What is bleeding during early pregnancy?

Implantation bleeding

* Light spotting or bleeding that occurs 10-14 days after conception

* Usually lasts for a few hours or days

* Can be accompanied by mild cramping

Threatened miscarriage

* Bleeding that occurs during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy

* Can be a sign of a miscarriage, but not always

* Other symptoms of a threatened miscarriage include cramping, lower back pain, and dizziness

Ectopic pregnancy

* A pregnancy that occurs outside of the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube

* Can cause severe bleeding and pain

* Is a medical emergency

Molar pregnancy

* A rare condition in which a fertilized egg grows into a mass of abnormal tissue instead of a fetus

* Can cause vaginal bleeding, nausea, and vomiting

* Is a medical emergency

If you are experiencing bleeding during early pregnancy, it is important to see your doctor right away to determine the cause.