Recently one of our readers wrote in and asked us this:  

Q: I'm 34 weeks pregnant and was spotting (bright red). I am now only cramping and have not had anymore bloody show. What could have caused this?

Parents Ask expert and Los Angeles based OB/GYN Dr. Jason Rothbart answers:

A: At 34 weeks, spotting could be for several reasons, most of them which arent concerning. The most typical reason is due to sexual activity. The other most common reason is simply changes in the cervix (softening, dilating, changing in position) that can have some bleeding associated with it.

At ANY time during a pregnancy, bright red bleeding or spotting should always be discussed with your doctor. Early on in a pregnancy, its most likely nothing, but could be related to bleeding at the implanation site or the early signs of a miscarriage. Later on in pregnancy, bright red bleeding can be a sign of a placental abruption (the placenta prematurely separating from the uterine wall). This is a surgical obstetric emergency. And if a woman has been diagnosed with a placenta previa (the placenta covering the cervix), and has bleeding, she should always either go see her doctor immediately, or usually just straight to the hospital to be evaluated.

The bottom line is that bleeding in pregnancy, while common, should always be discussed with the woman's doctor or midwife, as it may range from only requiring reassurance to neccesitating immediate intervention.

See Also:
-Is Lifting Weights During Pregnancy Okay?

-Pregnancy After 35: Should You Be Worried?

-Pregnancy Drinking: Good Idea or Bad Idea?