Celina
van Grotel
obstetric - team blue - specialisations - ultrasound technician
During a blood loss ultrasound, we examine the cause of the blood loss and look for peculiarities and whether the baby’s heart is beating. Usually the blood loss is harmless and nothing is wrong. Sometimes, unfortunately, the midwife determines that there is no heart beating or that the embryo is not developing properly. This is called a miscarriage.
- 1 in 5 women experience blood loss during the first trimester of pregnancy.
- In more than half the cases there is nothing wrong and it is superficial bleeding.
- The bleeding may be bright red, brown or pink.
- Often a little bleeding may occur after intercourse (contact bleeding) or a spontaneous rupture of a capillary occurs (as in a nosebleed). This bleeding stops on its own within a few days and does not affect the pregnancy.
- If the bleeding is heavy and similar to a menstrual period with possibly some clots, it may be a miscarriage. Often you will also have abdominal pain. Unfortunately, when miscarriage occurs, it cannot be prevented or treated. Something has gone wrong in the early stages of the construction of the pregnancy and your body recognizes this and stops this pregnancy.
Do not immediately assume the worst, because often there is thus another reason for the bleeding. Contact us if you have blood loss and are concerned.
There are several possible causes of blood loss:
- Embryo implantation in the endometrium (between 3-6 weeks)
- Busy day - physical exertion
- Hard stools
- Contact bleeding after intercourse
- Vaginal infection
- Bladder infection