Question

A 24-week pregnant client calls the clinic crying after a prenatal visit, where she had a pelvic exam. She states that she noticed blood on the tissue when she wiped after voiding. What initial statement by the nurse would explain this finding?

Answer 1

Answer:

Do not worry, it is normal for light bleeding or spotting to occur after a pelvic examination, more especially during pregnancy. If bleeding is heavy and continues for more than 48 hours, call your gynecologist.

Explanation:

A pelvic examination is when the doctor exams the vagina and its surrounding tissue and organs to check if everything is going smoothly during the first and third trimester of pregnancy. There should not be an extremely heavy flow, but red to brown discharge can absorb into a panty liner. This is because when you are pregnant there are lower levels of estrogen in your body, estrogen is responsible for making the vaginal lining thick and strong in your body and with a lesser amount of this hormone; the vagina is much more sensitive and prone to bleed after an examination like a pelvic one. Another reason is because in pregnancy there are many more blood vessels present and pumping more blood around your cervical area, due to this, if irritation of any sort is initiated; spotting can occur due to a ruptured blood vessel.