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The Hindu : Shanthi is frightened. She is two months pregnant and woke up one morning to find a small amount of blood on her underclothes. She is extremely concerned about the health of the baby. One of the more frightening yet common experiences in pregnancy isvaginal bleeding. This may vary from a small amount of spotting to heavy bleeding with clots and cramps. In pregnancy, even a small amount of vaginal bleeding can be alarming. Though bleeding may be a warning sign of an abnormality, it is not always a serious complication. Many pregnant women experience light vaginal bleeding at some point during pregnancy, particularly during the first three months.Bleeding in the first trimester (1-13 weeks)Though it is not normal to bleed early in pregnancy, it certainly is a common occurrence. In most cases, women who experience slight bleeding in the first trimester go on to have a normal pregnancy. There are some signs and symptoms which may indicate that the bleeding is of serious concern.Common causes of early pregnancy bleeding include:Implantation bleeding There might be a small amount of spotting or bleeding very early in pregnancy, about 10 to 14 days after fertilisation. Some women actually mistake this light bleeding for a period and may not realise they are pregnant.Cervical changes In pregnancy, the cervix becomes soft and congested. There may be light spotting or bleeding after contact to this area, such as after sexual intercourse or a pelvic exam.Miscarriage Bleeding in the first trimester can be a sign of miscarriage. Miscarriage occurs in 15 per cent to 20 per cent of pregnancies, most often during the first 12 weeks. Bleeding in the first trimester is always considered to indicate a possible miscarriage. It is called a threatened abortion. Once you are examined and an ultrasound scan shows a good heart beat in the foetus, it shows that the pregnancy will continue normally.Ectopic pregnancy In some…More