What are the causes of bleeding and spotting during pregnancy?

Q: What are the causes of and remedies for bleeding and water spotting during pregnancy? Can it affect the baby if she gets pregnant next time?

A:The causes of bleeding and spotting during pregnancies are various:1st trimester(a) Subchorionic hematomas - for which complete bed rest is required(b) Luteal phase defects - for which progesterone injections are given(c) Cervical erosion- normal phenomenon during pregnancy; requires bed rest 3rd trimester(a) Placenta praevia (wherein the placenta is low lying) may lead to spotting or excessive bleeding; requires complete bed rest(b) Placental abruptio (wherein the placenta separates before the birth of the baby leading to heavy bleeding); immediate intervention may be required to ssave the mother and fetus.(c) Vasa praevia (wherein part of placenta overlies the os and tearing of these vessels may cause severe bleeding); may require ceasarean section to save the fetus. The chances of recurrence of bleeding is not very high in subsequent pregnancies. However, utmost care has to be taken; hormonal support may berequired with complete bed rest from early pregnancy.