Contact careCheck with your care teamSymptom guidance

Bleeding or spotting in pregnancy

Bleeding has many possible causes and cannot be classified safely by colour alone; contact the maternity service for advice based on timing, amount, pain and history.

Direct guidance

What to know or do

Use urgent or emergency care for heavy bleeding, severe or one-sided pain, shoulder pain, fainting, weakness, fever or feeling very unwell. Note pads used, clots, symptoms and pregnancy week.

What changes the answer

  • When it began, whether it is worsening, and how it affects eating, sleep or activity
  • Severity, pattern, one-sided symptoms and accompanying bleeding, fever or fluid loss
  • Pregnancy week, baby movement and relevant conditions or medicines

Check with your care team

When to get individual help

Contact your doctor or maternity service promptly and describe the timing, severity, associated symptoms and pregnancy week so they can choose the right assessment.