Pregnancy & Baby 

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Eroded cervix

Early spotting during pregnancy can be due to many different things, and you are correct that yours could be cervical in origin. A cervical erosion is a term used to indicate that the cervix is inflamed and appears ‘rough’; in extreme cases it can look like minced meat. There are a number of things that can cause this: childbirth; the use of an IUD or oral contraceptives; and some infections. However, it may be a variation of your normality.

The infections that can cause this include such things as human papilloma virus (venereal warts), chlamydia and chronic bacterial and yeast infections. Unless a smear test is abnormal, doctors seldom worry about cervical erosions.

During pregnancy, the cervix becomes softer and is more prone to bleeding. If the cervix bleeds during intercourse or with a smear test, it is usually painless; although bleeding may recur, in a few days it typically turns brown and goes away.

All pregnant women should be screened for chlamydia, bacterial vaginosis, gonorrhoea and syphilis. If all of these tests are negative and there is no evidence of vaginitis, a ‘cervical erosion’ is of no consequence and will have no bearing on the pregnancy at all.

If the bleeding is related to intercourse, you may have to find alternatives until the second trimester, when everything is a bit more stable and you are more confident about the pregnancy.

I hope this helps, and my best to you and your family.

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