What are the Causes of Decidual Bleeding?

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Many women face the problem of spotting or brown discharge, bleeding during pregnancy. During the first trimester bleeding is more common and around 20 to 30 percent pregnant women go through the experience of uterine or vaginal bleeding. Spotting in the second or third trimester is uncommon. Although such bleeding periods can be similar to menstruation, it certainly is not.


What is Decidual Bleeding?

Menstruation resembling bleeding during pregnancy is known as decidual bleeding. A woman’s body undergoes lot of hormonal changes during pregnancy and during this period sometimes these hormones simply go out of control due to which the body of a pregnant woman can lose some amount of uterus lining. This is more common during the first trimester of pregnancy as at this time the lining has not compactly attached to placenta. Although the bleeding spots can alarm you, its usually not a risky thing for your baby’s health or growth. This bleeding mostly occurs from a portion of Decidua that remains uncovered in the developing stage of embryo and placenta. Medically decidual bleeding is termed as First trimester bleeding.


What are the Causes of Decidual Bleeding?

The early part of pregnancy experiences fast hormonal changes due to which ovulation or uterine lining thickening can occur, although the womb is carrying inseminated egg. When this uterine lining is shed bleeding starts. This is the reason why experts advise pregnancy test to women who show regular pregnancy signs like morning sickness or nausea, rapid weight gain or increase in the size of breast or its tenderness.


What are the Signs of Decidual Bleeding?

Decidua is the endometriums’s epithelial tissue belonging to the inner uterus lining. The endometrium itself is a type of mucous membrane that lines the uterus. This decidua is commonly shed during menstruation. The major problem which this decidual bleeding creates is that it some times prevents the woman from knowing her pregnancy state as she feels that decidual bleeding is menstruation. Although decidual bleeding is generally harmless it could also be an indication of acute conditions. Hence for any pregnant woman or even woman who shows symptoms of pregnancy it’s important to report vaginal bleeding to the doctor. In most cases, decidual bleeding stops in 1 or 2 days.


What is the difference between Decidual bleeding and Periods?

During menstrual period certain hormones are released that transmit signals to the reproductive system so that it should act according to then normal rhythm of menstruation. In case of decidual bleeding, the body of a pregnant woman shows hormonal imbalance leading to shedding of some portion of uterus lining.


What are the Precautions to be taken during Decidual bleeding?

In case a pregnant woman has spotting or bleeding problem in the first trimester, using panty liners is advisable. During pregnancy, especially when you are having decidual bleeding problem, you should not use tampons as they can introduce germs and bacteria inside the vagina. Douche should also not be used as it influences the balance of bacteria present in vagina and can cause vaginal infection.


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