Chrissy Teigen hospitalised for pregnancy blood loss
Chrissy Teigen has been admitted to hospital after suffering bleeding for the last month of her pregnancy.
Teigen, who has two children - Luna, 4 and Miles, 2 - with husband, John Legend, described the abnormal bleeding as “like if you were to turn a faucet onto low and leave it there” in a candid message on her Instagram account.
She explained how she had been suffering from blood loss for the past month, which she described as “more than your period” and “definitely not spotting”. She also said her placenta was “really, really weak”.
After a spell of bed rest, Teigen was admitted to hospital after the blood loss worsened.
Teigen urged her followers not to diagnose her given that they don’t know the ins and outs of her condition, but reassured fans “I'm so excited for him, he's the strongest little dude. He's the strongest coolest dude in the sh***iest house”.
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Although bleeding during pregnancy is “relatively common”, according to the NHS, any type of vaginal bleeding should be immediately reported to your midwife or GP.
In Teigen’s case, heavy, prolonged bleeding has led to hospitalisation, but there are many causes of bleeding in pregnancy that aren’t always a cause for concern.
There are a range of reasons a pregnant woman might bleed during both early pregnancy and late pregnancy, and some of the more common reasons to look out for include implantation bleeding, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy and a low-lying placenta.
Early pregnancy
Implantation bleeding, which is often described as “spotting” is a harmless light bleeding that some women might experience as the embryo plants itself in the wall of the womb.
The NHS explain that this type of bleeding will usually occur very early on in the pregnancy at around the same time your period would have been due.
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Within the first 12 weeks, bleeding can be a sign of early miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. 1 in 5 women will suffer miscarriages before 24 weeks pregnant, but it is more common within the first 12 weeks.
Bleeding can be a sign of miscarriage, but there are other indicators, too:
cramping and pain in your lower abdomen
a discharge or fluid from your vagina
a discharge of tissue from your vagina
no longer experiencing the symptoms of pregnancy, such as breast tenderness and feeling sick
There are many reasons women experience these symptoms during pregnancy, so always speak to a midwife or GP as the first port of call.
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Similarly, an ectopic pregnancy is when the fertilised egg implants outside the womb – for example, in the fallopian tube.
This usually happens between 4 and 12 weeks of pregnancy but can happen later. Indicators include:
tummy pain low down on one side
vaginal bleeding or a brown, watery discharge
pain in the tip of your shoulder
discomfort when peeing or pooing
These can also be a sign of an upset stomach, for example, but it’s important to rule out all possibilities with your midwife or GP.
Later pregnancy
In later pregnancy, a “show”, placental abruption and a low-lying placenta can all be reasons for bleeding.
“This is when the plug of mucus that has been in the cervix during pregnancy comes away, signalling that the cervix is getting ready for labour to start.” The NHS explains.
This can happen a few days before contractions or labour begins.
Placental issues can be another reason for bleeding - as is the case with Teigen. Placental abruption can occur when the placenta begins to come away from the womb wall.
A low-lying placenta - also known as placenta praevia - can cause heavy bleeding and is described as “when the placenta is attached in the lower part of the womb, near to or covering the cervix.”
In all cases of bleeding during pregnancy, you may need to have a vaginal or pelvic examination or ultrasound to figure out the reason for the bleed.
There are plenty of harmless reasons women bleed during pregnancy, but it’s best to always seek the advice of your midwife or GP to rule out any underlying issues.
