Bleeding During Late Pregnancy

Bleeding can also occur during your second trimester and third trimester. Again, this bleeding is not your period, but is a result of other causes.

Bleeding may be a sign of early or preterm labor. If accompanied by contractions or cramps, go to your doctor to find out what's going on. Miscarriage, or stillbirth, is still a possibility at the later stages of pregnancy, however it is less likely. If you are bleeding a lot, see your health care provider or go to the hospital just to be sure. More often, bleeding in the second and third trimesters is caused by an infection in your cervix.

Yeast infections and some sexually transmitted diseases can inflame the cervix causing light spotting or bleeding. Your health care provider can perform a simple exam to determine the cause of infection. If you are experiencing bleeding during the later stages of pregnancy, try not to worry and remain calm. It is important to visit with your doctor or midwife to have a checkup and get to the bottom of any problems. Most bleeding can be solved without any harm to you or your baby.