Cervical Inflammation: Should I Be Concerned?
I'm in the ninth week of my second pregnancy. Two weeks ago I had some spotting, which was mucousy and streaked with red blood. My midwife ordered a beta blood test and an ultrasound to confirm viability and everything was okay. Five days later, I had more spotting. My midwife noted that my cervix was very red and raw looking, but could find no bleeding. The cervix was thick and long and was solidly "plugged." She took swabs of cervical mucus to send to the lab to be cultured. I had chlamydia 10 years ago, but it was treated immediately.
Question:Peg Plumbo CNM
Peg Plumbo has been a certified nurse-midwife (CNM) since 1976. She has assisted at over 1,000 births and currently teaches in the... Read more
It sounds like you've been getting good advice and care. Chlamydia can cause spotting and cervical inflammation. Call your clinic to ask the results of the test.
Spotting during early pregnancy -- if it is short lived and sporadic and is not associated with infection, fever or cramping -- can be considered normal. As the embryo embeds into the lining of the uterus, some blood may be released.
Cervical inflammation can be caused by a variety of things: chronic vaginitis, herpes infection or other sexually transmitted diseases and hormones such as birth control pills. However, it can also be normal with pregnancy. The younger a woman is, the more likely that the cells which will eventually line the inside of the cervix will be present on the outside surface of the cervix. These cells are more friable or "raw" and are more likely to bleed and become infected. This is why young teens are so susceptible to the effects of sexually transmitted diseases.
If your paps have been normal and there is no obvious polyp or lesion, I would not be concerned.
Best of wishes for a very normal pregnancy and birth.
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