Bleeding in Early Pregnancy: An Overview

Course overview

In the first trimester, vaginal bleeding affects about a quarter of women who are pregnant (Hendriks et al., 2019). Within the first 2 weeks of pregnancy, it is common for some women to experience light vaginal bleeding or spotting from the cervix (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists [ACOG], 2022). This is usually due to the development of increased blood vessels and may occur after sexual intercourse or a pelvic exam. However, more serious complications of vaginal bleeding can occur during the first trimester. Nurses who work in the emergency department may encounter this situation frequently. They should have a sound working knowledge of the incidence, etiology, risk factors, and potential life-threatening symptoms associated with vaginal bleeding during pregnancy. Prompt recognition of significant clinical signs may save precious time in an emergency. The goal of the course is to inform nursing professionals in acute care about the causes, evaluation, and patient care of vaginal bleeding in early pregnancy.