EARLY PREGNANCY PAIN & BLEEDING _ 🔺Bleeding and/or pain in the first 3 months of pregnancy is common and does not always mean there is a problem and many women go on to have a healthy baby. However, if you experience any of these symptoms it is important you get medical help from your midwife, GP or local hospital as it may be a sign of potential pregnancy complications. 🔺There can be several causes and a healthcare professional will take a full history from you, and may recommend a speculum/vaginal examination, blood tests and/or an ultrasound scan to check on your pregnancy. 🔺If you have pain or bleeding but an ultrasound scan confirms your pregnancy is okay this is termed a Threatened Miscarriage and you will be advised to monitor your symptoms and report any changes. 🔺Sadly, sometimes pain and bleeding can be the sign of an early miscarriage. Early miscarriage can affect 1 in 4 women and in most cases it is not possible to give a reason. Most couples will go on to have a successful pregnancy in the future. 🔺Unfortunately, 1 in 90 pregnancies grow outside of the womb. This is called an ectopic pregnancy and this condition may also present with pain and/or bleeding. An ectopic pregnancy can be more serious to your health and is usually diagnosed after you have had an ultrasound scan. 🔺Sometimes, it is not possible to determine exactly what is going on at your first appointment with a healthcare professional and they may recommend repeat blood tests or ultrasound scans to monitor your progress and symptoms over a period of days or weeks. 🔺Whatever the cause you should feel able to ask questions and if you need more information the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Patient Info leaflets can be very useful. _ Repost from @maternitymedic _ #earlypregnancy #gynaecology #bleeding #pain #earlypregnancyloss #miscarriageawareness #ectopicpregnancy #pregnancy #womenshealth #pregnant #firsttrimester #pregnancytest #lmp #miscarriagesupport #gynaecologist #obgyn #gynae #health #medicine #doctor #maternity #pregnancyblog #pregnancyhealth #pregnancyadvice #miscarriageassociation #earlypregnancysymptoms #ectopicpregnancyawareness