If it is detected in a timely manner, doctors provide intensive therapy to save the woman and her unborn child.

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Even the most experienced women who monitor their health can skip pregnancy and come to an appointment with a specialist already from a baby. This is due to menstruation in early pregnancy. They are discharge that looks very similar to the usual critical days, but their reasons are completely different.

Early registration of a pregnant woman is very important. Knowing about her situation, the woman does not take medication, tries to eat well and properly and protects himself more. If there are serious developmental defects, then at the very first screening ultrasound diagnosis many defects can be seen and a decision can be made to continue or terminate the pregnancy.

When do you get your period during pregnancy?

This is very often observed in girls with light and irregular menstruation. Pregnancy is not always a planned event, and not everyone runs to the pharmacy for a test if the delay is a day or two.

The causes of such discharge during pregnancy are:

The cervix is ​​very vulnerable during pregnancy. This is especially true in cases with ectopia and erosion. Even taking smears or having sexual intercourse can cause small amounts of blood to be discharged during pregnancy.

How long can periods last during pregnancy?

Delayed menstruation is the most common sign of pregnancy. But there are exceptions to the rule when menstruation does not stop. Most gynecologists do not consider menstruation in the first month after conception a sign of danger or a pathology. The reasons lie specifically in the fertilization of the egg and the subsequent implantation of the woman’s fertilized egg.

It also happens that in the early stages they do not stop going throughout the entire first trimester. Here you cannot do without an examination by a specialist. First, it is necessary to eliminate the threat of miscarriage and establish the reason why the woman’s body does not respond to conception.

Experts identify several reasons for this phenomenon:

Many women are interested in how many months menstruation can last during pregnancy and until what period is this considered normal. Doctors say that this phenomenon can last no more than 4 months. But even if when carrying a baby There are no pathologies, then monthly bleeding should still alert the doctor and the expectant mother.

How can you tell the difference between spotting and menstruation?

If there are any doubts about the beginning and normal course of pregnancy, it is worth knowing how menstruation when carrying babies, distinguish them from ordinary ones.

Determination of hormones in blood and urine

It is very important to conduct a urine pregnancy test by purchasing one from a pharmacy. This method is the safest and most accessible. It can be done at home without any problems. But if the result is negative, this does not mean that you are not pregnant. It is not always informative in the early stages. For a more accurate result, it is worth taking a blood test to measure the level of human chorionic gonadotropin. You can find out the correct result already on the 10th day after conception. If it is positive, then conception has occurred, but if it is negative, then no.

If a girl watches, then she will also be able to determine whether it is menstruation or discharge during pregnancy. Direct evidence that fertilization has occurred is a temperature in the rectum above 37 degrees.

How you feel

For many women, pregnancy is accompanied by symptoms such as:

These symptoms will persist even with abnormal discharge during pregnancy.

By the nature of the discharge

In most situations, discharge that can be confused with menstruation during pregnancy is unusual. It is for this reason that they arouse suspicion and doubt in a woman. But based on reviews, one can judge that if monthly discharge was normally meager, then women don’t notice the difference. You need to pay attention to the following factors:

  1. If spotting appears after a delay.
  2. If they are clotted and unusually abundant.
  3. If they started earlier than expected.
  4. Lasts only 1 or 2 days.
  5. Minor.

Algorithm of actions when in doubt

If a woman does not rule out that she may be pregnant, but she has discharge, then she immediately needs to visit a specialist. Under no circumstances should you take any medications or use traditional methods in order to intensify your periods and cause termination of pregnancy, as a continuation of the miscarriage that has begun.

It is better not to try to stop the bleeding with medications and herbs. This will not stop the discharge, but it may have a negative effect on the health of the fetus and the expectant mother. The most correct algorithm for female actions is:

To the question that interests all women about whether there can be menstruation during the period of bearing a baby, experts give a unequivocal answer that these two concepts are absolutely opposite to each other. Even minor bleeding during pregnancy is a pathology that requires medical supervision and, possibly, emergency treatment.

It is for this reason that if you have any doubts about your condition, you should immediately visit a specialist. And this needs to be done as quickly as possible. After all, if a woman delays visiting the clinic, this can lead to disastrous events.

Many women do not deny the phenomenon of menstruation in the first month of pregnancy. Moreover, they do not see in this either an anomaly, or a direct discrepancy, or the possible consequences of this physiological phenomenon, considering it a completely normal state of a woman during this period.

The appearance of menstruation in the first month of pregnancy

The main sign of pregnancy is and remains the absence of menstruation during the expected period. For many representatives of the fair sex, the presence of discharge indicates that pregnancy has not occurred. In fact, everything may turn out to be “exactly the opposite.”

