Ruling on Bleeding During Pregnancy and Its Classification

Bleeding During Pregnancy: Does It Count as Menstruation?


Source: Fatawa Arkan al-Islam

❖ Question​

Does the blood that appears in a pregnant woman count as menstrual blood (ḥayḍ)?

❖ Answer​

Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!


A pregnant woman normally does not menstruate. Imām Aḥmad رحمه الله said:


“Women regard the cessation of menstruation as a sign of pregnancy.”


According to the scholars, menstrual blood is that which Allah ﷻ has created in the womb to nourish the fetus. When pregnancy occurs, menstruation usually stops.

❖ Exception – Menstruation During Pregnancy​

Some women continue to menstruate in their usual manner during pregnancy. In this case, the blood will be counted as menstrual blood because pregnancy has not affected it.


Therefore:
◈ This blood takes the ruling of menstrual blood.
◈ It prevents all acts that menstruation normally prevents (such as prayer, fasting, etc.).
◈ It necessitates all acts that menstruation normally requires (such as ghusl).

❖ Summary – Two Types of Blood During Pregnancy​

1. First Type:
   Blood that flows in the same pattern as it did before pregnancy.
   
   • Pregnancy has not affected the menstruation.
   • This blood will be counted as menstrual blood.
2. Second Type:
   Blood that begins suddenly due to some accident, heavy lifting, falling, etc.
   
   • This is not menstrual blood but blood from a ruptured vein.
   • It does not prevent prayer or fasting.
   • The woman will be considered in the same ruling as a pure (non-menstruating) woman.

ھٰذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب