If you are experiencing pain or you are bleeding you should go to your local doctor or hospital emergency department.
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Pain and bleeding in early pregnancy can mean a number of things in early pregnancy. Often it may not be anything to worry about. However, it might also be a sign that you are having a miscarriage.
It is only really possible to find out if you are having a miscarriage by going to your doctor or attending an emergency department where tests can be done.
Some of this information will only be relevant to families in Victoria, Australia, with particular relevance to women who use the services at the Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne.
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Causes
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There are a number of possible causes for pain and bleeding in early pregnancy. These include:
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- implantation bleeding – when the fertilised egg implants in the uterus lining, this can cause some cramping or light bleeding
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- the cervix (which is the neck of the uterus) is more prone to bleeding during pregnancy because of the increased blood flow to this part of you body
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- ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy in the fallopian tube)
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What tests will I have?
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You may have:
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- an ultrasound scan so that images of your uterus can be seen. Often it will be necessary to insert a small ultrasound probe into your vagina for better images
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- a blood test to measure the level of pregnancy hormone (hCG)
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After the tests?
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The images from the ultrasound scan along with other tests will help the staff to know what is happening.
The tests might show one of the following:
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- your pregnancy is developing normally and there is no sign of any problem at this stage
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- you have had, or you are in the process of having, a miscarriage
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- your pregnancy could not be found. This means that your blood test showed a high level of pregnancy hormone (hCG) but the ultrasound could not find a pregnancy. This could mean that you are pregnant but the pregnancy is still too small to be seen. It might also mean that you have already miscarried or that you are at risk of an ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy is when the pregnancy has implanted in your fallopian tube instead of the uterus. This is a very dangerous condition and you will be monitored very closely over the next few days
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- a pregnancy sac was found in your uterus but it is not yet clear if there is an embryo in the sac. Again, this might be because it is too early in the pregnancy and the embryo is just too small to be seen.
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What happens now?
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If the tests were inconclusive you will need to be tested again within the next few days. You can take Panadol or Panadeine as per the instructions on the packet. Try and relax at home and use your usual methods of pain relief as you need to.
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You should go straight to your nearest Emergency Department if you experience:
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- unusual smelling vaginal discharge.
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If the assessment shows that you are having a miscarriage, the staff will talk with you about a plan for your ongoing care. There is no treatment available to prevent miscarriage once it has started. Treatment is aimed at ensuring that there is the least possible trauma for you as well as avoiding heavy bleeding and infection. You should have the opportunity to take part in the decision about your care.
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Where to get more information
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This information is only relevant for women in the state of Victoria, Australia.
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Women's Health Information Centre
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The Royal Women's Hospital
Locked Bag 300
Grattan St & Flemington Rd, Parkville VIC 3052
Tel: (03) 8345 3045 or 1800 442 007 (rural callers)
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See related fact sheet -
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 This fact sheet is also available to download as PDFs in: English, Arabic, Chinese, Turkish, Vietnamese.
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Disclaimer
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The Royal Women’s Hospital does not accept any liability to any person for the information or advice (or use of such information or advice) which is provided in this fact sheet or incorporated into it by reference.
We provide this information on the understanding that all persons accessing it take responsibility for assessing its relevance and accuracy.
Some of this information will only be relevant to families in Victoria, Australia, with particular relevance to women who use the services at the Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne.
Women are encouraged to discuss their health needs with a health practitioner.
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Published Dec 2007
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