Pregnancy worry - bleed at 17 weeks

[gumdropss]

I just wondered if anyone might have any advice / experience they can offer.

I am 17 weeks pregnant and this is my first pregnancy. So far everything has been going well. I had my dating scan at 13 weeks where all was well and a midwife appointment last week where I heard the heartbeat for the first time.

I went to bed last night as usual, no pain or discomfort (apart from usual pregnancy twinges here and there) and woke up this morning at 5am for a wee. I was really shocked and scared to see blood covering the tissue when I wiped. I kept wiping and there was more but then it kind of tailed off. I put a sanitary towel on, called out for my husband who was asleep, and we drove to a&e.

I waited for a little while and was then seen by maternity triage. The nurse used a doppler and found the heartbeat straight away. She said that they did not need to scan me because of the heartbeat, but could not say why I might be bleeding. She asked to look at my pad and it only had a small amount (approx size of 10p piece) of brownish looking blood / discharge. I thought that the blood this morning was bright red but I was half asleep so maybe it wasn't...

The nurse said that 30% of women bleed during pregnancy for no reason and to just keep an eye on things and call the triage if the bleeding gets heavier or I have any pain. She did also say to stop taking aspirin for a few days (I was prescribed it a few weeks ago due to weight and high blood pressure) as that could be the reason for bleeding.

I've come into work and just keep going to the toilet to check. There is nothing on my pad but when I wipe there are small amounts of bright red blood. I called my midwife to discuss this morning and she just said the same as the nurse to keep an eye on things.

I am not sure what I'm looking for anyone to say. I guess I'm just hoping for reassurance that this has happened to others and things ended up okay? Though I realise every pregnancy experience is different. My next scan is in 4 weeks.

[helenatroy]

Why don't you have a private scan to put your mind at ease. Baby bond very good and has kept me sane. I'm 19.5 weeks.

[socktastic]

I had a bleed at 18 weeks which turned out to be a graze on my cervix which apparently is quite common. The blood vessels in that area are really quite fryable when you're pregnant and can rupture more easily.
I'd say you should phone the midwives back and ask if they could do a speculum check to have a look at things. It's more likely that it's coming from somewhere in your vagina rather than your womb.

[lists4life]

Socktastic is quite right - Cervical erosions are very common and are brought on by the increased oestrogen in your system when you are pregnant. They don't affect the pregnnacy adversely and clear up by themselves without treatment.

[gumdropss]

Thanks so much everyone, I really appreciate your responses.

Helena - I hadn't even thought about a private scan, even though I had one an early reassurance one. Will definitely consider this.

Socks and Lists - I hadn't heard of cervical erosions before. I will give the midwife another call.

[helenatroy]

Hello Gumdrlops

Hope all is well. Had 20 week scan today and all was well. However was told that I had low lying placenta and that there was a higher chance of bleeding. Did you get any reassurance?