Instructions

Menstruation is the process of shedding the endometrium, the mucous layer of the uterus, which grows in the first half of the cycle. It occurs only if pregnancy has not occurred, that is, if the fetus is not against the wall of the uterus. Otherwise, by definition, it cannot be - the endometrium is not rejected, or more precisely, if it is rejected, a miscarriage will inevitably occur, since the fertilized egg will also be released along with this layer.

There are very rare cases when fertilization has occurred, but the fetus has not yet had time to attach to the uterus, and only in the next cycle the fertilized egg managed to take its place. Although conception occurred earlier, pregnancy actually began from that moment, after which menstruation is impossible.

Based on appearance, various diagnoses can already be made. Spotting may indicate separation of the fertilized egg, as a result of which doctors usually threaten miscarriage. If the detachment of the fetus is minor, the pregnant woman will not even suspect it, since hormones will cope with it on their own and help maintain the pregnancy. In the most difficult situations, periods are painful and have a scanty appearance. This type of menstruation should be a signal to immediately consult a doctor.

In this case, strict adherence to bed rest and no worries are necessary.

Unfortunately, some women ignore doctors' recommendations and may perform any active movements or physical activity. And thus they increase the risk of pregnancy.

Bleeding may also indicate genetic diseases of the fetus and pregnancy.

An ectopic pregnancy is a mandatory indicator for termination, since such a pregnancy puts the woman at risk.

There is no need to despair; after surgery to remove an ectopic pregnancy, another pregnancy will occur.

It is because of the above reasons that every woman should be very careful about her health both before pregnancy and during it.

The appearance of menstruation during pregnancy does not tolerate delays and loss of time; you should not continue to wait until your periods are over; consult a gynecologist immediately. Otherwise, it can be disastrous and cause deterioration in women's health.

Tip 4: Can menstruation come if conception has occurred?

Many women consider menstruation in the first month of pregnancy to be a completely normal physiological phenomenon. At the same time, they absolutely do not think about the reasons for this discrepancy, as well as about the possible consequences that spotting after conception can lead to.

As you know, they come due to the level of hormones, when the endometrium of the uterus peels off and bleeding begins. This occurs in cases where conception has not occurred. If they arrived after the fertilization of the egg, then we can assume that the same thing is happening. But a drop in hormones is the first sign of a miscarriage. Therefore, even with a small amount of bloody discharge, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible. The sooner this is done, the higher the chance of saving the child.

after conception?

Normally, menstruation should stop as soon as pregnancy occurs. But you can often meet people who did not know about its onset, since they have had it all this time. And doctors often classify such cases as the norm.

Most often, menstruation occurs due to too rapid restructuring of the body. This happens when fertilization begins in the middle of the menstrual cycle. In this case, the fertilized egg simply does not have time to reach the desired place by the start date of menstruation, and therefore they follow the usual pattern.

Menstruation is also explained by an insufficient amount of estrogen in the mother’s blood. Today, hormonal disorders are not uncommon, and therefore many of them find out about their interesting situation only closer to the 12th week.

Menstruation after conception can begin with the simultaneous maturation of two eggs, one of which is rejected with its help. This case is quite complex, and therefore requires the supervision of specialists.

How to distinguish between periods during pregnancy and the onset of a miscarriage?

If the fact is confirmed, and the bleeding continues, you should immediately run to the doctor. In any case, this cannot be called the norm. Even if he does not confirm a miscarriage during examination on a chair and ultrasound, it would be useful to donate blood to determine the level of hormones and inflammatory processes.

Normal menstruation, which occurs due to hormonal disorders that can occur in a woman’s body in the first months of pregnancy, is insignificant and is not accompanied by pain. If bloody discharge begins, accompanied by cramping pain in the lower abdomen, then this may indicate the beginning of a miscarriage and in this case, only calling an ambulance can save the child’s life; before their arrival, you need to take a horizontal position and stop making unnecessary movements.

Sources:

• Do you have periods during pregnancy?

One of the main signs of pregnancy is the cessation of menstruation. But it also happens that the expectant mother still feels regular ailments during pregnancy. However, a woman's menstruation can be considered normal only until the third month of pregnancy. After this period of discharge, they speak of hormonal disorders.

At the very early stages, they are a common thing - the body has not yet had time to rebuild itself, so menstruation does not stop. Much less often, regular bloody discharge appears in expectant mothers when two eggs mature in one cycle. One of them is fertilized, and the second is rejected. Menstruation on the second and third already serves as a sign of a decrease in estrogen in the blood.

Signs of menstruation during pregnancy

A pregnant woman should not worry if it is on schedule. But there is no threat only when the discharge is insignificant in volume and is not accompanied by painful sensations. If the expected menstruation is painful, it may be bloody discharge, not. In this case, we can talk about the threat of miscarriage; the pregnant woman should definitely consult her doctor, and best of all, call an ambulance.

Bloody discharge can occur for a number of reasons. This could be a detachment of the ovum. This dangerous condition occurs due to progesterone deficiency, arrest of pregnancy in development, the presence of an ectopic pregnancy, and increased levels of androgen - the male sex hormone.

However, despite the threat that spotting during pregnancy poses, it is possible to distinguish them without a visit to the gynecologist. Menstruation traditionally practically stops at night, discharge occurs mainly during the movement of the pregnant woman.

When bleeding is not normal

The beginning will be signaled not only by bright red blood, but also by sharp nagging pain in the lower abdomen, heaviness, and dizziness. Your doctor will help you determine whether bleeding—scanty or heavy—is due to menstruation. And if spotting is still not recognized as menstruation, the pregnant woman must undergo a full examination. First of all, for hormonal disorders and possible infections. The condition also requires close attention, so most often in case of bleeding, the expectant mother is hospitalized.

Often, spotting indicates infectious, inflammatory diseases, or internal injuries. Also, late bleeding can serve as a symptom of placenta previa.

By your period, you judge that the egg is not fertilized and a new ovulation cycle begins. But the body does not always work correctly and it happens that when pregnancy occurs, you may notice spotting, called “false menstruation.”

