Can you get periods when pregnant

Schaffir says. In fact, up to 30 percent of pregnant people have some form of bleeding in early pregnancy, according to the American Pregnancy Association. For instance, you might experience implantation bleeding, which is light spotting or bleeding that can happen when the embryo burrows into your uterine wall, and can also be a cause of bleeding in early pregnancy.

But Dr. Or you might have a cut or tear in your vagina, inflammation of your cervix, or irritation of your cervix from an infection that causes bleeding, Dr. However, again, these usually produce far less blood than a period. The placenta can also be a cause behind the bleeding if it starts to tear or separate a little. Early in pregnancy, you might see bleeding due to something called a subchorionic hematoma, which is when blood gathers between your placenta and the wall of your uterus, Dr.

Schaffir explains. Although the condition can raise your risk for a miscarriage, research suggests that most who have it go on to have a healthy pregnancy. So what if you really truly thought you got a period while you were pregnant? How to get relief from late-pregnancy aches and pains: photos.

The top 10 pregnancy symptoms and signs. Get the BabyCentre app. Brazil Canada Germany India. Connect with us. This Internet site provides information of a general nature and is designed for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your own health or the health of your child, you should always consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional. Please review the Terms of Use before using this site.

Your use of the site indicates your agreement to be bound by the Terms of Use. This site is published by BabyCenter, L. Some women do have vaginal bleeding during pregnancy. Some even report intermittent bleeding that seems like a regular period to them.

But vaginal bleeding during pregnancy is not the same thing as menstruation. Menstruation only happens when you're not pregnant: Each month, your uterus grows a thick blood-rich lining in preparation for an egg to embed there.

If you don't get pregnant that month, you shed this tissue and blood — that's your menstrual period. But once an egg embeds in the uterine lining, hormones tell the blood-rich tissue to stay intact to support the growing baby. And you won't shed it and start having your period again until your pregnancy is over. Bleeding occurs during pregnancy for various reasons, some serious and some not. Some women have light bleeding or spotting in the week before their period is due and they may mistake that for a period.

It's generally a lot lighter than a typical period and lasts just a day or two. This spotting has been called " implantation bleeding " because of the idea that it might be caused by the fertilized egg burrowing into the blood-rich lining of the uterus. But no one knows what really causes it.

Menstruation only occurs when a person is not pregnant. Although it is possible for women to experience some bleeding during pregnancy, this will not be due to their menstrual cycle. Some women also do not have any periods while breast-feeding. However, they may still begin to ovulate again soon after giving birth. Therefore, doctors may recommend some form of birth control while a woman is breast-feeding if she does not wish to get pregnant.

The menstrual cycle occurs to facilitate pregnancy. Ovulation , when the ovary releases an egg, occurs midway through the cycle. An egg is only viable for about 12—24 hours after a woman ovulates. If sperm cells are present and able to fertilize the egg, the egg will implant itself in the uterus, resulting in pregnancy. If there is no fertilization, menstruation will occur, and the body will shed the uterine lining so that it can begin making a new one for the next cycle. Although a woman will not have a period when she is pregnant, she may still experience some bleeding.

While bleeding is not necessarily a sign of an underlying problem, it is essential to understand the potential causes and know when to speak to a doctor. Bleeding tends to be more common during the first trimester.