Periods During Pregnancy
For some reason, it has always been a myth that you can continue to get your periods during pregnancy. In fact, almost everyone seems to know someone who has either told them this or have actually claimed to have had periods during pregnancy themselves. However, this actually couldn't be further from the real truth.
Why you cannot get periods during pregnancy
People do still believe that you continue to get periods during pregnancy. However, your period is of course caused by your menstrual cycle. During the menstrual cycle, your body releases certain hormones, and this inevitably causes your ovaries to release an egg that travels from your ovaries and through your fallopian tubes, ready for potential fertilization. Whilst this is happening, a protective layer of blood and tissue thickens along the walls of your uterus. If the egg is not fertilized by a sperm, then your hormone levels will drop and your body will shed the lining that has built up inside your uterus. This is what causes your period.
However, during pregnancy, your body is completely, 100% focused on providing and caring for your baby. As a result, the above process does not occur and so getting periods during pregnancy is not possible.
Occasional bleeding is natural
An extremely common cause of bleeding during pregnancy is called 'decidual bleeding'. Sometimes, during your pregnancy, your body’s hormones can get a little frisky and can cause you to lose some parts of your uterus lining. This is especially common in the early stages of pregnancy, before the lining has completely attached to the placenta. Whilst it may not seem like a very nice thing to be happening during this time, decidual bleeding is not considered to be of any risk to you or your unborn baby. Given all this, it is easy to see how this can be mistaken for having periods during pregnancy
N.B. Bleeding during pregnancy can also mean that there could be compications with the baby in the womb. If you notice or even suspect that you are experiencing abnormal bleeding, you need to consult your prenatal care provider immediately. Please don't think these are periods during pregnancy, get them checked out!