Instructions

If your discharge is unusual and you experience scanty bleeding, then this may be a manifestation of the fertilized egg descending into the uterus - that is, it has already arrived and the embryo is clinging to the wall of the uterus. If your layer of endometrial tissue has grown greatly or there is increased fragility of blood vessels, then bleeding is inevitable. The fertilized egg travels its way to about 7-10 days, and it turns out that the time when it attaches to the uterine wall coincides with the time of scheduled menstruation, so you can confuse these phenomena.

In the first months of pregnancy, you may observe false pregnancy symptoms if the body has not yet adjusted to pregnancy, that is, the hormonal background affects the female organs in such a way that the uterus contracts as during menstruation. With this phenomenon, partial detachment of the fertilized egg occurs, which leads to bleeding. This process of dysfunction of the female reproductive organs is accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen and lower back, so you mistake spotting for normal menstruation. As a rule, the hormonal balance will regulate the body's functioning by the end of the first trimester of pregnancy and the blood will stop. The phenomenon of false menstruation during pregnancy is observed by less than 10% of expectant mothers.

Bleeding during the first weeks of pregnancy can be triggered by physical exertion or psycho-emotional shocks. In this case, you can observe spotting with blood for several days - they either pass or reappear and are not always associated with the days of supposed menstruation. Such discharge occurs because during physical activity, the walls of the abdominal muscles are tightly compressed, thereby causing increased tone of the uterus. If you experience psycho-emotional overload, then, under the influence of stress, hormones are released, which also cause uterine hypertonicity. The walls of the uterus, in turn, put pressure on the embryo, provoking partial detachment of the chorion. The separation of even part of the chorion of the embryo from the walls of the uterus is accompanied by rupture of blood vessels and, accordingly, the release of blood.

Heavy bloody discharge can signal complete detachment of the fertilized egg, that is, a spontaneous abortion occurs. Such menstruation most often occurs after a long delay, or after 2-3 months of pregnancy, during which you did not experience heavy discharge - false menstruation.

note

If your spotting is different from normal periods and does not occur on time, consult your doctor. Such symptoms may indicate various diseases, including oncological processes.

Helpful advice

If your period is not going as usual, take a pregnancy test.

Quite often, women torment themselves, thinking about whether their pregnancy has occurred or not. Of course, this can be found out through an ultrasound, but this opportunity will appear only 3-4 weeks after conception. How can you find out the answer to such an exciting question in the first days and weeks?

How does conception occur?

A woman's ovaries contain approximately 200 thousand eggs. By the time a representative of the fair sex reaches puberty, only 500 are fully developed. Ovulation occurs once a month, and it is at this moment that conception can occur.

In the fallopian tube, the egg meets the sperm and they fuse. From this moment - fertilization - pregnancy begins.

The sex of a child is determined by the sperm because it can differ from the egg by only one chromosome. If they are different, a boy will be born; if they are identical, a girl will be born.

Next, the fertilized egg moves through the fallopian tube and a week later enters the uterine cavity. There it is embedded in the mucous membrane, which contains the nutrients necessary for the embryo to develop successfully.

Early signs of pregnancy

You need to understand that immediately after conception the woman will not feel any changes, and, accordingly, no signs of pregnancy will appear. This can be tracked at least on the tenth day after fertilization. About a week before the expected menstruation, hormonal changes will begin in a woman’s body, which affects her well-being and appearance.

The first symptom is breast swelling. Of course, it increases with approaching menstruation, but it manifests itself differently. With successful conception, the breasts seem to swell and increase in size, become blurry, and the nipple increases in size.

Another sign is aching pain in the lower abdomen. This is also typical before menstruation, but if pregnancy occurs, this condition occurs 7-9 days earlier. This is due to contraction of the uterine wall.

In some cases, drowsiness, malaise, and nausea may occur. But this does not always signal pregnancy.

If you monitored the basal temperature of your body and everything went like clockwork - at the time of ovulation it rose to 37 degrees, and then gradually fell, then when pregnancy occurs, complete confusion will begin. This sign is considered the most reliable. This way you can almost accurately understand whether conception has occurred or not.

If you are still sure that you are pregnant, you can confirm or refute your guesses by checking the level of the hCG hormone in your urine - do a pregnancy test. And remember your mother's intuition. It happens that an elementary premonition tells a woman about the future baby even before the appearance of various signs and symptoms.

Pregnancy is, first of all, a severe stress for the female body, in which everything changes and rearranges itself, thus preparing for bearing a child and giving birth. Almost every woman can feel these changes, but the “symptoms” of pregnancy for everyone occur with varying degrees of severity.

You will need

• Pregnancy test

Instructions

“Listen” to your mood. You can feel the developing fetus in your body only in the late stages of pregnancy, when it reaches the size at which the movements of the unborn child are noticeable and strong enough. In the early stages, you can only feel changes in your body. Among them, constant mood swings are often encountered. If you notice that you become depressed for no particular reason, that your mood changes several times a day, this is a “signal” that the hormonal state of your body is beginning to change. Pregnancy is one of the most common reasons for such changes.

Assess your overall health. One of the first signs of pregnancy is toxicosis, which occurs in 90% of cases. It is not difficult to feel toxicosis - it makes itself felt with constant nausea, vomiting, intestinal dysfunction, a pronounced reaction to various odors (tobacco, perfume, etc.), dizziness and fainting. If you suddenly begin to experience the listed symptoms for no apparent reason, then you are most likely pregnant.

Pay attention to nutrition. During pregnancy, a woman begins to feel the need for certain foods. Some people start eating salty foods, some start eating sweet foods. In any case, eating behavior changes. If you find yourself suddenly craving specific foods that you didn't crave before, it's likely that you're feeling pregnant.

Watch your weight. Since a pregnant woman “feeds” not only herself, but also the baby, a little more food is required than usual. Appetite increases, portions increase, which leads to weight gain. If you start to gain weight sharply, think about a possible pregnancy.

Pay attention to the frequency of urination. Pregnant women visit the restroom much more often than they did before conception because the uterus begins to expand and put pressure on the bladder, causing a frequent urge to urinate. This is especially noticeable at night, when a woman wakes up several times to visit the toilet.

