As someone who experienced a fair amount of bleeding in the first trimester of pregnancy, I wanted to share my thoughts on the topic. The good news is both of my pregnancies had bleeding in the first trimester and both pregnancies resulted in healthy babies.
Having been through the stress of seeing blood quite a bit in my first trimester. In this article I will try to make sense of it all and share when it really is a cause for concern.
DISCLAIMER: This article details my personal experience with bleeding in first trimester pregnancy. This is not medical advice and any concerns should be discussed with your physician.
How Much Blood?
The first thing you might notice if you have bleeding in the first trimester is how much you are bleeding. Is it just a little bit of spotting on the toilet paper? Or, are you needing to wear a pad.
The less blood you see the better, but even if you require a pad it does not mean a miscarriage is inevitable. For reference, the bleeding I experienced was mostly spotting. However, there were a few days I needed a pad or had quite a bit of blood on the toilet paper when I went to the bathroom.
Color Of The Blood
The color of the blood you see is an indication of how old the blood is. If the blood is fresh it will be bright red or pink.
If it’s not fresh blood it will be more brown in color. In my case, most of the spotting I had was bright red, so it was fresh blood.
What Causes Bleeding In First Trimester Pregnancy?
There are a whole bunch of things that can cause bleeding in first trimester of pregnancy. But don’t be concerned if your doctor cannot determine the cause.
It’s annoying to not know why, but as long as everything else looks normal with your pregnancy then it doesn’t really matter. This was the case for me, the cause of my bleeding was never determined. And I ended up with 3 healthy children, which is all I can ask for.
Pregnancy Bleeding When Carrying Multiples
Being a twin mom, I was made aware that having twins or higher order multiples puts you at higher risk for breakthrough bleeding during pregnancy. I was actually surprised that I experienced a similar amount of bleeding when I was pregnant with my singleton. Even though my experience was different, being pregnant with multiples could be a reason for bleeding in first trimester pregnancy.
Infertility Medication
Since I did IVF to become pregnant with my twins, I needed to take progesterone to maintain the pregnancy. At first I was using progesterone suppositories.
This means I would insert a progesterone pill inside my vagina once a day. When I reported bleeding, my fertility doctors did an ultrasound.
Thank goodness they determined the babies were fine and had heartbeats. At first, I continued with the progesterone suppositories, but the bleeding seemed to be getting worse.
I was so nervous to be bleeding everyday the doctors said I could switch to getting a daily progesterone injection in my lower back. I decided to go this route since I was extremely stressed.
This meant my husband injected me each night with progesterone. By switching to the shot I continued to experience bleeding, but it was not as severe as before.
Bleeding With Twins Versus A Singleton
Surprisingly, bleeding in first trimester pregnancy was similar for both my twin pregnancy and singleton pregnancy. One good thing, the bleeding didn’t cause as much stress for me during my second pregnancy. Additionally, I did not do IVF or any fertility treatments to become pregnant the second time.
Ultrasounds
The first time I reported spotting to my fertility doctors I was given an ultrasound to confirm the pregnancy was still viable. I was eventually transferred from my fertility doctor to the OB/GYN around 8-10 weeks pregnant.
I reported the bleeding / spotting to the OB as well. It was interesting that the OB was much more concerned with the bleeding than the fertility clinic.
I received an ultrasound at the OB as well and again everything looked good. It was definitely crazy to have so many ultrasounds during the first trimester, but at least it was comforting to know the pregnancy was still developing as it should.
Causes For Concern
The biggest thing I learned about bleeding in first trimester of pregnancy, was there is much less cause for concern if cramping does not accompany the bleeding. In my case, I never had much cramping at all.
What To Do If You See Blood
There was one time in each of my pregnancies I felt the need to call the OB for help because the bleeding had become heavier than the spotting I was used to seeing. Not to be too graphic, but both times a large amount of blood was in the toilet after using the bathroom. Both times I received the same answer, if you are only bleeding and no cramping is associated with it, it will probably be okay.
Additionally, I was instructed to lay down and rest. I did this, and by the next day, the bleeding returned to the spotting I was used to seeing. I never experienced any cramping during these episodes. The doctor also told me that if the bleeding got heavier and I started cramping to call him back.
Will The Bleeding Stop?
One big question is when will the bleeding stop? I know I asked my doctors this and was told it could stop tomorrow or it could last the entire pregnancy. Really comforting, I know. I will share that my spotting slowed down near the end of the first trimester and was completely gone early into the second trimester.
When To Get More Help
Should you call the doctor? Go to the emergency room? If you are having a miscarriage, the emergency room will not be able to stop it.
For regular business hours, call your doctor. If it’s off hours and you go to a practice with an on call number, I think it is best to call that number.
