Spotting in ninth month
19 December, 2004
Question:I am now in my ninth month of pregnancy and have some questions regarding spotting. My assumption is that spotting that occurs on toilet paper or colored cloth will not make me niddah, as is usually the case. What happens, however, if blood is seen on something that is placed inside the vaginal canal, such as my doctor's glove after an examination, my hand or other equipment after a birth-preparatory stretching exercise or my husband's body after marital relations? Given that this blood is most likely cervical, will this make me niddah? if the answer varies depending on the situation, please address each situation mentioned.
Thank you so much for your help!!!
Answer:B'sha'ah tovah!
The rules of spotting in pregnancy are the same as the rules at any other time, although the pregnancy should be mentioned when posing a halachic question. Note that our halachic ruling is that it is best not to look at toilet paper, and that spotting on toilet paper can make a woman a niddah if she has wiped within fifteen seconds of urinating. Please see our article on toilet paper for more information.
Blood on a doctor's glove from a vaginal exam, on birth preparatory equipment that enters the vaginal canal, or on the male member after relations, makes a woman a niddah unless a medical professional establishes a non-uterine source for the bleeding, such as the outside of the cervix. In the case of blood on the husband after relations, if a non-uterine source of the blood cannot be established, then the woman must perform a bedikah after she has immersed prior to the next time she has intercourse.
It is permitted — and recommended if feasible — to rinse off your hands and equipment without looking at them. You and your husband should not look for blood after relations. Use colored sheets, and wipe yourselves afterwards with colored towels or with tissues that you discard without looking at. If a doctor sees blood on a glove, you should ask him or her to check for lesions on the cervix or vaginal lining that are bleeding, or that could bleed. You may find the form Information to Provide After a Gynecological Examination/Procedure, available on our Jewish Women's Health website and app, to be helpful.
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