Understand Vaginal Bleeding During Pregnancy in Southern California

As many as one in four women experience vaginal bleeding during pregnancy. The bleeding may or may not be serious, ranging from harmless, light spotting to life-threatening hemorrhage (very heavy bleeding).

The trusted doctors and staff at Dignity Health Southern California hospitals are experts in diagnosing the cause of your vaginal bleeding during pregnancy in Long Beach, Northridge, Downtown LA, Glendale, and two hospitals in the Inland Empire. If you need care, Find a Doctor at one of our state-of-the-art hospitals and birth centers.

Symptoms of Pregnancy Bleeding

Vaginal bleeding can be light pink, brownish, or bright red, and steady or off-and-on. Other signs and symptoms that may accompany pregnancy bleeding are cramping and pain. 

Causes of Pregnancy Bleeding

During the first trimester, some of the most common causes of vaginal bleeding are:

  • Inflammation or infection of the cervix. Infection, irritation, or inflammation of the cervix can cause bleeding.
  • Implantation bleeding. Some women experience spotting when the embryo implants into the uterine lining. 
  • Ectopic pregnancy. A pregnancy that implants in a Fallopian tube instead of the uterus can cause vaginal bleeding. 
  • Miscarriage. Bleeding, especially bleeding that persists or intensifies, may be a sign of miscarriage.

Vaginal bleeding during the second or third trimester may be due to:

  • Preterm labor, which is indicated by regular contractions and changes to the cervix before 37 weeks of pregnancy
  • Placenta previa, a condition in which the placenta is located over internal opening of the cervix
  • Placental abruption, or separation of the placenta from the wall of the uterus 
  • Infection, inflammation, or irritation of the cervix
  • Miscarriage

Treatment for Vaginal Bleeding in Pregnancy at Dignity Health Southern California Hospitals

Tell your doctor about all instances of pregnancy bleeding. It is a symptom that requires further medical evaluation. Treatment at Dignity Health Southern California hospitals will depend upon the cause of vaginal bleeding in pregnancy. There are no specific prevention strategies for vaginal bleeding in pregnancy. However, regular prenatal care throughout your pregnancy can help prevent potential problems in pregnancy before they occur or become serious. 

Specialized Dignity Health doctors offer diagnosis and treatment options for pregnancy bleeding in Southern California.