Buy a pregnancy test. If you have not felt any changes in your body, behavior, tastes, you are not suffering from toxicosis, and menstruation does not occur on time, then you should not wait until you can feel whether you are pregnant or not. Take a pregnancy test. Today you can buy it at any pharmacy and in a matter of minutes check whether conception was successful.

Video on the topic

Menstruation is not possible during pregnancy. However, many women, not yet aware of their pregnancy, confuse menstruation and bleeding. There are bloody discharges that are safe for the health of mother and baby. But there are also bleedings that are dangerous to the health of a pregnant woman. Therefore, it is necessary to clearly understand whether it is menstruation or bleeding during pregnancy.

Instructions

Menstruation is the shedding of the mucous layer of the uterus, which leaves the woman’s body along with blood. Occurs only in the absence of pregnancy. Essentially, this is how a woman prepares to become a mother every month. Therefore, there cannot be actual menstruation during pregnancy. If there is already a fetus in the uterus, no rejection of the mucous membrane occurs. In this case, bloody discharge from the uterus is possible, which women often confuse with menstruation.

The pregnancy period is counted from the first day of the previous one. About two weeks after the start of the cycle, the egg prepares for ovulation, during which it leaves the ovary and moves towards the uterus. If a sperm is encountered on the way of the egg, fertilization occurs. Only on the 4th day after this, the egg reaches the uterine cavity and begins to penetrate its wall. In this case, the small blood vessels of the uterine mucosa rupture; Accordingly, slight bleeding is possible. It is these minor bleeding that women often confuse. If the expectant mother does not yet know about her pregnancy (this is very likely at three weeks), then she simply believes that a cycle failure has occurred. At the same time, the discharge from the implantation of a fertilized egg into the wall of the uterus is very slight and short-lived, unlike menstruation.

Both in the early stages of pregnancy and later, other spotting and even bleeding that is not menstruation are possible. Blood can be released from the uterus if the woman’s body rejects the fetus and placental abruption. This is very dangerous and requires immediate treatment to maintain the pregnancy and reduce the risks to the woman’s health. If a pregnant woman herself does not know that she is carrying a baby under her heart, she may mistake this bleeding for menstruation. This is dangerous with very serious consequences for herself in the event of a miscarriage. To maintain your own health and the health of your future children, you must always clearly mark the beginning of each menstruation on the calendar. This way, a woman will quickly know about pregnancy and will be able to seek medical help in time if bleeding occurs.

A two-line pregnancy test is the desire of any couple who has decided to have a child. However, in this case, desire alone is not enough; you also need to know some of the subtleties of conception.

Pregnancy can only occur when a sperm meets an egg. And if the lifespan of a male reproductive cell reaches seven days, then for a female this period is reduced to 32, or even 16 hours.

It is necessary to understand that the life clock of the egg begins immediately after ovulation - a physiological process in which a mature adult follicle ruptures in the ovary, and an egg is released into the abdominal cavity.

It is worth remembering that two ovulations per month almost never happen.

If fertilization does not occur within 16-32 hours after the release of the egg from the follicle, the female reproductive cell will be released during menstruation under the influence of the hormone progesterone.

Thus, the day after ovulation is the most favorable time for conceiving a child. This is confirmed by medical statistics, according to which conception at this time occurs in 33% of cases.

For comparison: the probability of conception if sperm enters the uterine cavity one day before ovulation is 31%, two days before ovulation - 27%, three days - 16%, four days - 14%, five days - no more than 10% .

But ovulation? In a normal monthly cycle, which lasts about 28 days, ovulation occurs approximately in the middle, that is, on approximately day 14. However, deadlines may be pushed forward or backward. In this case, you can most accurately determine the day the egg is released into the abdominal cavity using the following methods:
- measurement of rectal temperature. Before ovulation it decreases somewhat, and on the day the egg leaves the follicle it rises;
- visual observation of vaginal discharge. In the period before ovulation, vaginal discharge becomes more watery and has a consistency similar to raw egg white;
- use of ovulation tests. You can purchase such a test at almost any pharmacy. The test is based on determining luteinizing hormone in urine, which is actively produced by the female body before ovulation. Such tests also have a drawback - it is necessary to determine the level of the hormone in the urine over a fairly long period - 5-9 days;
- hardware method. Folliculometry is an ultrasound method for determining ovulation, which is currently the most accurate.

It is impossible to increase the lifespan of an egg with the help of exercises, medications and folk remedies. But in order for conception to occur more likely, you should follow some tips.

Firstly, the frequency of sexual intercourse should be increased from the moment a woman shows the first signs of ovulation - increased sexual desire, pain in the lower abdomen, breast swelling, change in the consistency of vaginal discharge. Secondly, you should avoid smoking and drinking large amounts of alcohol. Thirdly, try to eat less food containing caffeine and chocolate - these products impair blood circulation in the genitals. Fourth, minimize the use of medications.

Tip 11: The first signs of pregnancy immediately after conception

Pregnancy is a special period in a woman’s life. For some it is a long-awaited joy, for others it is an unpleasant surprise. Some women immediately realize that they are pregnant, others take a long time to determine their situation.

There are a number of signs by which a woman can determine the onset of pregnancy almost immediately. However, it is worth remembering that they are very conditional and depend on the individual characteristics of each woman’s body.

Conventionally, the first signs of pregnancy are usually divided into three groups: presumptive, probable and reliable. Immediately after conception, pregnancy symptoms are usually tentative, or doubtful, as they are also called. It is important to remember that they can also be indicators of certain diseases of the female genital area.

The first signs that a woman is pregnant include bloody vaginal discharge. They may appear approximately 6 days after conception. However, this does not always happen, and can be a symptom, for example, of cervical erosion. By the way, if there is erosion with the onset of pregnancy, there may also be similar discharge.

The breast is an organ that will help a woman determine the onset of pregnancy. Shortly after conception, women's breasts become more sensitive. There is regular swelling of the mammary glands, pain in the chest appears as before menstruation.

Pregnancy is a serious stress on the body, causing its restructuring. The most common symptom of pregnancy is early toxicosis. Its features are nausea, vomiting, salivation. As a rule, early toxicosis is acutely manifested in the morning. The reaction to odors often becomes painful.

