Spotting pictures

I've known many women who become pregnant unexpectedly, and they're genuinely surprised when they find out.

If these women are anything like me, a planner, they might have noticed a shift in discharge or spotting, like that of an oncoming period, and prepared by using a pad or tampon.

Spotting instead of period can i be pregnant

Spotting before period

Spotting when period is due but no period

Pregnancy spotting vs period

How long does spotting last

But what if that shift wasn't your period, but a pregnancy? Could the tampons have hurt it? Is it safe to use a tampon during pregnancy?

Some type of bleeding or spotting occurs in up to 9 percent of all pregnancies according to a study published in Human Reproduction.

While it is a cause for concern, if the bleeding is light and fills less than two pads per day, the assumption is that it's normal and can result in a live birth.

Difference between spotting and period pictures

However, because tampons carry an inherent increased risk for vaginal infection which may compromise the pregnancy, it's best to steer clear of them. Although, if you used them before knowing you were pregnant, it's highly likely that it's fine, according to midwife Samantha Smith of Edinburgh.

She tells

should you wear a tampon while spotting

can you wear a tampon when your spotting