You have got used to the absence of having a monthly period whilst being pregnant which is why you can be thrown into a huge whirlwind of anxiety, worry, and despair when you find you are bleeding. As you near the end of your pregnancy bleeding after a cervix check isn’t an abnormality, but how much is normal?
A normal or light level bleeding after a cervix check is considered OK, and it could occur due to the sensitiveness of one’s cervix.
In Short
- You can expect some bleeding after the exam.
- Normal to get some bleeding during sexual action.
- If it’s heavy, call your doctor.
- If spotting continues for >1.5 day, call your doctor
Bleeding After Cervix Check – Should I Be Worried?
Bleeding after having the cervix checked is fairly common. The cervix is a very vascular muscle and becomes more so during pregnancy. As your pregnancy progresses you will undergo cervical checks by your doctor/OBGYN which can cause some bleeding but heavy loss can indicate issues and medical attention would be necessary.
Why Do You Bleed After A Cervix Check?
Getting a cervical check is routine in pregnancy especially as you near the final weeks. But having your OBGYN poke and prod your already sensitive bits can be super uncomfortable. The main reason you undergo such checks is to discover if you are dilating and other times your doctor may wish to perform a sweep to help kick start your labor by disturbing the membranes in the cervix.
No matter why you have had a cervical exam, the reason you are reading this is that you have a bleed. Whether it is light spotting or a heavy loss we will uncover and explain what is normal and when medical advice is needed.
Your cervix is known to be a very vascular muscle; it is made up of many veins, arteries, and capillaries built inside which means that any irritation can cause it to bleed.
A cervical examination as you may already know can be uncomfortable and even painful. During my first pregnancy, my OBGYN completed a cervical examination to discover if my body was preparing for birth and all I can remember was crawling up the hospital bed to get away from the pain so needless to say that was not the most enjoyable part of my pregnancy. In fact, I had a few examinations and as my body and cervix matured the less it hurt so maybe it was a case of not being ready to be prodded.
Anyway, I found that for a few days afterward, I had a few hours where I had light bleeding but the cramping lasted for at least a day or two! As we continue through this article I will give you tips on how best to deal with the cramping and advice on bleeding.
Stages of Your Cervix
When you had your examination you may have felt swept up in a whirlwind of emotions trying to relax as your doctor had a good old feel around.
They generally explain to you what and why they are performing such exams whilst you were sitting in their chair yet it tends to fall on deaf ears as you are filled with excitement or nerves about meeting your baby soon, so let me explain to you the reasons why you have had this examination:
- Dilation
Dilation of your cervix is when it begins the opening process. Your body before any children will sit at 0cm and open with contractions to 10cm. It is when you are classed as fully dilated you can begin to push. If this is not your first child your cervix will never be fully closed and will stay slightly open.
- Effacement
Effacement is known as the thinning of the cervix. Whilst not in active labor it will be quite thick and as you progress it will thin out. The cervix needs to be super thin for you to be able to deliver so as your labor progresses regarding dilation so will the effacement of your cervix.
- Station
Another term for stations is when your baby is engaged. This doesn’t mean that your little one’s already betrothed before they are born but it measures how far your baby’s head is in your pelvis. -5 shows that your baby isn’t engaged and 5 means that your baby’s head is visible at the cervix. If this is not your first pregnancy then your baby may not be engaged until labor starts.
Each of these elements cannot predict labor. Personally, I was 4cm dilated on my second pregnancy and whilst 4cm is classed as active labor I had no contractions at all. If it wasn’t the fact my waters went I could have stayed like that for days.
Either way to find out exactly what’s going on you would need to be examined.
Is Bleeding Normal After Cervix Check?
As previously mentioned your cervix has developed extra blood vessels during pregnancy and blood is surging through the veins ensuring that it is doing its job as the gatekeeper, keeping all nasty bacteria out of your vagina.
Picture falling on the ground, you graze your knee, you see a small amount of blood right? Well, the same thing applies to your cervix if it is disturbed then you can expect bleeding to follow.
The force that is sometimes used during a cervical examination is totally dependent on where your cervix is. If it is far back and high then the doctor may have to apply more force than if it was already starting to enter the effacement stage and even dilation.
Needless to say, bleeding is a totally normal expectation after undergoing an examination.
Let’s look at how much is normal.
Light Bleeding after Cervix Check
This is considered normal bleeding after cervix check. Light bleeding may make you feel alarmed however it is totally normal. Light bleeding or spotting can appear in your underwear or when you wipe. It will not be considered light if you feel the need to wear a sanitary towel.
Light bleeding after an examination should resolve after 24 hours. I found that I had light bleeding after my examination. Even though I read it was normal I couldn’t wait for it to stop, so I totally understand the anxiety you feel if you are suffering from spotting but be reassured it won’t last long!