When pregnancy occurs, a woman may generally feel unwell throughout her body: weakness, dizziness, increased fatigue.

Changes in taste preferences are a common symptom of pregnancy. At the same time, not only does she “crave something salty” - sometimes a woman begins to crave something exotic or something that she has never consumed before.

If a representative of the fair sex assumes that she is pregnant, she can resort to measuring basal temperature. Due to the hormonal surge, it remains elevated after conception for several weeks.

Delay is perhaps the most popular of the suspected signs of pregnancy. However, he can only be trusted if the woman has a regular cycle.

The onset of pregnancy leaves its mark on the digestive system of the expectant mother. Flatulence occurs, and constipation may become more frequent. A constant urge to go to the toilet can also be an indicator of pregnancy.

Later, the situation will change - the fluid will begin to be removed from the body more slowly, causing swelling of the limbs.

If there are at least some primary signs of pregnancy, it is worth resorting to a test to determine it. It can be done even before the delay. Today they are available in abundance in every pharmacy. However, it is worth understanding that the test does not provide a 100% guarantee of an “interesting” situation. Only a doctor, after examination and tests, can confidently tell a woman: “You will have a child.”

Every girl knows that menstruation is a sign that conception has not occurred. But it’s worth remembering that every girl’s body reacts differently to pregnancy, so you can expect many surprises. Many people are alarmed by the fact that symptoms of pregnancy exist, but at the same time, periods do not stop and proceed as usual. Could this be possible? Is it possible to be pregnant if you are menstruating? The answer to such questions can be found in this article.

Why do you get periods during pregnancy?

To understand why menstruation began during pregnancy, you need to know the structure of a woman’s body. The uterus contains a wall that consists of three layers. The first layer is the inner one. The second layer is the endometrium, which makes up the uterine cavity. The third layer is the mucous membrane, which consists of blood vessels. The menstrual cycle lasts one month, and in the middle of it the endometrium begins to grow, which prepares the uterus for bearing a fetus.

The woman's ovaries then release a follicle containing a mature egg. When the follicle begins to grow, it produces estrogen. Under his work, the inner cover of the uterus increases. When favorable days arrive for successful conception, that is, ovulation, a temporary gland and corpus luteum appear at the site of the follicle, which produces progesterone.

Progesterone prepares the endometrium for early conception, and also has the ability to maintain pregnancy and prevent rejection of the fertilized egg. When conception does not occur, after a few weeks the corpus luteum becomes smaller and the amount of progesterone decreases. The iron takes on the appearance of scar tissue and disappears after some time.

Then, due to the fact that the amount of the hormone progesterone has decreased, the mucous layer of the uterus begins to peel off, in which the embryo was supposed to grow and develop. When sloughing occurs in the uterus, it opens up blood vessels that are partially destroyed. As a result, a woman can observe the onset of her critical days.

When conception occurs and a girl becomes pregnant, the corpus luteum expands and increases the amount of progesterone. In this way, a girl can completely protect her pregnancy and bear a healthy child. When your period starts during pregnancy, it means that the ovaries are not working well. The amount of production of the necessary hormones is not enough to fully develop the fetus. As a result, you can observe the usual onset of menstrual periods, and therefore a miscarriage occurs.

Due to hormonal imbalances, girls often menstruate during pregnancy. Many doctors believe that this phenomenon will not affect the development of pregnancy and the birth of a child, but this may be the first sign of pathologies in mother and child. When a woman observes bloody discharge during pregnancy, she should quickly consult a doctor or call an ambulance, as this is a sign of a miscarriage.

The main symptoms indicating pregnancy

To independently determine the presence of such a phenomenon as pregnancy, pay attention to the signals that the body gives us. These symptoms are based on changes in hormones and the individual characteristics of the body as a whole.

It happens that suspicions of successful fertilization may arise early or not be detected at all.

The whole point lies in the level of such a pregnancy hormone as hCG. As it increases, changes begin to occur, mood may change, strange taste preferences appear, and even pregnancy may lead to menstruation, which is normal implantation bleeding.

As for such a method of determination as a home pregnancy test, it is worth noting that the later you do it, the more reliable the result will be. This is due to the fact that the hCG hormone helps determine pregnancy, and after fertilization it increases every day.

Is it possible to have periods during pregnancy?

To decide on the question of how to find out whether pregnancy is possible during menstruation, it is worth remembering what the entire reproductive path in a woman’s body consists of.

At a certain period of time per month, one or more eggs mature in a woman’s body and await fertilization. But, if the meeting with the sperm does not happen, menstruation begins, during which the unused endometrium and the remains of the dead egg are released.

But, with successful fertilization, the reproductive organs begin to actively produce the pregnancy hormone progesterone. It controls the development of the embryo and promotes its active growth. Consequently, with a normal cycle, which lasts from 28 to 35 days, the possibility of menstruation is almost excluded.

If your period comes during pregnancy, what could it be?

In the event that menstruation began while carrying a child, then this phenomenon cannot be called full menstruation. If this is not associated with a biological process, then this may be a variant of the pathology of the reproductive organ. Often, bleeding during pregnancy can occur due to sudden rejection of the fertilized egg, which threatens an unforeseen spontaneous miscarriage.

Therefore, if you suddenly notice that while carrying a child you suddenly had periods, then you should urgently consult a doctor for advice in order to exclude the possibility of the occurrence of one or another pathology or the loss of the long-awaited child.

During pregnancy, bleeding is often observed due to the fact that the blood of the expectant mother contains little of the hormone progesterone. Consequently, this threatens miscarriage and this condition must be corrected with the help of drugs that contain this hormone.

If no measures are taken, the uterus will begin to reject the embryo and everything will end in severe bleeding and rejection of the fetus. But, if you seek help in a timely manner, such a threat is suspended, and the mother continues to lead a normal lifestyle. Sometimes, in the most severe conditions, a woman is recommended to spend the entire period until the birth of the baby in a hospital.

Cases are often recorded when, being pregnant for a short time, a woman notices heavy bleeding, which is accompanied by nagging pain. This may indicate that an ectopic pregnancy is developing in the body, which can be dangerous both for the reproductive and general health of the woman, and for her life. If you managed to get pregnant ectopically, you should consult a doctor so that he can quickly terminate the pregnancy. Only a highly qualified specialist knows how to identify and eliminate this phenomenon without consequences.

