The female body has a rhythm
Every woman knows that the menstrual cycle lasts an average of 28 days. The first day of menstruation is considered day one and confirms with certainty that a woman is not pregnant. But is that really the case?
The bleeding is caused by the shedding of the uterine lining, which takes place over about 5 days. It is expelled as light spotting or slightly heavier bleeding that may also contain small pieces of tissue. This is followed by ovulation, and the egg travels from the ovary to the uterus. If it is fertilized, it implants itself in the newly rebuilt uterine lining and prevents the body from trying to reject it. Therefore, it is impossible to have a period while pregnant.
Not all bleeding is the same as a period
Although natural menstruation does not occur during pregnancy, bleeding may occur that suggests otherwise. For one thing, there may be slight implantation bleeding at the beginning of pregnancy. This happens when the fertilized egg implants itself in the uterus and the placenta begins to form to nourish the embryo.
Even light spotting is not uncommon in the early stages of pregnancy, but it is often mistaken for menstrual bleeding. The changes the uterus undergoes as the baby grows rapidly can lead to hematomas that bleed out.
If a pregnancy goes unnoticed and the woman continues to take hormonal birth control, it is possible that the artificially induced menstrual cycle will continue due to the administration of the hormones.
It’s also possible that an early miscarriage may be mistaken for a menstrual period. Symptoms include severe abdominal cramps, a stabbing pain in the lower abdomen, or pain in the lower back. The bleeding can vary in intensity, just like a period. Exact figures aren’t known because many women are unaware of their pregnancy at this stage. For clinical pregnancies (those that can already be detected on an ultrasound by weeks 5–6), the miscarriage rate is about 15% within the first three months.
Pregnant or not?
Other signs of pregnancy include:
- firm breasts
- Nausea
- increased fatigue or dizziness
- frequent trips to the restroom
Of course, you can always wait it out and let yourself be surprised after 40 weeks. Ultimately, the only way to know for sure is to take a pregnancy test or see a gynecologist.
If bleeding occurs during a confirmed pregnancy, it is always advisable to see a doctor so that the cause can be determined.
In conclusion, it’s important to note that bleeding is possible and not even uncommon, but menstruation is out of the question despite pregnancy.
