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Can you get your period while you're pregnant?

No. You can't have your menstrual period while you're pregnant.


Menstruation only happens when you're not pregnant: Each month, your uterus grows a thick blood-rich lining in preparation for an egg to embed there. If you don't get pregnant that month, you shed this tissue and blood – that's your menstrual period.

But once an egg embeds in the uterine lining, hormones tell the blood-rich tissue to stay intact to support the growing baby. And you won't shed it and start having your period again until your pregnancy is over.

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Bleeding occurs during pregnancy for various reasons, some serious and some not. Some women have light bleeding or spotting very early in pregnancy – near the time their period is due – and they may mistake that for a period. No one knows what causes this.

Some experts have suggested it might be "implantation bleeding" caused by the fertilized egg burrowing into the blood-rich lining of the uterus. It's generally a lot lighter than a typical period and lasts just a day or two.

You may have spotting after a Pap smear, vaginal exam, or sex. This is because there's more blood going to your cervix during pregnancy.

Bleeding can also be a sign of something seriously wrong, such as an infection, placental problems, miscarriage, or an ectopic pregnancy, which can be life-threatening. (See our article on vaginal bleeding in pregnancy for a complete rundown of possible causes.)

If you notice bleeding, call your doctor or midwife right away, even if the bleeding has stopped. Many women who bleed a little during pregnancy deliver without complications, but you may need an evaluation to rule out a serious problem.

If you're actively bleeding or have severe pain of any kind and can't immediately reach your practitioner, head straight to the emergency room.

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