Can You Be Pregnant And Have A Period
Experts share why it’s physically impossible to have a period while pregnant, and they give alternative reasons for bleeding during the first, second, and third trimesters.
Can you get your period while pregnant? The short answer is no. “Women can certainly have vaginal bleeding during a pregnancy, but when they bleed, they are not having a ‘period,'” explains Michele Hakakha, M.D., a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist based in Los Angeles and co-author of Expecting 411: Clear Answers and Smart Advice for Your Pregnancy. Keep reading to learn why menstruation stops during pregnancy, as well as other possible causes of spotting during the first, second, or third trimester.
How Far Along Am I
Knowing how far along you are in pregnancy is useful for both you and your healthcare provider. Your provider will use this information to check on your babyâs growth and development, to keep an eye on your health, and to schedule tests and exams.
The weeks of pregnancy are also grouped into three trimesters:
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First trimester: 0 to 13 weeks
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Second trimester: 14 to 27 weeks
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Third trimester: 28 to 40 weeks
So that you can see at a glance how far along you are in your pregnancy, and which trimester you are in, check out the illustration below:
Whats Considered A Normal Menstrual Cycle
A normal menstrual cycle happens about once every 28 days, but this often varies. Some women have periods every 21 days, while others have periods that are 35 days apart.
When it comes to periods, every woman is different. Most women have periods that last around three to five days each month. But a period that lasts only two days, or goes on for seven days, is also considered normal.
If your period typically lasts several days and suddenly becomes much shorter, it could be due to a variety of causes.
Pregnancy may be the reason for a period that lasts only one or two days.
When a fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus, implantation bleeding can happen.
This type of bleeding is usually lighter than a regular period. It most often lasts about 24 to 48 hours. Its typically light pink to dark brown in color.
Implantation bleeding usually occurs about 10 to 14 days after conception. Not all pregnant women will experience it, though. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, implantation bleeding only happens in about 15 to 25 percent of pregnancies.
An ectopic pregnancy happens when a fertilized egg attaches to the fallopian tubes, ovary, or cervix instead of the uterus. Its commonly called a tubal pregnancy.
One of the first signs of an ectopic pregnancy is vaginal bleeding along with pelvic pain.
Seek medical help right away if you experience symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy, such as:
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Youve Missed Your Period
If youâre in your childbearing years, sexually active, and more than a week has passed since the day your period was expected to start, itâs very possible youâre pregnant. If you have an irregular menstrual cycle, have recently experienced significant weight loss or weight gain, or stopped taking your birth control pills, a missed period may not be a reason to worry. However, missed periods are perhaps the most tell-tale sign of a potential pregnancy, so be sure to take a pregnancy test if youâre in this situation. Many pregnant women experience some bleeding around two weeks after fertilization and mistake it for a light period, but a missed period on their next cycle will indicate a pregnancy. â
Complete Absence Of Pregnancy Symptoms
Some people who are pregnant are relieved to have few or no symptoms, but others worry that a lack of symptoms is a sign that their pregnancy is not healthy or that it could end in miscarriage. If you don’t have any pregnancy symptoms at all, rest assured that while it isn’t common, it’s not impossible.
Studies have indicated that around 1 in 475 women reach the 5-month mark before realizing that they are pregnant. “Cryptic” or “denied” pregnancies can occur for many reasons, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome. Sometimes, it’s as simple as someone not looking or feeling pregnant until they are nearly halfway through their pregnancy.
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What Is A Normal Menstrual Cycle
The menstrual cycle is a term used to describe the sequence of events that occur within a womans body as it prepares for the possibility of pregnancy each month. A menstrual cycle is considered to begin on the first day of a period. The average cycle is 28 days long however, a cycle can range in length from 21 days to about 35 days.
The steps in the menstrual cycle are triggered by the rise and fall of chemicals in the body called hormones. The pituitary gland in the brain and the ovaries in the female reproductive tract manufacture and release certain hormones at certain times during the menstrual cycle that cause the organs of the reproductive tract to respond in certain ways. The specific events that occur during the menstrual cycle can be described as follows:
How Long Is The Menstrual Cycle
Womens cycles can vary in length and from month to month, but the average is around 28 days. Its normal to have regular cycles that are longer or shorter than this .
It doesnt matter how long your cycle is, most women will ovulate around 10 to 16 days before the start of their next menstrual cycle.
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Be Prepared For These Questions
If you experience bleeding during pregnancy, be ready to answer these questions when you call or visit your doctor:
- How far along are you?
- When did you first have a positive pregnancy test?
- Have you had an ultrasound, and if so, what did it show?
- When did the bleeding start?
- Were there any obvious causes? For example, have you recently had intercourse or a vaginal exam?
- How heavy has the bleeding been?
- Have you had any pain or other symptoms with the bleeding?
If you are asked to make an appointment, your doctor is likely to check your cervix with a speculum. You might have an ultrasound or other testing to help learn the cause of the bleeding.
Many factors can cause spotting and bleeding during pregnancy. Because of that, its best to talk with your doctor if you have any bleeding. The bottom line is, if youre thinking about it, call your doctor.Thats what were here for, says Dr. McKenna.
How Not To Get Pregnant
If you want to get pregnant, plan to get frisky halfwaybetween periods for the best chances. But if pregnancy is what youre trying toavoid, there are much, much better methods than using your period as a guide.
The best way to prevent pregnancy is to use a reliable form of birth control, Dr. Stephens says.
Yeah, you probably already knew that. But now you know the whole story.
