Bleeding after sex during pregnancy

[WombatStewForTea]

I'm 11 weeks. DH and I dtd for the first time in over a month last night felt so rubbish sex has been the last thing I've felt like til now however after we finished I noticed some bleeding. Not a lot but bright red then quicky turned to brown. This morning I thought it had stopped however after going to the toilet for a #2 tmi sorry I noticed it again and again bright red that then with wiping turned brown so was still fresh? Anyone experienced this? I had a google which suggested it was normal and can be because of changes to the cervix.

I had this on friday.
I'm 8+1.
I was freaking out as I haven't got a midwife yet ( haven't had booking appointment), we were away so called 111.
They sent me to out of hours, the GP there was very unhelpful, said sex would not cause bleeding and I may have a miscarriage. He then went on complaining that I went to out of hours and he could refer me to EPU but seeing as we were coming home yesterday there was no point, I should make an appointment with my GP tomorrow and they can refer me.
There was only blood when I wiped, put a pad on and there was nothing. However when I did my urine sample there was a small clot, it was only blood, and bleeding stopped within 12 hours. I just feel like I'm freaking out until I can see my GP and get referral

It can happen. Due to irritation to the cervix.

I’m currently 17 weeks and had some bleeding at four weeks and eleven weeks, the first spontaneous and the second after a bowel movement. And after sex around nine weeks I noticed pink on the toilet paper after I’d gone for a wee after.

I decided against sex any more during the first trimester due to the risk of bleeding, and when we tried again in the second trimester I made sure he didn’t go too deep so he didn’t irritate my cervix.

It can be normal but the fact it’s lasted some time after sex has finished would concern me and I’d be freaking out. When’s your next scan? I ended up going for a private scan at eleven weeks after that bleed as the hospital didn’t want to do anything, it was very reassuring and I dread to think what the stress of panicking I’d had a MC would have done to me and the baby if I’d just let it go like the NHS advised me to, I just couldn’t.

I would mention it to your midwife ASAP. Not to be fear mongering, but bleeding after sex is one of the top symptoms of cervical cancer. As you’re pregnant it could absolutely be something to do with that and nothing to worry about, but I also wouldn’t want to leave it unchecked just in case. When was your last smear?

Generally the first thing the EPU will ask you if you call with bleeding is "have you just had sex?" The cervix is full of enlarged blood vessels during pregnancy and sex can easily irritate them and cause some bleeding. I had it in the 2nd trimester in my last pregnancy.

It absolutely definitely does not indicate cancer. In the first trimester bleeding can sadly indicate miscarriage, but if it was triggered by sex and is fairly light there's every possibility it's harmless.

I didn’t say it was definitely indicative of cancer, just it is one of the top symptoms and should be checked out.

It’s not safe to just say it’s just because of the cervix having a richer blood supply, because bleeding after sex, pregnant or not should always be checked out.

I am probably more aware of this and do mention it because I had cervical cancer and the only symptoms I had were bleeding after sex. Thankfully caught and treated, but it’s dangerous to downplay any difference in what your body does just due to pregnancy.

But mustard, bleeding after sex is very, very, VERY common in pregnancy, and has a well-known and obvious cause. It's vanishingly unlikely to be caused by any type of cancer in the absence of other symptoms. It is much more unusual in women who are not pregnant. The EPU may want to scan OP to check on the progress of the pregnancy (although I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't feel they needed to see her right now at all), but I guarantee that they will not feel any need to consider cancer as a cause without other symptoms that point in that direction.

Thanks all. I'd give the midwife a call but I don't actually know who to call. When I found out I was pregnant I called my community midwives and was told I could self refer to the hospital I want to give birth in which I did and I had my booking in appointment last week. I've got my 12 week scan on Friday at the hospital but I don't have a midwife and such? And don't have any other appointments booked?

Google for the Early Pregnancy Unit at your local hospital, wombat. They will probably have a phone number and will either let you self-refer or tell you how you need to get referred. The only thing to do with bleeding is either a scan, or watch and wait.

Although bear in mind that it may be shut for the weekend and that A&E etc usually will not scan for bleeding in early pregnancy and will advise you to speak to EPU on Monday.

I had this at 9 weeks. I had to go to A&E as EPU wouldn’t see me as a self referral until 16 weeks.

A&E referred me for a scan to EPU and it was all fine. We were really worried but A&E told me if it is a MC they wouldn’t be able to do anything. It’s just the waiting and not knowing.

Like I said I was fine and I’m now 36 weeks pregnant, I think it is really common but you’re right to get checked out

I had a miscarriage at 6 weeks a few months ago and went to the epu then so know they're open at weekends but don't scan at the weekend. To be honest tho this feels totally different and I don't feel worried about it which is unlike me. There was never much blood and bleeding has stopped just a tiny amount of dark brown discharge when I wipe. I know there's nothing they can do anyway so I'll probably just ring the community midwives in the morning and see what they say.

Happens every time we have sex (not that often now granted!) and have been told it’s due to increased sensitivity of the cervix. I really wouldn’t worry unless the bleeding keeps on with cramps etc x

Hi wombat, I know this was a while ago but I wondered if you wouldn’t mind sharing the outcome? Thank you!

All was fine @Vics12345 and said pregnancy is now a feisty 4 year old 😂

Thanks so much!