How Much Bleeding Is Normal During Early Pregnancy?
We understand how stressful bleeding during early pregnancy can be. We’re here to provide answers and peace of mind.
Many people have light spotting to heavy bleeding and have a healthy pregnancy. Up to 1 in 4 people bleed during their first trimester, according to the . Call your health care provider any time you’re worried about spotting or bleeding.
What Does Spotting Look Like During Early Pregnancy?
Spotting usually looks like pink or brown discharge in your underwear. Sometimes people experience period-like bleeding that’s darker or heavier. Bleeding with clots often points to a problem with your pregnancy.
Seek Medical Help Immediately For Heavy Bleeding
- If you soak through one regular maxi pad per hour, call the Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinic (EPAC) at 801-213-2995 for urgent evaluation.
- If you soak through two pads per hour for two hours in a row, go to the emergency room.
When to Call the Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinic (EPAC)
The Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinic (EPAC) is a highly specialized urgent care clinic for pregnant people in their first trimester. We aim to schedule you quickly, often on the same day or the next day. We offer EPAC appointments Monday–Friday from 8 am–4:30 pm.
Call the EPAC at 801-213-2995 any time you’re concerned about bleeding during early pregnancy. Our nurses can help decide whether you need an EPAC appointment. They can direct you to the emergency room if appropriate.
We offer evaluation, medications, and procedures to treat early pregnancy concerns. We refer you quickly to gynecologic surgery or other specialty doctors when necessary.
You don’t have to be a current Ƶ of Utah Ƶ patient to see our team. We also offer resources for financial assistance, with or without insurance.
Causes of Bleeding or Spotting During Early Pregnancy
Bleeding during pregnancy is never from the developing fetus itself. Your uterine lining grows and thickens when you get pregnant to support your pregnancy. Sometimes, the lining can bleed for no known reason. This type of bleeding isn’t typically a problem.
Sometimes bleeding comes from outside your uterus:
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Cervical bleeding—Hormonal shifts can cause slight changes to your cervix (small passage that connects your uterus and vagina). The surface of your cervix becomes more fragile. This may cause light bleeding during or after sex. Vaginal infections or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can also cause cervical bleeding.
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Vaginal bleeding—You could have a small tear in your vagina. This can cause bleeding.
Some pregnancy problems can cause bleeding:
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Ectopic pregnancy—The pregnancy develops outside your uterus, commonly in your fallopian tube. You may have bleeding along with pain on one side of your pelvis. The bleeding can be spotting, like a light period, or heavy. An ectopic pregnancy cannot be carried to term.
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Miscarriage—A miscarriage is an unexpected pregnancy loss before 20 weeks. Sometimes the pregnancy stops developing, but your body doesn’t pass it. This may cause light bleeding. Other times, your body passes the pregnancy. This tends to cause heavier bleeding along with cramping. You may also pass blood clots that are walnut to lemon-sized.
What to Expect During Your First Appointment at the EPAC
You don’t need to do anything special to prepare for your Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinic (EPAC) appointment. Most appointments last 30–45 minutes. You will meet with one of our EPAC providers who may be an OB/GYN, certified nurse midwife, or OB/GYN resident. Your EPAC provider will ask you questions about your symptoms and pregnancy:
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Do you have other symptoms along with bleeding?
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How long ago did your bleeding start?
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How much bleeding do you have?
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What was the date of your first positive pregnancy test?
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What was the first day of your last menstrual period?
Once we’ve gathered information about your condition and concerns, we perform an ultrasound. We may place the ultrasound over your belly or insert it in your vagina, depending on how early in the pregnancy you are. We may also order blood tests to check pregnancy hormone levels or evaluate for an infection or STI. Your EPAC provider will discuss next steps based on your test and exam results.
A very early pregnancy may not be seen on an ultrasound. In these cases, you may return to the EPAC every other day to check your human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels. This pregnancy hormone should increase throughout your pregnancy. We measure hCG levels when we can’t see the pregnancy on the ultrasound.
If you’re having a miscarriage, we will discuss your options. You may get follow-up care with an EPAC provider or your regular obstetrics provider.
Find an Early Pregnancy Assessment Provider
Schedule an EPAC Appointment
Call 801-213-2995 and ask for support from the Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinic (EPAC). We will schedule you as quickly as possible. We don’t require referrals. Our team also connects you to financial assistance if you don’t have insurance.
Resources & Programs for Parents-to-Be
Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinic
The first trimester can be an exciting, confusing, and overwhelming experience. Our Early Pregnancy Care team providers offer comprehensive, non-judgmental early pregnancy care.
Utah Pregnancy After Loss Program
The Utah Pregnancy After Loss Program is designed specifically to support families after a pregnancy loss, newborn death, or severely complicated pregnancy.
UPWARD: Utah Peripartum Pelvic Floor Wellness and Recovery After Delivery Program
Many pregnant mothers have pelvic floor symptoms before and up to 12 months following birth. UPWARD offers expert care to women experiencing pelvic floor issues during a vulnerable time.
SUPeRAD: Substance Use & Pregnancy—Recovery, Addiction, and Dependence Clinic
The SUPeRAD Clinic provides services and treatments for pregnant and postpartum people with substance use disorders and addiction.
YoMingo®: Prenatal Education on the Go
U of U Ƶ offers anytime, anywhere education for expectant mothers through YoMingo®, with all the tools and support you need at every stage of your pregnancy. Find information on prenatal care, labor & birth, postpartum, breastfeeding, and newborn care.
Perinatal Education
Childbearing is an exciting time of growth, change, and personal choices for you and your family. To help you prepare, we offer perinatal education on a variety of subjects related to your pregnancy.