The onset of menstruation in the first month of pregnancy does not make a woman worry. From her point of view, conception did not occur. And a visit to the gynecologist in the next period, when there really is no menstruation, brings her into a stupor. Because the gestation period is short and there is practically no chance to take any specific steps.

From a gynecological point of view, menstruation in the first month of pregnancy is not considered a pathology. Experts believe that this phenomenon occurs as a certain physiological feature of the female body.

Continuous discharge is a cause for concern

From the moment the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine wall, a change in the hormonal background of a woman’s body begins. From this moment on, menstrual flow stops. A complete restructuring of the female body begins to occur.

Presence in the first month of pregnancy can only indicate that the fertilized egg has not attached to the uterine wall. Or the fertilized egg has not yet reached its place. In terms of time, this process ranges from 5 to 14 days. A regular menstrual cycle consists of 28 days.

Against the background of standard cycles, this phenomenon becomes quite possible and does not cause concern, but only in the first month of pregnancy. If your period comes again the next month, you must urgently consult a doctor and establish the cause of the questionable pathology.

Reasons for the appearance of menstruation in the first months of pregnancy

The menstrual cycle ends with bleeding caused by the destruction of an unfertilized egg and detachment of the endometrium of the uterus with a significant drop in hormonal levels. The initial stage of pregnancy, accompanied by discharge, is also accompanied by a drop in hormone levels. Decreased hormonal levels may be the cause. Therefore, discharge, especially intense discharge, cannot be ignored. Early contact with a gynecologist will ensure the opportunity to avoid miscarriage and save the life of the unborn child.

Early menstruation as a complicating factor

Discharge that appears in the early stages of pregnancy has a different etiology. But there are two types of complications that are of particular concern:

1. . It is accompanied by a cessation of embryo development, as a result of which the embryo dies and may remain in the mother’s womb for a certain period, after which a miscarriage occurs.

Medical intervention occurs differently in different countries. In underdeveloped countries and the CIS, the uterus is cleaned. The USA and Europe adhere to a wait-and-see approach until the body itself is cleared of non-viable contents. The situation is under constant monitoring by doctors using ultrasound.

2., or implantation of the fertilized egg outside the uterus. Pathological process with the possibility of rupture of the fallopian tube. With early diagnosis, the prognosis is good. Surgery is generally indicated, but early stages suggest the possibility of drug treatment under the strict supervision of a specialist.

Diagnosis of pathologies

Pathology can be determined using blood tests for hCG. The dynamics of indicators tends to decrease rather than actively grow. The result is significantly below normal levels.

During an ectopic pregnancy, the fertilized egg is not visible in the uterus on ultrasound.

During a frozen pregnancy, the size of the fetal egg is so small that it is difficult to study. There should already be a fetal heartbeat at this stage, but it is absent.

A deep gynecological examination is prescribed when the size of the uterus is small and does not correspond to the duration of pregnancy, and there is no tendency for its enlargement.

In conclusion, it is worth noting that in rare cases, the cause of menstruation in the first month of pregnancy can be the simultaneous maturation of two eggs in one cycle, and in different ovaries. Only one egg undergoes fertilization, and the second is subject to rejection by the body. And this is a direct reason for menstruation.

18 Mar 2012 870

  • When can a woman become pregnant and is it possible to count the days in...

Usually a delay in menstruation of several days indicates a possible pregnancy. It is on this basis that a woman first diagnoses herself, after which she either turns to a specialist or conducts a test at home. But sometimes a woman is already pregnant, and her periods continue to go according to schedule, and the expectant mother does not even think about conception. Despite any arguments, pregnancy during menstruation is possible, this has been proven both scientifically and by real-life examples. Which cases of menstruation during pregnancy are considered normal, and which carry a health hazard?

Experts' opinions

If a woman has her period in the first month of pregnancy, as a rule, experts do not see anything wrong with it. This may be due to conception at the end of the cycle. In this case, the fertilized egg does not have time to gain a foothold in the uterus, and the body, accordingly, does not respond with any reaction to the presence of a new body, so the next cycle occurs on time.

In some cases, periods come early. Pregnancy with this phenomenon proceeds normally, and menstruation should stop in the next cycle. If they continue, then the necessary examination should be carried out.

Summarizing all the available facts, as well as analyzing the opinions of specialists and women who experienced menstruation during pregnancy, we can definitely say that the presence of the first menstruation cannot indicate pathology or any diseases that can cause harm to health. They are considered normal during conception in the second half of the cycle. Also, do not confuse bleeding with menstruation. To do this, it is worth remembering the signs of both phenomena, which are described in detail in this article.

But still, to prevent possible complications, as well as for your own peace of mind, it is advisable for every woman who continues to have periods during an expected pregnancy to visit a specialist who will conduct all the necessary examinations and, if necessary, prescribe the correct treatment or prevention.