Is early pregnancy vaginal bleeding a risk factor for preterm labor?

Abstract

Introduction: Preterm birth (PTB) has been a major source of infant illness and death globally for decades. Pregnant women get 14%–20% vaginal bleeding. Aim of the study: To determine if early pregnancy vaginal bleeding increase the risk of preterm labor. Method: This retrospective case-control research was undertaken at Al Mawany teaching hospital from October 1, 2021, to August 1, 2022, with a convenient sample of 180 pregnant women admitted to the labour department in labour, 90 women with term births, and 90 women with preterm births. Participants provided age, parity, gestational age, gynaecological, medical, and surgical histories. Every woman was examined. All pregnant women admitted in labour (term and preterm) were retrospectively asked about vaginal bleeding in the first and second trimesters. Results:  Early pregnancy vaginal bleeding increased the risk of premature labour (75% vs. 43.8%). Preterm moms were more likely to have menstrual-like vaginal bleeding (51.9%) than term mothers (66.7%). 37% of preterm women reported vaginal bleeding in the 2nd trimester, compared to 0% of term mothers. Vaginal haemorrhage was substantially associated with early preterm birth (58.3% vs. 25%). PPROM was greater in individuals with vaginal haemorrhage (22.2%) than those without (5.6%). Conclusion: Pregnancy Menstrual-like vaginal bleeding in the second trimester is more likely to cause premature labour than first-trimester spotting.