You can talk to a doctor directly, tell him or her what’s going on. The doctor will be able to advise if an emergency room visit is necessary.
That’s just my tip on what I would do. If you can avoid having to hang out in the emergency room and get some answers to your questions over the phone, that’s probably the best option.
What’s Next?
Bleeding in first trimester pregnancy is never fun. It can lead to a lot of stress and worry over the viability of your pregnancy. If cramping does not accompany the bleeding that’s a very encouraging sign. If you are ever concerned about bleeding in pregnancy, call your doctor and get guidance.
More Pregnancy Help
One more thing before I go. Some people that end up on this post, arrived here because they are pregnant with twins and have had some sort of bleeding. Or, they are wondering if the bleeding they are seeing is caused from being pregnant with twins. If you are pregnant with twins, you should definitely click this link to grab (3) FREE Twin Pregnancy Checklists.
On the other hand, if you are pregnant (and either not having twins or having twins), go ahead and get this FREE printable Pregnancy Journal. Track your pregnancy each week and create a beautiful book of pregnancy memories. Just click the button below to get it.
Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy!
Thank you for sharing this post! It gives me hope.
Good luck with everything and I’m glad it was helpful.
Thank you for sharing this story, Jeanne. I am currently having an alarming amount of spotting, mostly rust colored but some of it bright red, though not heavy, no serious cramps and no big clots so everyone keeps saying it’s normal. I had to start wearing a pad. I was reassured when a pregnancy test this morning was still fully positive. I’m 6 weeks along and haven’t had an ultrasound yet (out of town at work but scheduled for my first appointment in 2 weeks and my doctors are aware of the spotting). I was so stressed, but reading your story has settled my mind more than anything, to be honest. Thank you.
Hi Elizabeth,
Thanks for your message and I’m glad you found the post helpful. This is the reason I wrote it because there was just nothing out there when I was going through the same thing. I really hope everything turns totally fine with your pregnancy, I know it is so stressful to deal with bleeding.
Thanks Elizabeth!
8 weeks pregnant with twins and today I saw red spotting vs my usual brown/pinkish spotting from last week. No cramping so far but will call my OB tomorrow. It makes me a little less anxious knowing it doesn’t necessarily mean the worst. Thanks again for sharing your experience.
Thank you so much for this article!! I’m 5 weeks pregnant and had some bleeding today, went to ER & we discovered 2 sacs!! No heavy cramping so feeling positive & I’m gonna take it easy, this post gives me so much hope!! Stay healthy everyone !! <3
Wow! Congratulations and I wish a very healthy pregnancy. We have a lot of twin pregnancy resources on the blog, so definitely come back and visit as you move further along in your pregnancy.
This was super helpful. I’ve been back and forth to the doctor and am 11 weeks pregnant with twins. I was pregnant with triplets but lost one so I’ve been really stressed out by the on and off again bleeding. Just hoping I make it to the second trimester maybe I’ll feel more hopeful and the bleeding will stop
Hi Skye, I’m glad you found the article helpful. I’m so sorry about the loss of one of your triplets, so hard. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy and feel free to come back and read up on the rest of our twin pregnancy and twin baby articles too.
Sorry about the loss but I want to know in triplets you lossed one or its second pregnancy because my friend is pregnant with twins but one baby is not developing so doctor suggests to abort so asking because you went through that phase.
I can’t thank you enough for sharing your experience. I just woke up and the was light spotting with no cramping. I have already had a miscarriage and a blighted ovum in the past. My ultrasound is tomorrow. You really helped to calm me down. Thanks again!
Hi Melissa, good luck and I hope you get good news tomorrow.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
I so needed this today. I’m 6 weeks pregnant from an FET and was lightly spotting today. My heart instantly jumped to my throat. This was so reassuring. You have made me calm for now ❤️
I know how stressful this is, I hope everything turns out okay.
6 weeks gone with twins the spotting still continues each time i use the rest room.
Brown colour no cramping this article puts my heart at ease.
My ultrasound is in a week..
Thanks for your comment Nelly, good luck during this stressful time. I’m glad it helped to give you hope and feel better little bit better.
Thanks for your time in writing this! I’m coming up seven weeks…7th pregnancy. Have three healthy children and three blight ovum which were hard to except. Wonder if we are having twins…I’m 41 now. Thought I was due to have another sad week with red spotting like in my previous pregnancies…but it stopped the next day and praying on Monday I will see a live little bean with a good strong heart beat…or two!
Hi Pamela, good luck with it all and I’m glad you found the article helpful.
I’m 5 weeks and been bleeding the last week, at times I will have slight mild cramps but they go away and come back periodically but nothing I feel concerned. Today is the first pay I had to put a pad on because the blood came heavier but no cramps but a little here and there. I pray that this is normal. My pregnancy test still are showing strong lines . Going to make an appointment tomorrow
Good luck with everything Tarah, I know you are going through a stressful time right now.