In the case of multiple pregnancy, there is a possibility that a woman may have her period in an interesting position. Thus, if blood can come, then there is a possibility that one of the fertilized eggs is being rejected from the uterine wall.

How to determine that pregnancy has occurred if you are menstruating?

Whether menstruation can occur during pregnancy depends both on the characteristics of the female body and on whether the woman has any pathology of the reproductive system.

The following symptoms may indicate that a woman is pregnant:

• presence of toxicosis. Nausea may indicate that conception has occurred;
• if discharge may occur during a long-awaited pregnancy, then you can measure the basal temperature in the rectal area;
• How to find out if you are pregnant can be determined by the abundance of discharge. In most cases, such blood smears are scanty;
• The woman's breasts increase significantly and become very sensitive.

All these signs can help a woman independently determine the presence of pregnancy during menstruation. This can happen often, so you should initially listen to the body’s signals.

In the event that deviations from the norm are recorded, it is worth seeking help from a specialist who will help solve all the problems that have arisen.

During pregnancy, transformations occur in a woman’s body at different levels - hormonal, physiological, emotional. After conceiving a child, the body begins to “work” in a new way, but some expectant mothers may also notice such a familiar phenomenon as menstruation. In 15% of women, periods during pregnancy appear in the first weeks. In the absence of alarming signs and supervision by a doctor, they do not pose a threat to the baby. We will tell you whether pregnant women have periods, normal variations, and dangerous symptoms that cannot be ignored.

Conceiving a child and menstruation

The uterus has three layers, the inner functional and most mobile is the endometrium. By the time of ovulation, its thickness increases, and its structure becomes looser - so that in the event of fertilization, the conditions for consolidation and further growth of the embryo are ideal. If conception does not occur in the current cycle, under the influence of the hormone GnRH, the menstrual phase begins, during which the endometrium is rejected, and along with its detachment, small vessels that connect it with other layers of the uterus “tear.” The appearance of menstrual bleeding is associated with this process. If after ovulation in the luteal phase the egg meets the sperm, then the further development of the cycle follows a different path: the endometrium is strengthened and is not rejected. Menstruation does not begin, and this is the sign that most often indicates the onset of conception.

Periods are an important part of the menstrual cycle

Can I get my period during pregnancy? Yes, in exceptional cases, this condition does not pose a threat to the mother and fetus, but the appearance of spotting with a positive pregnancy test can also be an alarming symptom.

Can you have periods during pregnancy: when there is no need to worry

There are several conditions when you can have periods in the very early stages of pregnancy. Among them:

• late ovulation;
• fertilization of one of the two eggs;
• hormonal disbalance.

Delayed ovulation

If the dominant follicle matures not in the middle of the cycle, but in its second half, then the egg will be released from it much later. After sexual intercourse, sperm remain viable in a woman’s body for 3-7 days, in exceptional cases - up to 14 days. From the moment of germ cell fusion until final implantation, it can take up to 5-10 days. Accordingly, if ovulation occurs later than usual, then menstruation may occur during the “journey” of the fertilized egg through the fallopian tubes. With this development of pregnancy, menstruation will occur at the very beginning and should not be repeated in the following months.

Ovulation may begin late in the cycle

If only 1 egg is fertilized

Double ovulation is a relatively rare phenomenon. With it, maturation of two dominant follicles in one or different ovaries is observed within one cycle. In the corresponding phase, 2 eggs are released. If unprotected sexual intercourse took place or assisted reproductive technology such as artificial insemination was used, then both oocytes or one of them can be fertilized. If the sperm has merged with only one egg, then while it moves into the uterine cavity, the second can be removed along with menstrual blood when the endometrium is rejected. In the case of such a pregnancy, menstruation occurs only in the early stages. If spotting appears after the 4th week, you should seek medical help as soon as possible.

Hormone imbalance

All phases of the menstrual cycle, as well as each week of a child's intrauterine development, are regulated by different hormones. If there are disruptions in their production, deviations from the norm are observed - such as, for example, menstruation during pregnancy. Most often, this problem is caused by hyperandrogenism - an increase in the level of androgens in a woman. This condition often coincides with weak progesterone production, against the background of which, even after conception and implantation, discharge similar to menstruation can be observed. They, unlike regular menstrual ones, are scanty, brown, spotty in nature and can last for weeks. With high-quality medical supervision, this phenomenon is not dangerous for the baby and the expectant mother. If there is no threat to the development of the embryo, the doctor may recommend leaving this phenomenon without intervention. Sometimes auxiliary drugs, for example, Duphaston, may be prescribed for treatment. In any case, it is absolutely impossible to ignore spotting in the early stages or take medications on your own without permission - this can be dangerous for both the child and the woman.

Due to hormonal imbalances, menstruation may occur during pregnancy

Conditional factors that can cause discharge similar to menstruation during pregnancy include mechanical irritations. Examination by a doctor using mirrors, checking the tone of the cervix in later stages, sexual intercourse, taking smears - these and other actions often cause superficial damage to the mucous membrane of the vagina or cervix. As a result, a spotting discharge appears - as a rule, it is extremely scanty, bloody or brown. Scarlet and bright red marks on underwear or panty liners are a reason for emergency hospitalization.

Those who are interested in whether menstruation can occur during pregnancy should understand: spotting in the first trimester requires medical attention. If this is the norm, consulting a doctor will not take much time. If such a symptom signals a threatening condition, thanks to early intervention it will be possible to save the child and avoid delayed negative consequences.

Why do menstruation occur during pregnancy: washing the fetus or a threat?

“Fetal washing” is a common term used for periods during pregnancy. The main problem of the condition in which the expectant mother notices spotting is the impossibility of independently determining its cause. In some cases, symptoms may be caused by hormonal imbalance or late conception, while in others such signs indicate serious and dangerous problems.

