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Signs of Early Pregnancy: Spotting

For some women, one of the first signs of early pregnancy is spotting. Spotting is light vaginal bleeding. There are several suspected causes such as implantation, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage and a blighted ovum.

  1. Implantation

    • Implantation occurs when the fertilized egg implants itself into the uterine wall. This process can cause implantation bleeding in some women. It can range from light spotting to heavier bleeding.

    Ectopic Pregnancy

    • When the fertilized egg does not implant in the uterus, it is called an ectopic pregnancy. The egg usually implants in the fallopian tube and can rupture the tube causing spotting and can be life threatening.

    Miscarriage

    • Spotting may be a sign of miscarriage. Miscarriage occurs when a fetus is expelled from the body before it is viable.

    Blighted Ovum

    • Blighted ovum occurs when the fetus doesn't develop and can cause spotting. Often times an ultrasound will reveal a sac with no fetus inside.

    Considerations

    • In some cases, there is no explanation to why a woman is spotting in early pregnancy. A woman may experience bleeding with no known cause and still go on to have a healthy pregnancy.

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