The difference between bleeding and spotting in late pregnancy

Bleeding in late pregnancy and spotting are two different symptoms. One is normal physiological bleeding, and the other is abnormal bleeding. Bleeding in late pregnancy is a symptom of premature birth, while spotting is a symptom of labor due to the contraction of the uterine opening, which can cause bleeding. Moreover, the amount of blood in spotting is relatively small, while the amount of blood in bleeding in late pregnancy is relatively large. Pregnant women should be able to judge the two based on the symptoms and time of the two.

The concept of bloody show and vaginal bleeding

1. Seeing red

It refers to the appearance of a small amount of bloody mucus in the vagina, which is less than during the menstrual period. This phenomenon is called "seeing blood". Spotting during pregnancy is usually a sign of impending labor.

2. Vaginal bleeding

It can be divided into early pregnancy bleeding and prenatal bleeding. The time of bleeding during pregnancy is different and the reasons for bleeding are also different. In some cases, there is no need to worry too much. As long as you take it seriously, the bleeding can be stopped, and there is no danger to the baby in the belly. However, if there is bleeding or accompanied by abdominal pain, the expectant mother should be sent to the hospital in time to avoid delaying the disease and affecting the health of the fetus.

The main characteristics of spotting in late pregnancy

1. Brown, pink, and red are all possible colors;

2. The amount of bleeding is significantly less than that during menstrual period;

3. Generally, it occurs 24 hours before labor pains, but it varies from person to person. There are also cases where spotting occurs repeatedly 1 week before labor pains.

4. Mixed mucus flows out with a viscous texture.

Abnormal vaginal bleeding in late pregnancy

1. Bleeding at the edge of the placenta

Painless vaginal bleeding before delivery of the fetus can occur due to rupture of small blood vessels at the edge of the placenta. The bleeding usually stops quickly, although small blood clots may appear near the cervix and brown vaginal discharge may persist for a few days.

2. Placenta previa

When the placenta lies low in the uterus, it can partially or completely cover the cervix. In this case, the placenta is not firmly attached to the uterine wall, and one or more blood vessels on the surface of the placenta are likely to bleed. However, although the bleeding may be severe, it can often be stopped on its own.

3. Early placental abruption

Separation or detachment of the placenta from the uterine wall before the fetus is delivered is called placental abruption. Bleeding is usually accompanied by severe, crampy abdominal pain. If only a small part is detached, there may be no abdominal pain. The amount of bleeding varies, but sometimes it can be heavy with blood clots.

4. Uterine rupture

It is very rare for the uterus to rupture or tear during pregnancy. The cause is often a weakened uterine wall from a past cesarean section scar or repair of a previous uterine rupture. When rupture occurs, an immediate cesarean section is required, followed by surgery to repair the uterus.

What to eat during late pregnancy

I believe that every pregnant mother hopes that the baby in her belly can be healthy. The baby's nutrition comes from the mother's body, so it becomes a very important issue for mothers to think about what to eat. The late stages of pregnancy cannot be ignored. As delivery is approaching, nutritional supplements are even more necessary, because delivery is heavy physical labor. During this period, the mother must have sufficient energy supply to have good uterine contraction force and the cervix must be fully dilated before the baby can be delivered. So what do mothers need to eat more of?

You can eat more foods rich in collagen, such as pig's trotters, which will help increase skin elasticity. Eat more foods such as crucian carp, carp, radish and winter melon, which will help relieve edema symptoms. Eat more foods rich in unsaturated fatty acids such as walnuts, sesame seeds and peanuts, as well as chicken, fish and other foods that are easy to digest and absorb and rich in protein. Choose more foods rich in vitamins and minerals, such as celery and lettuce. You can also regularly eat some iodine-rich foods, such as kelp and squid. You also need to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables. You don’t have to eat just one kind. You can switch between them.

In the late stages of pregnancy, mothers need to reserve energy for delivery, and they await the arrival of their babies with excitement. During this process, mothers need to pay close attention to their physical condition. If they feel any discomfort, they need to seek help and go to the hospital for examination as soon as possible. Here is another warm tip: mothers in the late stages of pregnancy can pack up some things they will need for hospitalization so that the baby’s father will not be at a loss when delivery occurs.