Can you still be pregnant and get a period

Pregnant and Period: Is It Possible?

The short answer is no. Despite all of the claims out there, it isn’t possible to have a period while you’re pregnant.

Rather, you might experience “spotting” during early pregnancy, which is usually light pink or dark brown in color.

As a rule of thumb, if there’s enough bleeding to fill a pad or tampon, then it’s a sign you’re probably not pregnant. If you’ve had a positive pregnancy test and are bleeding heavily, seek medical care.

Your period occurs every month or so in lieu of an egg becoming fertilized. Eggs are released once a month from the ovary. When they aren’t fertilized, the egg travels out of the uterus and sheds through the vagina.

Bleeding during a “normal” period often starts off light, then gets heavier and darker red. It also lightens in color and quantity toward the end of the cycle.

The differences between menstruation and being pregnant are supposed to be clear-cut: Once you’re pregnant, you don’t get periods anymore. But it isn’t always so obvious.

Some people claim they’ve gotten periods while pregnant. Fueling some of the inquiries in the “periods while pregnant” conspiracy are social media, blogs, and even television shows like “I Didn’t Know I Was Pregnant.”

Bleeding is a warning sign, but it doesn’t have to be something bad. Many people go on to have healthy babies after experiencing spotting during their first trimester. If you do bleed during pregnancy, it’s related to something else other than regular menstruation.

After all, periods only happen when you’re not pregnant. Learn about the different types of bleeding during pregnancy and when you need to call your OB-GYN.

Between 15 and 25 percent of people spot during early pregnancy. Some of the causes are:

• implantation bleeding
• changes in the cervix
• infection
• molar pregnancy (abnormal mass fertilizes instead of a fetus)
• ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy outside of the uterus)
• early signs of a miscarriage

Implantation bleeding

This happens in the earliest stages of pregnancy. At this point, you likely haven’t gotten a pregnancy test yet. This type of bleeding occurs when the fertilized egg implants into the uterus, usually around the time your period would be expected.

Implantation bleeding is sometimes mistaken as a period, though the bleeding is usually light or just spotting.

Shortly after pregnancy, you might also experience spotting from cervical changes. Unless there’s an infection, this isn’t often cause for concern.

Other causes

Other types of early bleeding that can indicate an emergency medical issue include:

• infections
• ectopic pregnancy
• molar pregnancy
• miscarriage

These can also be accompanied by:

• severe cramps or abdominal pain
• back pain
• faintness or losing consciousness
• fatigue
• shoulder pain
• fever
• vaginal discharge changes
• uncontrollable nausea and vomiting

The bleeding is also much heavier, unlike spotting. It’s more like a normal period.

Bleeding beyond the first trimester often requires medical attention. Regardless of whether bleeding during the second and third trimester is light or heavy, with or without any other symptoms, you need to call your doctor for an emergency visit.

Common causes of bleeding during the rest of pregnancy include:

• term or preterm labor or cervical dilation
• miscarriage
• placenta previa
• placental abruption
• uterine rupture (rare)
• vasa previa (rare)

Preterm labor

This refers to any birth that happens before 37 weeks. Before preterm labor, some people experience symptoms similar to a period as well as a large amount of mucus discharge.

While cramping may also be felt, preterm labor also causes contractions. Symptoms of preterm labor might also include:

• backache
• a sensation of pressure in the vagina
• changes in discharge

Placenta previa

This happens when the placenta is implanted low in the uterus and very close to, or covers, the cervix. The bleeding varies, but there are no other symptoms. Placenta previa can hinder labor and delivery.

Placental abruption

This occurs most commonly during the last few months of pregnancy. The placenta detaches from the uterus, usually causing heavy bleeding and possibly severe stomach pain and cramping. Certain health conditions, such as high blood pressure, can increase the risk of placental abruption.

Uterine rupture

A uterine rupture means that the muscle of the uterus separates or tears. This can cause uncontrolled bleeding. It occurs most commonly in those who have delivered via cesarean delivery in the past. Though rare, this type of tear happens on old scar lines along the uterus.

