Periods and Pregnancy: Seven Myths a GP Wants You to Forget

Bleeding when you might be pregnant, are pregnant or have just had a baby can be confusing and frightening in equal measure. GP Dr Sophie Nelson busts seven of the most common myths about periods and pregnancy, and explains what is really going on at each stage, from the first uncertain weeks to the return of your cycle after birth.

Few subjects attract quite as much hearsay as periods and pregnancy. Ask around and you’ll hear about the friend of a friend who “had periods all the way through”, the relative who swears a bit of spotting is nothing to mention, and the conviction that any blood at all means a pregnancy is over. Most of it is passed on with the best of intentions, but a lot of it is wrong, and getting it wrong can mean either needless panic or, more worryingly, not seeking help when you should.

Dr Sophie Nelson is a GP with an interest in women’s health, based just outside Manchester. She has shared the key facts every woman should know, and they cut through a surprising amount of the confusion. Whether you’re trying for a baby, newly pregnant or finding your feet as a new parent, here are the myths worth leaving behind.

Myth one: if you’re bleeding, you can’t be pregnant

This is perhaps the most common assumption of all, and it’s easy to understand why. For most of us, bleeding has always been the monthly signal that there’s no pregnancy this time. So when some blood appears, it’s natural to draw the same conclusion.

The reality is less clear cut. Some women have spotting or light bleeding during early pregnancy, and it can arrive at almost exactly the moment their period would normally have been due. With timing like that, it’s no surprise it gets mistaken for a period.

Dr Nelson’s advice is to avoid jumping to conclusions. If there’s any possibility you could be pregnant, take a pregnancy test rather than relying on bleeding to give you the answer. It’s a small step that can save a lot of uncertainty, and it means you can get the right care and advice from the very start.

Myth two: some women carry on having periods throughout pregnancy

You may well have heard this one shared as fact, but a true period simply isn’t possible while you’re pregnant. To understand why, it helps to know what a period actually is.

Each month, the womb builds up a lining, and a period happens when that lining is shed. Once you’re pregnant, the lining is no longer shed. Instead, your body keeps it in place because it now has a vital role in supporting the developing baby. With the lining staying put, there’s nothing to produce a period.

That doesn’t mean bleeding can never happen during pregnancy. It can, but when it does, it has a different cause altogether, which is exactly why it’s worth paying attention to.

Myth three: a little spotting isn’t worth bothering anyone about

Many women hesitate to pick up the phone over what seems like a tiny amount of blood. Nobody wants to feel as though they’re wasting a professional’s time, and it’s tempting to wait and see.

Dr Nelson is clear that bleeding during pregnancy should always be checked, even when it’s only spotting. Your maternity unit, your GP or NHS 111 are all there to help, and getting in touch means you’ll have proper advice rather than a worry you carry around on your own. If you’re a partner or family member supporting someone who is pregnant, gently encouraging them to make that call can make all the difference.

Myth four: bleeding in pregnancy always means something has gone wrong

At the other end of the scale is the fear that any bleeding at all signals bad news. It’s an understandable reaction, but it isn’t the whole picture. Bleeding doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a problem, which is why getting checked is about reassurance and the right care as much as anything else.

There are, however, some situations that need help straight away. Call 999 if the bleeding is heavy, or if it’s accompanied by severe tummy pain, shoulder pain, dizziness or fainting. These are signs that shouldn’t wait for a callback or an appointment.

Myth five: the bleeding after birth is your first period back

After the long months of pregnancy, plenty of new mums assume that the bleeding they experience after giving birth is their period making a swift return. It isn’t.

This bleeding is called lochia, and it happens as your womb recovers from pregnancy and birth. It can continue for several weeks, and over that time it should gradually get lighter. Knowing this in advance can help you feel more prepared during those early days with a newborn, when there’s already so much to take in.

It’s also worth knowing what isn’t expected. If the bleeding suddenly becomes very heavy, or you start to feel unwell, seek urgent medical advice. In the whirlwind of night feeds and nappy changes it’s easy to put your own health last, so this is one area where it really pays to keep an eye on yourself, or for partners to keep an eye out too.

Myth six: your periods will be exactly the same as before

When your periods do eventually return after having a baby, don’t be surprised if they feel a little unfamiliar. Dr Nelson explains that they may be different from how they were before pregnancy, and that includes changes in how cramping feels.

For some women this can be unsettling, especially if they had a cycle they knew inside out. Understanding that change is possible can take some of the worry out of it and help you notice what’s normal for you now.

Myth seven: period pain is just something you have to put up with

Period pain is incredibly common. According to the Wellbeing of Women “Just a Period” survey, cited by period pain brand Feminax, 96% of women in the UK experience it, and 62% describe their period pain as severe. Feminax also highlights CIPD findings that 53% of women have been unable to go to work at some point because of their symptoms. It can show up as cramping low in the tummy, an ache that spreads into the back or thighs, or a heavy, dragging feeling.

Common doesn’t mean you have to grin and bear it, though, and that’s especially true when you’re juggling the demands of a young family. Dr Nelson suggests a warm bath, or a heat pad wrapped in a towel, as simple ways to help ease the pain. Feminax’s guide to period pain also mentions light movement and rest as options worth trying.

If you’re thinking about pain relief, speak to a pharmacist about what’s suitable for you, particularly if you’re breastfeeding. And if the pain is severe or starts to affect your daily life, seek medical advice rather than simply soldiering on.

The bottom line

Bleeding can mean very different things depending on where you are in your journey, and the old stories don’t always help. The most important thing to remember is that you never need to guess. If you’re unsure, take a test, pick up the phone or speak to a pharmacist. A few minutes of advice is always better than days of worrying.

Quick guide: when to get help

Any bleeding while pregnant, including light spotting: contact your maternity unit, GP or NHS 111.

Heavy bleeding during pregnancy, or bleeding with severe tummy pain, shoulder pain, dizziness or fainting: call 999.

Bleeding after birth that suddenly becomes very heavy, or feeling unwell: seek urgent medical advice.

Period pain after pregnancy that is severe or affecting daily life: seek medical advice.

Unsure about pain relief, especially while breastfeeding: speak to your pharmacist.

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