Around week 3 of the menstrual cycle and if the embryo manages to implant, the next thing to worry about is any bleeding. I repeat as always: No discharge or bleeding is normal during pregnancy.

“Hey! But someone told me that it is normal to have bleeding and it is called implantation bleeding.”

No! Please, no. In fact I don’t know why they call it implantation bleeding, it should be called implantation spotting and it doesn’t happen at any time, it is a spotting that occurs just on the day that your period was due. The endometrium is not perfect and although the signal that there is a pregnancy was received, probably a small section of the outermost layer came off somehow and that caused a spotting. It is a faint spotting, like pink or brown and it is not a law that it has to happen, only some women have that spotting and for many that spotting is the first sign that they are pregnant.

If you are already several weeks pregnant and suddenly start having heavy, flowing, deep-colored bleeding, don’t think twice, go for a consultation immediately.

Another advantage of performing ultrasound is that it helps us identify if there are anatomical defects. One of the most common is called Asherman’s syndrome and basically refers to the existence of adhesions in the internal walls of the uterus. They usually appear after severe infections, MVAs or some scrapings. In some cases, the adhesions are so severe that they prevent the endometrium from developing, affecting fertility.

Other common defects are polyps and fibroids. These are abnormal growths of the endometrium and uterine muscle, respectively. Unfortunately, if the embryo implants on top of these growths, it is very likely that it will not develop correctly and will die within a few weeks. There is not much we can do about it during pregnancy. With some luck, we can give nutritional supplements and help the placenta to grow and develop quickly, but if the pregnancy is lost, it would be advisable to operate on the polyps or fibroids before trying to get pregnant again. I am often asked if ovarian cysts affect pregnancy, and no, they really don’t.

Ovarian cysts and polycystic ovary syndrome can reduce the chances of getting pregnant, but if you have already managed to get pregnant, don’t worry! Nothing will happen to your baby, and if for some reason your doctor suggests surgery for your cysts during pregnancy, please seek a second opinion, come see us, because there is no point in putting your baby at risk.

Most mothers know that during pregnancy you should not smoke, drink, self-medicate, take drugs, expose yourself to chemicals or toxins, that you should not take x-rays of the abdomen and that you should moderate your consumption of coffee, tea, foods with excess sodium, sugars and preservatives, but here comes one of the most common risks… I didn’t know I was pregnant.

The good thing is that babies are very resistant and exposure to these substances does not usually cause fetal death, the bad thing is that many women then think that nothing bad is happening, in fact at least once a month, I come across a comment on YouTube from a mother claiming that even if she took drugs or smoked every day her baby was born very beautiful and without deformities.

And yes, that’s right! Exposure to these substances is not going to cause your baby to lose an ear or grow three arms, but little by little they will realize the problems with their behavior. They are babies who are dependent on substances and that is why they cry a lot, even if they are not hungry or sleepy and are clean, they continue crying for no apparent reason. As children they can have attention problems, they are problematic teenagers and as adults they are more likely to develop addictions or conditions such as diabetes.

The absence of the menstrual period is a good sign of pregnancy for most women, usually only those who suffer from irregular periods are those who do not realize they are pregnant, so my recommendation, especially if you suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome or hormonal imbalances, is to always be alert to other signs of pregnancy such as: nausea, increase in the size and sensitivity of the breasts, being very tired or sleepy and of course… unusual cravings. If you suddenly feel like eating something you have never liked very often, take a pregnancy test!

The next risk is very important and it is about infections. It is a little sad, but I think that half of the new patients who have never come to a consultation, come for the first time because they have an infection that has already gotten out of control. They come and tell me that they have been on treatment for a few weeks, and obviously, I ask them what type of infection they have and they tell me that they don’t know, but that they have already bought this cream or this ovule and it hasn’t worked for them.

And that is the crux of the matter! That an infection can be due to viruses, bacteria, fungi and of course, even when we talk about bacteria there are hundreds of probable bacteria.

Remember, we say it in every video: Knowledge is power and the first step is to have the correct diagnosis, get a urine culture, a vaginal culture, it is cheap, fast and can save your baby’s life.

Being overweight can cause complications for the mother’s health, especially in the third trimester, but during the first trimester the real danger for the baby is when the mother is underweight, because usually that means that the endometrium is very thin and the placenta will have problems absorbing nutrients, it could even detach, which, if the placenta detaches, the pregnancy is lost immediately.

Remember that during pregnancy it is important to have a balanced diet, preferably small portions but more often, eating up to five or six times a day and although there are nutritional supplements and vitamins, nothing beats getting nutrients naturally. Every day you should eat fruits and vegetables, milk and its derivatives, carbohydrates whether in pasta, bread, tortilla or seeds, eat meat and eggs, drink a lot of water… Pure water, not sugary drinks.

Returning to the reasons why it is worth telling others that you are pregnant, we come to danger number nine: Strong blows.

Fortunately, the embryo is wrapped in a gestational sac, floating in amniotic fluid, surrounded by the muscles of the uterus and protected by the pelvis, at least on the sides and back. In fact, it is very unlikely that a push or a bump will affect it, but you should not exaggerate.

If you have a severe blow or a traffic accident, it is worth performing an ultrasound, but pay attention and notify your doctor of the blow, because it is not just a matter of checking the baby, it is more likely that the blow has affected the placenta and you should check if there are no bruises or signs of detachment.

Now, if you have ever suffered physical violence in your home, please seek help immediately. Statistically, you are almost three times more likely to suffer a miscarriage, do not stay still, seek help.