| know the last stages of pregnancy include the labor | | | | affected women should see a doctor immediately. |
| that is classified into three different stages. The first | | | | One of the most common facts that lead to bleeding |
| stage consists of the onset of the contractions and | | | | in the second half of the pregnancy is the changes in |
| the dilation of cervix. If the cervix dilates the | | | | the cervix. Bleeding might also occur right before labor. |
| contractions begin to occur more often and more | | | | Beside these two possibilities bleeding might be the |
| painful. At the end of this stage the cervix gets to | | | | cause of two serious complications. First of these |
| dilate up to 10 centimeters. This last phase of this | | | | complications might lead to bleeding if the placenta |
| stage is called transition. | | | | moves from its attachment to the inside of the wall of |
| The second stage is also known as the pushing stage. | | | | the womb. Besides bleeding, this complication may lead |
| After the total dilation of the cervix this stage begins. It | | | | to other symptoms such as abdominal pains or sore |
| lasts up to 30 minutes and it is not recommended for | | | | uterus. |
| any women to get to this stage before being totally | | | | The second possible complication that may lead to |
| dilated. The advice is to resist any urge to push until | | | | bleeding in the last period of pregnancy might come |
| their cervix is fully dilated. | | | | from a low placenta that is blocking the opening to the |
| The final stage of the labor begins after the birth of | | | | cervix. |
| the baby and resumes at delivering the placenta. This | | | | In cases when bleeding occurs suddenly the best |
| does not involve too much time or painful contractions. | | | | advice for the women is to lie down for a while and |
| Usually the first contraction separates the uterus from | | | | afterwards to get ready for a hospital visit. There the |
| the placenta. | | | | woman will be examined. If the doctors decide this |
| During these phases a woman might develop | | | | way and if the women’s period of pregnancy is |
| unwanted but painful symptoms such as periodic | | | | getting to an end an immediate delivery will follow. If |
| cramps, contractions, backache or small bloodstained | | | | the placenta is breaking away the doctor will break the |
| discharge. | | | | water and induce the labor. If the placenta is blocking |
| Many women ask about the causes of bleeding in the | | | | the opening to the cervix a Caesarean section delivery |
| last stages of pregnancy. Specialists believe that | | | | is necessary. |
| bleeding is a sign that should not be ignored and the | | | | |