Hi thank you very much for sharing your story… When I was 5 weeks pregnant I was heavily bleeding with clots then I went to the doctor she told me the baby it’s fine and now iam 10 weeks 3 days yesterday I started bleeding again with clots bright red blood iam going 2 see the OB tomorrow I hope everything will go well
It’s so stressful, I hope everything turns out to be okay again.
Thank you SO much for sharing this. Everything else says blood = miscarriage or red blood = definitely not pregnant, so I was prepared for the worst. I’ve had unusual spotting for over two weeks (Weeks 4 and 5) mostly brown blood and sure enough the HCG keeps rising, so your post helped keep me calm and hopeful. I don’t even know if we are having twins. We will confirm during Week 7, but after two miscarriages and a healthy singleton pregnancy, it was so helpful to try to make sense of why I’m spotting brown and red blood (interchangeably!) daily.
I’m glad this helped you Sophia, good luck with everything!
Thank you so much!!!
I appreciate this article so much!!!!
I don’t know if I’m pregnant with twins…
But I was thinking to myself if I was would I bleed more then if I only had one baby…
So I started searching for the answer of why I am bleeding after a missed period of 5 days…. and 4 positive pregnancy tests..
(3 different brands).
I started bleeding which didn’t alarm me too much bc I thought maybe it is implantation bleeding (which i had in 2003 & 2005 with my boys who are now 17 & 18) but I didn’t have a drop of blood with my 14 month old daughter.
I had a tubal reversal April 2020 and concieved my daughter with my now husband of going on 7 years on Passover Day 2021.
I have been t.t.c since she was 6 months old and a couple days ago I missed my period so I tested and now 5 HCG tests say positive but yet I’m still bleeding it isn’t as light as implantation bleeding and isn’t heavy like a period. Its just bright red, no clots….
I had very light cramping that lasted a day…
And going on day 2 of bright red bleeding to where I need a pad…
I couldn’t find any answers of why this happens… ANYWHERE only horror stories, but I don’t feel bad or like I’m in an emergency situation.
So thank you for your story it helps alot when things like this are not talked about enough in the medical journals…. I have mostly gained greater understanding from ladies like yourself who have shared their stories.
Thank you again!
Hannah Lovewell ??
Thank you so much Hannah, I’m glad my story helped you and others. That is why I wrote this post because you just can’t find any information besides negative stories like you said. But since it was okay for me, I’m guessing there are others out there who had a similar situation. Good luck with everything!
Am currently going through this right now, I missed my period I have been a TTC for three years plus now. I did PT urine test it came out positive. But yesterday I was having a mild cramping when I pee I notice a blood on the floor, I wake up this morning still having a light bleeding , especially when I pee I will notice the blood, am seriously scared I was going through the net when I saw your blog, it gives me a little hope, I pray everything turn out well
Hi Aliyu,
I’m so sorry for all the stress you are dealing with. If you haven’t already, I would definitely call your doctor and see what they recommend you do. Good luck with it all.
Thank you.
I’m 10 weeks on Wednesday and I’m scheduled for an ultrasound the day after because I’ve been having spotting. Light pink at most, but last night it was red with brown clots so I panicked and called the nurse hotline. I have no other symptoms just the blood. Looking up all articles for good and bad results, yours is the first that provided reassurance. I don’t know if I’m having twins but it runs in my family and I didn’t bleed at all with my first child.
Thank you and wish me luck ?
I’m glad you found the post helpful. I wrote it because I found there to be a lack of information when I went through this. I hope everything turns out okay for you, I know how stressful it is.
Thanks for sharing this post .I am in the situation right now and you have given me some hope.
Good luck with everything Ronah.
I have a question did the bleeding occur during the pregnancy when your cycle was suppose to start or just periodically. I stop having a heavy period with cramps in Nov. 2022, now it has been five months of light bleeding no cramps.
Hi Lynn – my bleeding was periodically for both of my pregnancies. It did not necessarily line up with when my cycle was supposed to start.
Thankyou so much for this, I feel better,
Been spotting for a week now without pain ,am 5weeks pregnant with twins with a cyst aswel ,ultrasound shows the sacs re ok ,am on progesterone oral.
Good luck with everything throughout your pregnancy Jay! Come back and visit the blog for more twin pregnancy and twins info too.
Hi, I have signs of pregnancy like frequent urination, smell sensitivity, tiredness and many more with no missed period. I went to the clinic, pregnancy blood test says negative, ultrasound scan shows nothing at 5week. What is your advice cos am really worried over this, though I have intramural fibroids of 0.3-2.0 diameter.
Hi Jane – you need to contact your doctor to see if these symptoms are something else not related to pregnancy. Good luck.