What Causes Bleeding in Late Pregnancy?
The causes of bleeding in the second half of pregnancy are different from in early pregnancy. The most common causes of heavy vaginal bleeding are related to the placenta. The two most common culprits are placenta previa and placental abruption. Bleeding can be heavy and may pose a serious threat to the mother or the fetus. If you have any bleeding in the second half of your pregnancy, you should alert your doctor. Placenta Previa – Placenta previa occurs in 1 in 200 pregnancies. It is most common in women who are pregnant with more than one baby, are over the age of 35, or have had a previous cesarean section, placenta previa, uterine infections or surgery (such as a D&C.) During pregnancy, the baby receives nourishment from you through the placenta. The placenta usually develops in the top part of the uterus. When the placenta lies low in the uterus, either partially or completely covering the cervix (uterine opening), it is referred to as a placenta previa. In late pregnancy, this m