Washing the fetus can be a dangerous symptom

Detachment of the ovum

Among the most common causes of interruption of embryo development in the early stages and fading of pregnancy in the first trimester is detachment of the ovum. It occurs for various reasons - with insufficient thickness of the uterine mucosa, endometrial diseases, the presence of scars and adhesions, tumors and inflammation, critical physical activity and severe emotional stress. Abruption in the earliest stages can occur without severe pain, but when the fertilized egg “comes off” from the inner wall of the uterus, the vessels connecting them are inevitably damaged. The result is bright red bloody discharge, thinner than during menstruation. If the fact of pregnancy is confirmed and such a symptom appears, you need to call an ambulance as quickly as possible. In the initial stages of abruption, pregnancy can be saved if you go for preservation in a timely manner and strictly follow the doctor’s instructions.

Placental abruption

A similar mechanism occurs in placental abruption, but this condition most often occurs in the second and third trimester. This complication occurs due to vascular pathologies, blood clotting disorders, and mechanical factors. Injuries (blows or falls), hormonal diseases and bad habits increase the risk of its development. When even a small part of the placenta is detached, bleeding begins, which is life-threatening for the child and the woman. At a long stage of pregnancy, menstruation cannot begin, therefore, when such an alarming symptom appears - regardless of the intensity, color and presence of accompanying painful sensations - you need to call an ambulance.

At the first symptoms of detachment, you need to call an ambulance

Ectopic pregnancy

Another pathology that is accompanied by discharge similar to menstruation during pregnancy is ectopic implantation of the embryo. It has a lot of prerequisites, but in more than 80% of cases it develops due to problems with the fallopian tubes. Inflammation of the appendages, adhesions and scars, neoplasms and hormonal disorders prevent the normal advancement of the fertilized egg into the uterine cavity. The embryo can implant itself in a tube or in an ovary, in a rudimentary horn with a bicornuate uterus, or, in extremely rare cases, in the abdominal cavity. Since only the endometrium is suitable for fetal development, other soft tissues begin to be damaged as the embryo grows. When tension and rupture occur, bleeding occurs. It can hardly be confused with harmless periods during pregnancy: damage to internal organs and internal bleeding are always accompanied by severe pain. This condition requires immediate hospitalization and a relatively long recovery period.

Frozen pregnancy

As a rule, expectant mothers register with the antenatal clinic and begin to closely monitor the development of pregnancy at 7-8 weeks, and sometimes after the 10th. The problem is that in the very early stages the risk of such a complication as a frozen pregnancy is greatest. It has a different nature. These may be chromosomal pathologies, when due to genetic defects the fetus is not viable. Another prerequisite is a hormonal imbalance, in which, for example, progesterone is produced in insufficient quantities or the so-called corpus luteum functions poorly. There are also “mechanical” factors: overexertion, injury, critically high temperature due to illness. In any case, if the embryo has stopped developing, hormones will gradually begin to return to “pre-pregnancy” levels, and the endometrium, along with the fertilized egg, will begin to be rejected. The result is bloody discharge, which is sometimes accompanied by nagging and spasmodic pain, weakness and dizziness. In the case of such symptoms, hospitalization is required; the woman may be prescribed curettage and recommended to stay in the hospital for several days for treatment and recovery after surgery.

Discharge during a frozen pregnancy is similar to menstrual discharge

Can pregnancy occur with periods?

As mentioned above, with late ovulation, pregnancy can begin immediately after menstruation. While the “old” endometrium is being shed, the fertilized egg can slowly move into the uterine cavity. It is implanted in a new cycle, although it matured in the previous one. The development of such a pregnancy will be the same as in “standard” cases. The only caveat is that it may be difficult to accurately calculate the obstetric and gestational age, as well as calculate the expected date of birth. In any case, in addition to the expectant mother’s answers about the date of the last menstruation, which serves as a kind of “starting point” for pregnancy, the doctor can be guided by the results of a manual examination and the level of hCG in a blood test when determining the period. In addition, the age of the embryo can be calculated using ultrasound - based on the size of the embryo and uterus.

Is it possible to be pregnant if you've missed your period?

For many women, especially those married or in a stable relationship with one partner, the calendar method is the most convenient method of contraception. Its essence is the minimum probability of unplanned conception of a child during menstrual bleeding and in the first days after its end. This approach also has a medical basis: in the vast majority of cases, in the first phase of the cycle, the follicle with the egg matures in the ovary, and at the same time the endometrium, which was not useful in the previous cycle, is exfoliated. Simply put, sperm will have nothing to fertilize. But in the event of a hormonal imbalance or due to individual characteristics of the body, late ovulation may occur in the previous cycle, or two eggs will mature in both ovaries at different rates. If we add to this possible fact that sperm remain viable in a woman’s body for several days, then the possibility of pregnancy during menstruation still remains.

You can get pregnant on any day of your cycle

By the way, during menstruation, the cervix softens for faster removal of the endometrial mucosa. It becomes more sensitive and vulnerable to various types of bacteria and infections. The situation is aggravated by a decrease in local immunity. This is why many doctors recommend abstaining from sexual intercourse in the first days or throughout the entire period of menstrual bleeding.

• Any atypical discharge during pregnancy, regardless of duration, is a reason to immediately consult a doctor.
• If dark red or scarlet marks appear on underwear or a sanitary pad, a pregnant woman should call an ambulance.
• An ambulance should be called if the bleeding is accompanied by acute “dagger” pain, dizziness or weakness, all of these are symptoms of internal bleeding.
• You should not take any measures or buy medications without consulting your doctor.
• If menstruation during pregnancy is not pathological in nature, you should pay maximum attention to personal hygiene to avoid genital and urinary tract infections.

The symptoms of the birth of a new life and the approaching menstruation are very similar. And most women begin to suspect that they will soon become mothers when they do not have “critical days.” However, sometimes it is possible pregnancy through menstruation, signs which every lady should know.
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If a woman needs to find out whether she is in an “interesting position” despite the fact that menstruation has begun, there are the following signs for this:

1. Positive pregnancy test. A little more than a week after conception, the expectant mother's body produces a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin. And menstrual bleeding is not only not an obstacle to the test, but can also give a real result. It is better to use the first portion of urine obtained in the morning (the vagina should be covered with a tampon). You should drink less water the night before, and also ensure hygiene of the genital organ and test container before the procedure.
2. Basal temperature exceeding 37 degrees, which does not subside for several weeks.
3. The presence of toxicosis (heartburn, vomiting, nausea, weakness throughout the body, dizziness, increased formation of gases in the intestines).
4. Frequent desire to go to the toilet.
5. Increased discharge levels, including thrush.
6. The chest becomes engorged and hurts.
7. Mood swings occur.
8. There is a change in appetite.
9. The lower abdomen begins to hurt.