Many of the conditions that happen in the latter part of pregnancy cause bleeding and other symptoms similar to a period. These aren’t really menstruation, though.

It’s not possible to get your period while pregnant. You may, however, experience similar symptoms of a period during the first trimester. These include:

• vaginal bleeding (light and short term)
• light cramping
• fatigue
• irritability
• lower back pain

The difference is that these symptoms are related to your body’s natural preparation methods for pregnancy. If any of the above symptoms are severe or don’t go away, you’re in the second or third trimester of pregnancy, or both apply, seek immediate care.

Sometimes it’s difficult to tell whether bleeding is indicative of a medical emergency or not. As a rule of thumb, if you’re bleeding at any stage of pregnancy, call your doctor right away.

Q:

What’s the earliest you can test and get a positive pregnancy result?

Anonymous patient

A:

Home pregnancy tests measure a level of a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the urine. Urine usually has less measurable hormones than blood, so urine tests may not be as accurate early in the pregnancy. Several factors can affect the accuracy of the home urine pregnancy test: the type of test or brand, error in interpreting the results, female cycle length, and interference from another diagnosis or treatment are a few examples. The best time to take a home pregnancy test is at the time of a missed menstrual cycle. However, even on the first day after a missed period, more than a third of pregnant women will have a negative home pregnancy test result. Some women report having positive results before the date of their expected menstrual cycle, though this isn’t common.

Kimberly Dishman, MSN, WHNP-BC, RNC-OBAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

Can You Be Pregnant and Still Have a Period?

However, it is common to experience some light spotting that’s dark brown or light pink during early pregnancy. 

Pregnancy with a period: Is it possible?

While some people may experience intermittent vaginal bleeding while they are pregnant, it isn’t possible to have a period. Menstruation only takes place in the absence of pregnancy. 

Each month, ovulation occurs when your ovary releases an egg to be fertilized by the sperm. The uterine lining thickens in anticipation of a fertilized egg being implanted, which then results in pregnancy. If an egg isn’t fertilized and implanted, both the egg and the uterine lining are shed through the vagina as menstrual blood.  

So, can you have a period while you’re pregnant? The short answer is no. Since you don’t ovulate — or release an egg — during pregnancy, you will not get your monthly period. You'll get your period back either weeks or months after you give birth (how long it takes can depend on whether or not you're breastfeeding) and once you're back in the flow (so to speak!) of your menstrual cycle, you can predict when your next period will arrive with our online period calculator.

How rare is it to be pregnant and have your period?

Despite numerous claims, it isn’t possible to get your period while pregnant. Once the body starts the production of the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), your periods stop. 

I have never felt the need to write a review for any app, but this one deserves recognition. I never used to track my period and I ended up needing to have a blood transfusion because I was bleeding so much for so long. But when I downloaded Flo, It has helped me in so many ways. It has always been accurate, and gives me insight on the symptoms Ive been having on my period, and I can keep my symptoms logged so that I can show my doctor what was going on during my last period. It’s a really useful and helpful app.

Why you might experience a “period” during your first trimester 

Though people stop getting their period during pregnancy, it’s possible that they may still experience some bleeding. This bleeding does not necessarily indicate an underlying issue, but it’s important to understand the cause of it — and whether it’s time to see a health care provider.  

Bleeding tends to occur more often during the first trimester of pregnancy than the second or third. Estimates suggest that about 25 to 30 percent of pregnant people experience spotting at some point during their first trimester. There are a number of reasons for this bleeding.

Implantation bleeding: This refers to the light spotting that occurs about 10 to 14 days after conception, around the time when your period is due. Many people haven’t yet taken a pregnancy test at this point, so it’s easy to mistake the spotting for a period. This bleeding is lighter than a normal period, however, and only lasts for a couple of days. It occurs due to the implantation of the fertilized egg into the uterine lining. 

Cervical changes: Spotting can occur shortly after you get pregnant due to cervical changes, and particularly after having sexual intercourse. As long as no infection is present, there’s no need to be concerned about this. 

