Pregnancy

Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy, especially in the first half, is common. It might be a so-called implantation bleeding, occurring when the fertilized egg attaches to the uterus. Bleeding can also be breakthrough bleeding, indicating that the body hasn't recognized the pause in menstruation yet.

Vaginal bleeding can be entirely normal and may not signify anything serious, but it could also be a sign of miscarriage or another condition.

You don't need to seek medical care for minor bleeding before the 12th week of pregnancy. However, if you've had several minor bleedings or experience bleeding after intercourse, you can call one of our gynecology clinics to make an appointment. Usually, a gynecological examination and ultrasound are needed to determine the cause of bleeding.

If you experience heavy bleeding or bleeding accompanied by general discomfort or pain on one side of the abdomen, you should instead go to a gynecological emergency department.

During pregnancy, there's increased blood flow to the cervix, making it more prone to bleeding, such as after intercourse. Bleeding may also be due to a polyp. In most cases, bleeding is harmless and resolves on its own.

Placenta previa can cause bleeding from the vagina because it means the placenta is too low in the uterus and covers the canal where the baby should come out.

In an ectopic pregnancy, the fertilized egg attaches outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube. It cannot develop into a baby. Pain is common, usually low in the abdomen, on the side of the uterus. There's often also a minor vaginal bleeding. If ectopic pregnancy is suspected, blood tests and vaginal ultrasound are performed to locate where the fetus is attached.

Ectopic pregnancy usually requires surgical removal or medication. Sometimes, unfortunately, the fallopian tube needs to be removed because it may be damaged and cause recurrent ectopic pregnancies. Typically, the gynecologist performs the surgery using minimally invasive techniques. In our clinic in Stockholm, you'll find our surgical department under the same roof, where some of the country's leading gynecologists work.

Early bleeding can be a sign of miscarriage, which means the pregnancy ends spontaneously, and the fetus is expelled. The cause of miscarriage is often unknown. Miscarriage is common (about 15-20% of all pregnancies) and usually occurs before the 12th week of pregnancy. Often, the bleeding is heavier than a period and may contain mucus, thin fluid, and blood clots. There's also often abdominal or pelvic pain, similar to menstrual cramps. It may also bleed longer than a normal period. Some may need examination during a miscarriage. Sometimes, medication or scraping is needed to complete the miscarriage.

If you have three or more consecutive miscarriages, you're entitled to an investigation. The investigation consists of a gynecological examination and blood tests to check that the immune system and thyroid gland are functioning properly.

Abnormal bleeding can also be a symptom of more severe cell changes or cancer in the cervix. This can be detected through a gynecological smear test and should always be consulted with a gynecologist.

In cases of medical indication, such as bleeding in early pregnancy, early gynecological ultrasounds are performed. In cases of medical indication, the ultrasound costs the same as a regular gynecological visit within the region. The ultrasound is done vaginally because the fetus is still very small.

We also perform early ultrasound for private payment without the need for a medical indication. We conduct ultrasounds from week 6+0.

At our gynecological clinics in Uppsala and Stockholm, you can book an appointment for NIPT. The test is a common blood test on the mother and shows the likelihood of chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus. NIPT is not included in the regional agreement and is therefore paid for by the patient. Read more about NIPT here.

Is the dream of having a child not going as planned? We're here to help! Under the same roof as our gynecology clinics, you'll also find our fertility clinics. Contact our clinic in Uppsala or Stockholm for advice or to book an appointment for a fertility assessment.