Many ladies are sure that it is impossible to get pregnant three days before the “critical days”, during them and in the first 7 days after their end. However, gynecologists say that this can still happen if you do not protect yourself. Even ovulation tests and other methods of identifying safe days do not guarantee that conception will not occur. The statistics are as follows: 17% of women became pregnant by having unprotected intercourse in the first days after menstruation.

Most often, conception occurs on days 12-15 of the cycle, but it can also occur several days before the end of menstruation, when an egg is released from the ovary due to stress, illness or other reasons, which can be fertilized. However, pregnancy rarely occurs at the beginning of the “critical days” due to heavy bleeding and a negative environment for sperm.

In the case of a short menstrual cycle (from 22 to 24 days), ovulation can occur in the last few days of the monthly bleeding, especially if it lasts 7-8 days. Because of this, representatives of the fair half of humanity who have an unstable or short cycle should use not a calendar method of contraception, but some other one (you can consult a gynecologist). Women with a normal cycle become pregnant less often after menstruation due to the lack of spontaneous ovulation. However, they need to keep in mind that a trip to another country, as well as a change in climate or time zone, can change hormonal levels and lead to an unwanted pregnancy.

If the pregnancy is between 4 and 5 weeks, doctors believe that menstrual bleeding is acceptable. This happens because conception occurred in the middle of the cycle, but after that the egg has not yet reached the reproductive organ. That is, two weeks have not passed, the level of hormones is the same, and so the usual “critical days” have appeared. In the new month this no longer happens.

Nowadays, stable hormonal levels in women are rare, so there are women who are pregnant, but their periods do not come for another 3-4 months. Medicine also knows cases when two eggs mature at the same time, but only one is fertilized, and the other is rejected, causing menstruation.

Bleeding from the vagina may indicate that the embryo is attaching to the uterine wall and causing implantation bleeding (the endometrium lining the uterus separates and leaves the female body). Moreover, pregnancy at this time can be interrupted due to strong contraction of the muscles of the reproductive organ and bleeding. And if at the same time the fertilized egg takes root, then the lady will still think that she is having normal menstruation. However, after the end of menstruation, the symptoms of the development of new life in a woman’s body may become more obvious.

Here are some signs of pregnancy that may be noticeable a few days after your period:

1. Scarcity of menstrual flow. They also turn brown, look like daub, and disappear quickly. This “bleeding” can occur for several months until a large belly with a moving baby inside is clearly visible.
2. Swelling and tenderness of the breast, pain in it. Veins become more noticeable. The areolas become darker, and later Montgomery's nodules (sweat glands that have increased in size) form on them. This is how the mammary glands begin to prepare to produce milk.
3. Changing food preferences. The desire to eat something special (strawberries, chocolate, pickled cucumber) becomes irresistible. The feeling of hunger does not leave, even at night a pregnant woman can eat until she feels full.
4. State of depression, lethargy, irritability, fatigue. I want to sleep all the time.
5. Possible constipation.
6. Increased susceptibility to infectious diseases as the immune system is suppressed. Because of this, colds often occur and the nose gets stuffy.
7. Pimples and acne appear.
8. Sensation of metallic taste in the mouth.
9. Swelling of the limbs appears.
10. Decreased libido.

If these signs are detected, you can measure your basal temperature for several days; how to correctly measure your basal temperature When it is 37 degrees or more, the likelihood of an “interesting situation” is high. But this method is not very reliable, because errors and non-compliance with measurement rules are possible. Therefore, a test should be used (pharmacies sell a wide range of such products).

After which you need to contact the antenatal clinic, where the gynecologist:

• Examines the patient on the chair;
• Will issue a referral for blood donation to determine the level of human chorionic gonadotropin;
• Prescribe an ultrasound examination.

All women should keep in mind that if pregnancy symptoms do not disappear with the arrival of menstruation, then a test must be done. If the pain in the lower part of the abdominal cavity becomes stronger and the discharge turns red again, you should immediately call an ambulance or consult your doctor, as situations leading to miscarriage are possible:

1. Violation of the female body's production of the hormone progesterone;
2. Ectopic pregnancy;
3. Unsuccessful attachment of the fetus due to fibroids or endometriosis in the expectant mother;
4. Anomalies of intrauterine development of a child;
5. High levels of male hormones;
6. First, two embryos appeared, but one of them develops in accordance with the norm, and the second is rejected by the woman’s body for some reason.

If you have regular periods, but have doubts, it is better to visit a gynecologist after the end of menstruation.

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First of all, I want women to confirm to themselves that menstruation during pregnancy, In the literal sense of the word, not possible by definition. Yes, there are situations when bleeding during pregnancy occurs around the time when a woman should have started her period, however, firstly, most often their character is very different from normal menstruation, which suggests something is wrong, and secondly, when In any case, this is a deviation from the norm, which means it requires consultation with a doctor.

The situation is complicated by the fact that menstruation during early pregnancy misinforms the woman, which is why she may not even be aware of her pregnancy. Especially if menstruation during pregnancy and a negative test are combined. That is why from time to time situations arise when women do not know about their interesting situation until they are 3-4 months old. But situations are not uncommon when early diagnosis of pregnancy is a decisive factor in its preservation.

To understand why menstruation in the usual interpretation and pregnancy are not compatible, it is enough to recall the basic knowledge of anatomy that we were all given at school, but most women have already forgotten it, as it seems to them, as unnecessary.

The uterus consists of three layers: an outer mucous layer, a middle layer consisting of smooth muscle, and an inner mucous layer. Each of these layers performs its own function. For example, the myometrium, a muscle layer, protects the fetus from external influences, and also actively participates in the birth process, pushing the baby out with its contractions.