Heavy Bleeding After Cervix Check
Heavy bleeding after a cervix check is not normal. Let’s get one thing straight, heavy bleeding is deemed to be enough for you to have to wear a sanitary towel. I am sure I don’t need to tell you that any heavy bleeding that occurs during any stage of pregnancy will need to be immediately checked out by a professional.
Bleeding abnormal amounts after a cervical check or any time toward later pregnancy can indicate that there is in fact a problem with either you, your baby or you both could be in harm’s way.
Looking at the most serious scenarios for a lot of blood loss would be two conditions. One being called Placenta Previa and the other being a Placental Abruption.
- Placenta Previa
Placenta Previa is when your placenta is partially or entirely covering your cervix. As your placenta is the main lifeline between you and your baby any damage to it can lead to catastrophic implications. Doctors will be able to diagnose this condition during ultrasound scans and be able to determine whether you need a C section for birth.
Bleeding when you have this condition needs urgent medical treatment as the blood would be from your placenta meaning there is an issue with the lifeline between you and your baby.
- Placental Abruption
Abruption of the placenta means that it is pulling away from your uterine wall prematurely and is extremely dangerous for both you and your baby. We are talking about a life threatening disaster situation here. But thankfully it is rare and thought to only affect 1% of pregnancies.
Placenta Abruption usually ends with an emergency c section to ensure the safety of you and your baby.
Getting a cervical check would never cause either of the two conditions but if your check is to sweep your membranes then blood from either of these could present themselves.
Cramping After A Cervical Exam
Since you have had your examination you could be feeling pain and discomfort. Cramping is normal especially as you near the end of your pregnancy Braxton hicks contractions are known to take hold and some can stop you in your tracks. Even though they are classed as practice contractions they still don’t help your cervix dilate.
Cervical exams are uncomfortable and you won’t be the first person to feel pain afterward but without the examination, you or your doctor have no idea what your baby’s plans are or if you are progressing in labor or not.
Tips To Help Ease Pain
Look at the following tips to help soothe cramps:
- Don’t over exert yourself, take it easy and rest- Doing too much after an examination can make the pain or, if any, bleeding worse. So take the time to put your feet up momma you are only at the starting line of the marathon ahead!
- Take a warm (not hot) bath- Using water to ease your aches and pains is probably my favorite non medicated therapy. Not only do you feel weightless but it is advised that a warm bath can help you cope during early labor.
- Medicate if necessary- There is nothing wrong with taking over the counter drugs. Before you take anything always consult your doctor to ensure its safety but generally Tylenol is thought to be safe. No need to prove anything mom! You take what you need to to be comfortable!
- Use a hot compress- A warm water bottle is ideal for a dull tummy ache. As it is not advised to use direct heat on your tummy when pregnant you must wrap it in a towel before using it.
- Keep hydrating- Fluids are key to helping normal circulation. After an examination, your cervix may still feel tender due to the increased blood flow.
- Meditation- I never used this in my first pregnancy but honestly, I didn’t realize how powerful the mind is! Meditation can be a pain relief in itself, coupled with pregnancy safe stretches your body can be a temple for delivering your little human.
Going from having every birthing drug on my first and a long agonizing labor to my second labor with no drugs and it being a fraction of the time I am proof that meditation is the best form of relaxation. You have to be ready to let go, it is harder than you think.
When to Call a Doctor About Cervix Check Bleeding
If you are bleeding after a cervical check, it is important to consult your doctor to rule out any potentially serious underlying causes. In most cases, the bleeding is due to a small amount of tissue being shed from the cervix and is not cause for concern. However, if the bleeding is heavy or persists for more than 2 days, you would want to talk to your Doc. Your doctor will be able to determine the cause of the bleeding and recommend the best course of treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cervix Check Post Bleeding
How much bleeding is normal after cervix check?
Bleeding after a cervical check can be normal but you should expect light spotting to small amounts. You generally won’t need to wear anything to protect your underwear or clothing. Anything more and you should contact your doctor.
How long does bleeding last after cervix check?
Generally, after a few hours, the bleeding should subside but it can last a day or two which is normal.
Is it normal to bleed after being checked for dilation?
Totally. Your Cervix is a muscle that is filled with thousands of veins and arteries so one little swipe or poke can cause your cervix to bleed, it is a super sensitive area and as it ripens it becomes more susceptible to bleeding especially as you near the end of your pregnancy.
Wrapping Up
To summarize our findings about bleeding after cervix check, it is important for us to recognize that light spotting and cramping are totally normal and fairly common.
Your cervix is extremely sensitive and as you progress through your pregnancy it ripens meaning any disruption can cause light bleeding and discomfort.
As we have mentioned bleeding during pregnancy can be tortuous and a worrying time but take our advice and tips to help with the pain and the bleeding should subside after a few hours or so.
Heavy bleeding needs to be addressed immediately even though it may be nothing to worry about. You should contact your doctor just to get checked over.
Better to be safe!
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