Other causes: Heavier bleeding that more closely resembles a period during the first trimester of pregnancy can indicate something more serious, including:

• Ectopic pregnancy
• Infection
• Miscarriage
• Molar pregnancy
• Subchorionic hemorrhage, also known as subchorionic hematoma (bleeding between the placenta and the wall of the uterus)
• Gestational trophoblast disease (GTD), a rare group of tumors that grow from the cells that normally develop into the placenta

These are all medical emergencies, and it’s important to see a health care professional immediately. They are often accompanied by symptoms other than bleeding, including: 

• Back pain
• Severe abdominal pain or cramps
• Loss of consciousness or faintness
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Shoulder pain
• Changes in vaginal discharge
• Uncontrollable vomiting and nausea

Bleeding later in pregnancy: why it happens

We’ve already discussed why it isn’t possible to have a period during pregnancy, and why some people may experience light bleeding or spotting during their first trimester. Bleeding during the second and third trimesters is possible, though not common, and it may be an indicator that something else is going on. If you experience bleeding later in your pregnancy, it’s important to see your health care provider. 

Potential reasons for mid- or late-term pregnancy bleeding include:

• Sexual intercourse: Having sex during mid- and late pregnancy can cause some spotting or light bleeding due to increased sensitivity of the cervical and vaginal tissues during this time.
• Preterm or term labor: This refers to delivery of the baby before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Cervical dilatation and uterine contractions generally occur to help the fetus move down, which can result in bleeding and a large amount of vaginal discharge. Other symptoms include a backache, abdominal cramping, changes in vaginal discharge, and a sensation of vaginal pressure.
• Placenta previa: In this condition, the placenta is located close to or over the cervical opening. There are no symptoms other than vaginal bleeding, and it may hinder labor and delivery.
• Placental abruption: This is a medical emergency that occurs during late pregnancy when the placenta starts separating from the uterine lining before the birth of the baby. It can cause heavy vaginal bleeding, as well as severe cramping and stomach pain. Certain health issues, like hypertension, may increase your risk of developing placental abruption.
• Uterine rupture: This occurs when the uterine muscles tear or separate before or during labor. It’s considered a medical emergency, as it may result in uncontrolled vaginal bleeding. Though rare, the condition most often occurs in people who have a history of uterine surgery or cesarean delivery.

When to see your health care provider

Because it isn’t possible to get your period while pregnant, it’s important to be mindful of any bleeding you do experience during this time. While light bleeding or spotting during the first trimester is usually normal, bleeding that is accompanied by other symptoms may indicate something more serious, and it’s important to see a health care provider immediately. These symptoms include:

• Cramping and pain
• Fainting or dizziness
• Passing clots or heavy bleeding
• Severe pain in your pelvis and stomach

It’s important to visit your health care provider if your bleeding is bright red in color and is heavy enough to soak through a pad. Pelvic pain and vaginal bleeding in the early stages of pregnancy may indicate an ectopic pregnancy.  If you suspect this, see your health care provider as soon as possible. 

There’s a lot of discussion surrounding pregnancy and periods, and we want to clear things up. Can you have a period and be pregnant? No. Since your period stops after your body starts producing hCG — also known as the pregnancy hormone — it isn’t possible to experience a true period during pregnancy. 

During the early stages of pregnancy, however, some people experience spotting or light bleeding — and it’s usually normal. This bleeding is called implantation bleeding, and it happens when the fertilized egg implants in the uterine lining. 

First trimester bleeding that occurs alongside other symptoms (like dizziness or pain) may indicate a more serious issue, such as ectopic pregnancy, infection, miscarriage, molar pregnancy, subchorionic hemorrhage, or cervical changes. If you are concerned and suspect an underlying cause for the bleeding, it’s important to seek immediate medical attention — many of these conditions are medical emergencies.  

It’s also possible to bleed during the middle and late stages of pregnancy. This bleeding is less common and may indicate a medical emergency such as preterm or term labor, placenta previa, placental abruption, or uterine rupture. Having sexual intercourse during the later stages can also cause bleeding, though it’s usually quite light.​

If you experience bleeding as well as symptoms like cramping, pain, fainting or dizziness, passing clots or heavy bleeding, and severe pain in your pelvis and stomach, be sure to see your health care provider right away.

