Why do some women experience a "period" during pregnancy?

Question

Why? How heavy is it? How long does it last? What does it look like? Do you cramp any? etc.

Answer 1

I wish I knew why! I still haven't figured it out.

I had a normal period in Jan. 2005, so I ignored my pregnancy symptoms, such as being tired, sore breasts, having to pee all the time, etc. Then, I had a light period the following month, but that's not unusual for me, so I ignored that too. Then, I found out in March I was almost 3 months pregnant! Shock of my life!

When the baby was born, the midwife told me I had an extra lobe on my placenta. I wonder if that had anything to do with it? I have no idea. I really can't figure out how it's possible. Some women have their periods their entire pregnancy! I only had mine for 2 months, and then it stopped.

Answer 2

What most women think of as their period is actually implantation bleeding when the egg attaches to the uterus. There is often the feeling that it is a period with light cramps and bloating, but the bleeding is shorter, lighter and just not normal.
Implantation bleeding, spotting, can happen at the time the fertilized egg implants in the uterus, on average between 6 to 12 days past ovulation. It is is vaginal discharge which usually contains a small amount of pinkish or brownish blood. Only about 1 in 3 pregnant women experience implantation bleeding.

I have also heard and known women who experience actual periods during pregnancy.