The most mobile and changeable layer of the uterus is called the endometrium. It increases during the first half of the cycle. The purpose of thickening the endometrium is to maintain pregnancy until the formation of the placenta, if one occurs. Implantation of the fertilized egg occurs in the mucous membrane.

Menstruation is the complete rejection of the endometrium if pregnancy does not occur. Mucus, along with blood from damaged blood vessels, leaves the body, and the process repeats from the very beginning. The simplest logical calculations will lead us to the natural conclusion that complete rejection of the endometrium during pregnancy will lead to miscarriage, since it will also capture the newly implanted fertilized egg.

So it turns out that the questions “Do you have periods during pregnancy?” and “How are periods during pregnancy?” They simply have no meaning, since menstruation is impossible during pregnancy. It is much more logical to talk about bleeding during pregnancy, and this is in most cases an alarming signal.

Are periods always dangerous during pregnancy?

In most cases, but fortunately not always. Yes, periods during early pregnancy are always a deviation from the norm, but they do not always threaten the health of the mother and child; in some cases, the situation is absolutely safe. The simplest and safest reason for bleeding for a period of several weeks is the period implantation of fertilized egg. This process may be accompanied by damage to blood vessels, and hence spotting from the vagina. However, implantation can take place without any symptoms such as bleeding.

Scanty periods during pregnancy can also occur in a number of other cases that do not harm the body. For example, if a fertilized egg didn't have time to implant into the mucous layer before the onset of menstruation. This process takes 7 to 15 days, so delays are possible, although extremely rare. There are no hormonal changes at this stage yet, which means there is no cancellation of menstrual bleeding. And the delay occurs only for the next cycle. A month later than it should be. In rare cases, two eggs mature in different ovaries at the same time or almost simultaneously. If one of them is fertilized, and the second is rejected, then menstruation occurs during pregnancy.

Another reason why menstruation is possible during pregnancy: various hormonal imbalances. For example, a lack of progesterone or an excess of androgens, male hormones. Both of them, up to a certain point, do not threaten pregnancy if they do not cross specific boundaries. In more complex cases, the consequences may be more serious. Fortunately, both are easily corrected by taking hormonal medications, but require timely consultation with a doctor. It is dangerous to “prescribe” these drugs to yourself.

Pathologies that cause menstruation during pregnancy

Depending on what kind of menstruation occurs during pregnancy, a variety of diagnoses can be made, and they are not always insignificant. In the early stages, bleeding most often indicates detachment of the fertilized egg, and, as a consequence, threatened miscarriage.

If the detachment is small, then the body will most likely cope with the situation on its own by increasing the production of progesterone to maintain pregnancy. In this case, the discharge will be scanty, most likely spotting. There may be no other symptoms. In more complex and dangerous cases, painful, heavy periods may occur during pregnancy. Such symptoms should be a reason for immediate visiting a doctor, as well as compliance bed rest and complete peace. Compliance or non-compliance with the last rule can be decisive in the matter of saving the pregnancy, so it should not be neglected.

Unfortunately, many women treat this recommendation condescendingly, considering light fussing around the house an analogue of bed rest: and really, how can you lie in bed if your husband comes home from work hungry in the evening? In fact, even a light jog with a broom can become a critical load in the event of a threatened miscarriage. That is why they try to hospitalize patients with this diagnosis, which ensures that women comply with bed rest.

Detachment of the ovum can be caused by a variety of reasons. For example, neoplasms on the myometrium, the muscular layer of the uterus, or a focus of endometriosis, if attachment occurs precisely in the affected area. This causes a lack of oxygen in the fetus and death.

Genetic disorders or significant pathological changes in the fetus as a result of intrauterine diseases, most often infectious, can also cause a miscarriage. In this case, it will most likely not be possible to save the pregnancy; all that remains is to examine the rejected fetus and try to avoid similar situations in the future.

Another very deplorable diagnosis, due to which some women have periods during pregnancy, is ectopic pregnancy. In this case, implantation of the fertilized egg occurs not in the uterus, but in the fallopian tube. As the embryo grows, it begins to run out of space, and as a result, the tube may rupture, which threatens the woman’s life, as internal bleeding occurs. Even if death can be avoided, which is very likely, the woman’s reproductive functions will be truncated, since the ruptured fallopian tube cannot be restored.

If a woman and her gynecologist suspect an ectopic pregnancy, the patient is immediately sent for an ultrasound examination to clarify the diagnosis, and if it is confirmed, then urgent surgical intervention is necessary. Previously, we were talking about abdominal surgery, but now ectopic pregnancy is removed by laparoscopy. This procedure involves three small punctures, through one of which a video camera is inserted into the abdominal cavity, through the rest - manipulators, with their help the fertilized egg is removed.

Laparoscopy is a much more gentle procedure than abdominal surgery. The rehabilitation period after this procedure is approximately 2 times less. Already on the second day, the woman will be able to stand up independently. The time of forced abstinence from food is also reduced. And purely aesthetically, three small, almost imperceptible scars from laparoscopy are much better than an incision across the entire abdomen.

What are the dangers of menstruation during pregnancy?

It is not difficult to guess that menstruation itself during pregnancy (with a positive test) does not pose a danger, except in cases where it is a case of really heavy bleeding that threatens serious blood loss. In most cases, the causes of menstruation during pregnancy are dangerous.

As in most other cases, a woman will not be able to make a diagnosis on her own, without consulting a gynecologist. Although he tries very often: he consults with friends, looks through thematic forums, and wastes time. Unfortunately, in some cases this ends disastrously for the woman’s pregnancy and health.

That is why both pregnant women and women who have not yet encountered pregnancy need to be attentive to their body. Any changes in the menstrual cycle, the nature of menstruation, consistency, abundance, and so on, may be a cause for concern. It makes sense to urgently seek consultation to clarify the diagnosis.

I would like to repeat once again: it doesn’t matter why you have periods during pregnancy, in any case it is necessary to get examined by a doctor as early as possible. The sooner a diagnosis is made and treatment is started, the greater the chance of maintaining the pregnancy.

And, even if the doctor does not find any cause for concern, he will at least reassure the pregnant woman. She will know for sure that nothing bad is happening to her, and all changes are absolutely safe. But the expectant mother does not need unnecessary worries and stress.

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