Pregnancy in questions and answers - Useful articles

What to expect? How to eat? How to deal with difficulties? How to do everything right? These and many questions will be answered by Irina Alexandrovna Soleeva, an obstetrician-gynecologist at the Sadko clinic.

- How is due date calculated?

From the first day of the last menstruation. To determine the due date, 280 days are added to the first day of the last menstruation, i. e. 10 obstetrics, or 9calendar months.

Usually, the calculation of the due date is simpler: from the date of the first day of the last menstruation, 3 calendar months are counted back and 7 days are added. So, if the last menstruation began on October 2, then, counting back 3 months (September 2, August 2 and July 2) and adding 7 days, determine the expected date of birth - July 9; if the last menstruation began on May 20, then the expected due date is February 27, etc.

Expected due date can be calculated by ovulation: from the first day of the expected but not arrived menstruation, count back 14-16 days and add 273-274 days to the found date. nine0003

- And if you know the exact date of conception, how many days to add?

A large-scale study was conducted with a large number of pregnant women, according to various indicators, the gestational age and, accordingly, the date of birth were determined. It turned out that the woman most often remembers the date of the last menstruation. And from this fixed date, as the study showed, childbirth occurs at the 40th week ± a couple of weeks. Obstetrician-gynecologists are guided precisely by this system of calculations. nine0003

- Should I change my diet, if so, how?

4 meals a day are recommended in the first half of pregnancy, 5-6 meals a day in the second. It is better to eat often, but little by little. For healthy women, there are no forbidden foods (except alcoholic beverages), only more or less preferred ones.

So, the body absorbs easily digestible milk fats and vegetable oils better. The latter are not only a source of essential linoleic acid, but also vitamin E, which has a positive effect on the course of pregnancy. nine0003

To eliminate constipation, it is worth enriching the diet with sources of dietary fiber (fiber, pectins) - vegetables and fruits, buckwheat and oatmeal.

In the second half of pregnancy, sugar, confectionery and flour products, rice should be eaten in very small quantities. Do not get carried away with fried, spicy, salty foods, because. during this period, the liver and kidneys of a pregnant woman function with tension. It is better to prefer boiled and steamed dishes.

The main thing is to include a variety of foods in your diet: vegetables, fruits, juices - and you will provide yourself and your unborn child with everything necessary for normal development. nine0003

- I really want olives, but they are canned. Can?

It depends on the gestational age. After 20 weeks, I would not recommend eating too salty foods, including olives. And in general, any canned food is not the most suitable food for a pregnant woman. Although olives, in themselves, the product is very useful. Therefore, within reasonable limits, say, a jar can be eaten in two days.

- And the grapes?

Grapes are very well digestible. It's fructose. It is immediately absorbed and quickly raises blood sugar. But if you are overweight, it is either not recommended at all, or it is allowed in small quantities. It is allowed to eat a small brush, or you can treat yourself to something else.

For some reason, it is customary for us to believe that if you are pregnant, you have to eat for three or whatever you want. As a result, pregnant women buy grapes in boxes and eat them in kilograms. Such a diet does not lead to anything good: sugar appears in the urine, blood sugar rises, babies are born large. Moreover, a large load falls not only on the mother's pancreas, but also on the child's pancreas - the baby from birth will be predisposed to being overweight. nine0003

- Is it possible to reduce excess weight during pregnancy and cleanse your body with the help of special teas?

All cleansing teas are contraindicated during pregnancy. We have drugs that improve the functions of the liver and kidneys, which have a diuretic effect. We assign everything individually. There are no special cleansing procedures during pregnancy. However, we have fasting days - here is the best cleansing procedure for you.

- Which vitamins are best for pregnancy?

Now there is a huge selection of various vitamin complexes for pregnant women. Of course, they are all close to each other in composition. One or two components or the dosage of some vitamin differ. In order not to harm yourself and the baby, to achieve the maximum effect, each patient needs to select vitamins, based on the advice of her doctor, who controls the course of pregnancy.

- How long should I take them? nine0007