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Can I Get Pregnant At Any Time During My Cycle
Yes, but its unlikely youll get pregnant just before or just after your period. You are most fertile when you ovulate, so this is when youre most likely to get pregnant. Understanding your cycle and knowing more about what is happening month during the month, can help you learn the best days to get pregnant.
Find out more about ovulation and fertility, including top tips for finding your fertility window.
Reasons For A Late Period
Now that weve explained what qualifies as a regular menstrual cycle, lets go over why some people have late or irregular periods.
During the early stages of puberty, its common to have irregular cycles. Its normal for adolescents to have irregular cycles for the first three years after they get their period. This is because the ovaries may not be releasing an egg every month yet, since hormone levels are still changing. However, for people who are already past that phase, there are lots of other things that can cause a late period and irregular periods.
Here are eight common causes of a late period:
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How Does The Menstrual Cycle Work
The menstrual cycle is controlled by a complex orchestra of hormones, produced by two structures in the brain, the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus along with the ovaries.
If you just want a quick, general overview of the menstrual cycle, read this description.
For a more detailed review of the physical and hormonal changes that happen over the menstrual cycle, .
What Is The Menstrual Cycle
The menstrual cycle is what your body goes through to get ready for pregnancy. This cycle is the time from the first day of your period up to the day before the start of your next period.
Ovulation usually happens during the second half of the cycle. This is when an egg is released from one of your ovaries. To get pregnant, the egg needs to be fertilised by the sperm.
Ovulation doesnt happen every month for every woman. There are some conditions that may interfere with ovulation, such as endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome . If you are not getting a monthly period and are trying to get pregnant, speak to your doctor.
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At What Age Does Menstruation Typically Begin
Girls start menstruating at the average age of 12. However, girls can begin menstruating as early as 8 years of age or as late as 16 years of age. Women stop menstruating at menopause, which occurs at about the age of 51. At menopause, a woman stops producing eggs . Menopause is defined as one year without periods, and after this time a woman can no longer become pregnant.
What Can I Do To Get Pregnant
If you want to get pregnant, its a good idea to talk to your doctor. Many doctors will advise a few lifestyle changes if youre trying for a baby, such as taking a folic acid or prenatal vitamin supplements, avoiding alcohol, quitting smoking, and trying to maintain a healthy weight. You may also want to use an ovulation test to help you identify when your most fertile days are. You can see our range of ovulation tests and fertility monitors here to help you maximise your chances of conceiving.
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How Can I Figure Out What Is Happening In My Cycle When Am I Ovulating
Simply tracking your cycle on a calendar, along with some details of your bleeding and symptoms can help you understand your cycle. Record when your period starts and ends, what the flow was like, and describe any pain or other symptoms , changes in mood or behaviour that you experienced. Over several cycles you will be able to see patterns in your cycle, or identify irregularities that are occurring. Use your own calendar or try this menstrual diary. There are also numerous apps available to help you track your period. If your periods come regularly every 21-35 days, chances are excellent that you are ovulating.
Beyond simple calendar tracking, there are a few ways to figure out the timing of your own personal menstrual cycle. Separately or used together, these can be used to help determine when and whether you are ovulating. Three methods you can try are cervical mucus testing, basal body temperature monitoring, and ovulation prediction kits.
It’s Different For Everyone
Just as the symptoms of pregnancy vary from one person to the next, so can the frequency and duration of symptoms. As the days and weeks go by, what you experience will frequently change as your body changes. On some days, you might have cramping or frequent urination. On others, you might be constipated or have mood swings. There may be days when you feel no pregnancy symptoms at all.
There is no single definition of “normal” when discussing the presence, type, and severity of pregnancy symptoms.
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The Denial Of Pregnancy
Another reason that can explain getting your period during pregnancy is the denial of pregnancy. This is an unusual phenomenon in which women consciously or unconsciously refuse to believe they are pregnant. Their psychological refusal is so strong that their physical body is also denying any form of pregnancy. There is no nausea, the belly doesnt grow as much, and the period continues as though the cycle never stopped. In these cases, sometimes the only thing that confirms the pregnancy is the birth of the child!
For the most part, its shocking to imagine being completely unaware of such an advanced pregnancy, but its a very real phenomenon!
When Will Your Baby Be Born
When you find out youâre pregnant, one of your first questions might be âwhen will I get to meet my baby?â For an estimate, try our Due Date Calculator, where you can simply enter the first day of your last period or the date of conception.
Keep in mind, only about 5 percent of babies are born exactly on their due date. Itâs totally normal to give birth in the two weeks either side of your due date. Your healthcare provider can also give you an estimate of when your little one will be born.
Due dates are typically calculated as 280 days, or 40 weeks, from the first day of your last menstrual period. When calculating a due date and the weeks of pregnancy in this way, the first week of pregnancy is actually the week you had your period, and were not pregnant yet. Itâs hard to wrap your head around but, based on how due dates are calculated, you are not actually pregnant yet in the first couple of weeks of the 40 weeks of pregnancy.
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Is It Possible To Get Your Period While Pregnant
Usually, we rely on our period to determine whether we are pregnant or not. But is it possible to be pregnant and still get your period? Keep reading to find out!
Did you know that some pregnant women still get their periods every month? Sometimes, it takes a while for these women to realize they are pregnant because seeing that they get their period makes them think there is no way! Others who have passed a pregnancy test are completely terrified that their period is, in fact, a miscarriage. However, many well-documented reasons explain the presence of your period during pregnancy. It is just a common misconception to associate menstruation with not being pregnant. Here are a few reasons you may get your period while pregnant, and what you should do in that case.