Monthly Periods and Spotting During Pregnancy - Explained

One of the many joys of pregnancy is not having monthly periods.  This is triggered by the human hormone chorionic gonadotropin also known as HCG. This is released into the body during the pregnancy and is also the hormone the majority of home pregnancy tests detect in your urine.  The hormone sends a message to your body to suspend ovulation and consequently stop your monthly periods.

Does a Missed Period Mean I am pregnant?
A number of females have irregular menstrual cycles and are not worried about infrequent bleeding.  If you are concerned then a home pregnancy tests is by and large will put your mind at ease they are reliable, readily available and inexpensive.  Innovative kits are now available that can easily find the pregnancy hormone a lot earlier than before.  The moment you become conscious that you have missed a period then it is advisable to buy a pregnancy test, just be sure to understand the instructions before commencement.  If the test result is negative and you are remain unsure, you should consider making an appointment with your doctor he, can take a blood test that will determine if the pregnancy hormones is present.  This test is more reliable than a home pregnancy test kit.

Is it Normal to Have a Period While Pregnant?
At the beginning and in the first trimester when the embryo attaches to the uterus a number of women may possibly have a short period of bleeding.  This is nothing to worry about and is not a period. This can nevertheless lead to a miscalculation of the due date of the baby if mistaken for a real period.

What Is Spotting?
Period like bleeding and a vaginal brown discharge which is known as spotting can be expected in about 25 per cent of pregnancies. A small amount of spotting early in pregnancy is rather common. However if the spotting becomes a lot more noticeable and looks more like a period, you should consult your doctor as soon as possible. In the more advance stages of pregnancy, you may notice what is known as "a show", which is quite normal and is not a period. 

Heavier bleeding in the advanced stages of pregnancy can point towards a problem with the placenta which might have become disrupted and possibly detached from the wall of the uterus.  This is a medical emergency.