period during pregnancy?

Published

one of my co-worker told me that when somebody she knew was pregnant she had period every month during her entire pregnancy. is that possible? i've never been pregnant and i just know what i've learned in school and i havent heard such a thing.

Specializes in Med Office, Home Health, School Nurse.
If she had a didelphic uterus, it could be possible. But that's pretty rare. I think I've seen it twice in almost 5 years.

I'm pretty sure that didelphic is the same, or similar to, as bicornate uterus (?) I actually have a bicornate uterus. During my first pregnancy, I began bleeding and cramping (just like a normal period)at 5 weeks and it went on for FOUR months. Every day, all day. They had me on strict bedrest, and I was taking Brethine 'round the clock and it still didn't stop. So, I suppose it could be possible!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If you have two separate uteruses it would be possible however bleeding for 4 months from the other uterus while you are pregnant is not normal and obviously it would not be considered a normal period.

The question here is not whether or not some woman bleed while they are pregnant, obviously the do, the question here is not whether you can have two seperate uteruses and be pregnant in only one, obviously that is possible.

Having one uterus and having a regular monthly period is impossible, a period occurs when an egg is not fertilized and the uterine lining sloufths off, that would cause a miscarriage.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
The question here is not whether or not some woman bleed while they are pregnant, obviously the do, the question here is not whether you can have two seperate uteruses and be pregnant in only one, obviously that is possible.

Having one uterus and having a regular monthly period is impossible, a period occurs when an egg is not fertilized and the uterine lining sloufths off, that would cause a miscarriage.

Except that a lot of laypeople may not know that they have a bicornuate uterus. All they know is that they're pregnant, and they're still bleeding every month. Ergo, they still get a "period."

So yes, it's *theoretically* possible to still get a period when you're pregnant if you have a bicornuate uterus, although even in that situation, your beta hCG levels should be such that buildup of uterine lining should be supressed.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Except that a lot of laypeople may not know that they have a bicornuate uterus. All they know is that they're pregnant, and they're still bleeding every month. Ergo, they still get a "period."

So yes, it's *theoretically* possible to still get a period when you're pregnant if you have a bicornuate uterus, although even in that situation, your beta hCG levels should be such that buildup of uterine lining should be supressed.

No, laypeople may not know but when they get pregnant they will find out. A bicornuate uterus can felt with a simple pelvic exam. Pregnancies in a bicornuate uterus are considered high-risk and require extra monitoringl. The pregnancy loss rate is about 50% because the uterine cavity is smaller and the cervix is shorter. For those pregnancies which reach 32 weeks, up to 25% will result in preterm delivery when the baby begins to grow in either of the protrusions at the top.

I worked in a busy L&D and I never took care of one woman with a bicornate uterus.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

One of my coworkers has a bicornuate uterus, and apart from that, I've seen it twice or three times. I don't think it looks the same on u/s as a didelphic uterus but they're probably not very far apart in terms of embryonic development for the carrier.

With a bicornuate uterus there is one uterus but it is divided by a septum. Didelphic uteri tend to be part of a defect wherein the pt has two lady partss, two uteri, two cervices, and one ovary attached to each uterus. I have seen one of these women carry a baby to term (and hemorrhaged badly afterward).

Up Vote Up Vote ×
One of my coworkers has a bicornuate uterus, and apart from that, I've seen it twice or three times. I don't think it looks the same on u/s as a didelphic uterus but they're probably not very far apart in terms of embryonic development for the carrier.

With a bicornuate uterus there is one uterus but it is divided by a septum. Didelphic uteri tend to be part of a defect wherein the pt has two lady partss, two uteri, two cervices, and one ovary attached to each uterus. I have seen one of these women carry a baby to term (and hemorrhaged badly afterward).

Elvis, did anyone thing to check out the latter in regards to being a chimera?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
No, laypeople may not know but when they get pregnant they will find out. A bicornuate uterus can felt with a simple pelvic exam. Pregnancies in a bicornuate uterus are considered high-risk and require extra monitoringl. The pregnancy loss rate is about 50% because the uterine cavity is smaller and the cervix is shorter. For those pregnancies which reach 32 weeks, up to 25% will result in preterm delivery when the baby begins to grow in either of the protrusions at the top.

I worked in a busy L&D and I never took care of one woman with a bicornate uterus.

Thank you for that lesson.

I'm aware of everything you've said.

My point was simply that yes, it's *theoretically* possible, with a bicornuate uterus, to have a period during pregnancy. This is straight from the mouth of the head of OB in our department, who happened to be sitting at the nurses' station last night while I was reading this thread.

I currently work in L&D, and I *have* taken care of a woman with a bicornuate uterus. :) They usually require a C/S, because the uterine tone in order to deliver lady partslly is generally not there.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.
Elvis, did anyone thing to check out the latter in regards to being a chimera?

She wasn't my patient, but I don't remember hearing anything about it. Would have been interesting.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My point was simply that yes, it's *theoretically* possible, with a bicornuate uterus, to have a period during pregnancy. This is straight from the mouth of the head of OB in our department, who happened to be sitting at the nurses' station last night while I was reading this thread.

They usually require a C/S, because the uterine tone in order to deliver lady partslly is generally not there.

My point was that while it is "theoretically" possible we don't want to mislead or justify all of the posters who stated they, their mother, their sister, their friend's all had periods there entire pregnancies and with each pregnancy, that just does not happen. And yes they do require a section due to lack of uterine tone. The only exception would be a preterm baby that is already making an appearance to the outside world.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

My mother swore she did when she was carrying me. Exactly what it was--whether it was a true regular cycle or just lots of spotting at regular periods (pardon the pun), who knows? I'm inclined to believe it was the latter.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Lemme just say, I am 17 years old.. 16 weeks pregnant. With a bicornuate uterus. Meaning my uterus is smaller, and shaped differently than a normal uterus. It's in more of a heart shape, which gives the baby less room to grow and often causes preterm labor, which requires a lot more supervision from your OB and I also attend a specialist every 2 weeks for them to keep an eye on my cervix. But yes, it is very possible for any woman to have a 'period' while pregnant, because myself, has experienced, and is currently experiencing it. Thought maybe i'd get a break from it for 9 months at least.. LOL nope, not for me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

Zombie thread!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion