Is bleeding normal?

Hi, I went to my GYN yesterday because of bleeding during sex. The doctor took a culture from my cervix to check for infection. I never experienced any issues with my gynocological exams before but yesterday I felt discomfort, cramping and eventually bleeding after I left the doctor's office. I suspected light spotting may be normal but I am bleeding clots and clumps of tissue. I'm pretty sure it's not my period b/c it's not due in another 6 days (i'm usually regular). here are my concerns:
1) Is it normal to have moderate bleeding after a culture is scraped from the cervix?
2) I'm also trying to conceive - is it silly of me to think that the bleeding may be a sign of miscarriage caused by the procedure if I had succeeded in getting pregnant this month?
I'm really worried...Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

[Lennox Hoyte, M.D.]

The cervix is usually more friable (i.e easier to make bleed) if you are pregnant. However, bleeding after sex can also be caused by cervicitis (cervical infections) or abnormalities to the cells which line the cervix (which can be caught by a pap smear).

You should get a pregnancy test. Even if you were pregnant, doing the cervical test will not trigger a miscarriage. These tests are routinely done on pregnant women at their first OB visit.

[postop21]

Maybe your cycle is changing.  I do believe that a woman's menstrual cycle changes, especially depending on your age.  When I was in my late 20's and 30's, my cycle sometimes changed, varying only a few days from the expected due date.  This can be a factor.

[cyc1]

Dr. Hoyte, you hit it on the nail!  I just took a home pregnancy test and I'm pregnant!  I'm so happy!  But I'm still worried about the bleeding.  Do you think it's implantation bleeding?  I thought implantation bleeding only causes spotting not really full on bleeding.  Also, if my bleeding is a sign of an infection, how will it affect my pregnancy?  

Thanks!

[Lennox Hoyte, M.D.]

Congratulations!
First step. get a quantitative blood pregnancy test. This can be followed every 2 days or so until it gets to a level at which the pregnancy can be seen by ultrasound. Bleeding in early pregnancy usually gets worked up in this way. In the process, have your ob/gyn check the results of the cervical test and do the appropriate therapy.

The majority of bleeding in early pregnancy does not lead to miscarriage.