Bleeding+long journey due tomorrow - what would you do?

[Scotlian]

I'd really appreciate some advice / wisdom / experience of others / reassurance...will try to keep this short.

Just found out I am very newly pregnant with second baby (thanks to all who answered my "very faint positive line" thread!). My period was due Sunday, this morning a definite positive test so yes pg but only 4 weeks or so.

This afternoon I went to the loo and there was blood. Pinky-brown, not much, a bit of cramping but not sure anymore than normal pregnancy feeling. Never ever happened when pg with ds so a bit freaked.

The situation: tomorrow I'm supposed to travel abroad to visit my family. This will involve a 6 am start, two flights with a 6 hour connection wait, and a 2 hour drive from airport to home at the other end of the journey, arriving at 8pm if all goes well. My ds is 10 months but massive, 11.3 kg (25lbs) so I'd be hiking him + bags about too. Dh can't come cos no holidays left.

The question: should I stay here and rest and go when bleeding has settled? Is it true rest helps stop bleeding? I heard that if it's going to be a miscarriage nothing you do / don't do will make a difference. SO maybe I should just go and have a day from travel stress hell but then be on holiday with my folks.

My gut feeling is to defer flights for a couple of weeks to let this settle down...but would appreciate any words of wisdom you can offer..thanks.

[Karrierbag]

Go with your gut feeling Could be implantation bleeding and that's nothing to worry about and after all that travelling you'll probably be more tired than anything! Do what your body's teeling you to, if you feel that you should rest then do so, unfortunately mc can't be stopped by resting but it does help you relax a bit more! I'm sure everything will be fine for you but please go and see gp if you're at all worried! xx

[Scotlian]

Not sure what gp could do - it's too early to do any kind of scan isn't it?
Wise words that mc can't be stopped but at least I can be as rested as possible...

[Karrierbag]

Yes, I think it is too early for a scan sorry I didn't take that into account.. And your prob right about gp being able to do anything! Duh! Sorry again, Not much help am I!!?! Hopefully someone will be able to give you a clearer answer than I did (not hard really!) and put your mind more at rest!
xx

[PootleTheFlump]

Scotlian, sorry to hear you're having a worrying time. I had bleeding in early pg and dd is now 9 wks & fine. Resting can't influence the outcome, but it may make you feel better & like you're doing what you can iyswim? To be perfectly honest, that journey sounds tricky at the best of times. You need to think through what you would do if bleeding became heavier at the airport for example, and how you would feel being so far from home/DH. Also, health insurance and medical provision where you're going is a consideration.

Could you get an early scan or get checked out at EPU before you go to put your mind at rest?

Only you can decide!! Have a good time whatever you decide, good luck

[Katherine329]

Sorry you're going through this and hope all ends up OK. I agree with you that at this early stage (a) your GP cannot do anything and (b) it's too early for a scan to say anything definitive.

If it helps any, I've been through four miscarriages myself (and very much hope that isn't what's happening here) of which one was around 4-4.5weeks so same time as this. The bleeding really wasn't any different to a normal period (if you are worrying at the moment about heavier-than-normal bleeding while travelling). What I did find helpful was serial pregnancy tests by which I could see (sadly) the pregnancy hormone HCG go up then down. (I was using so-called "internet cheapie" HPT sticks and so it didn't cost too much: but at least I knew what was happening.)

I hope all goes well with you and take care.

[Scotlian]

Karrierbag you are helpful, it is important to know that nothing can be done if a miscarriage is going to happen but also important to feel rested as possible so thankyou!

Pootle I know I was a bit stressed at the thought of the journey anyway, but now...have images of me juggling baby, buggy, bags and coats though security only to feel bleeding start heavily. Not good.

Katherine thanks for very honest account of what maybe is painful to remember. This is lighter than a period still but might be the start of something heavier.

Will try to take care as much as possible when crawling after very active baby boy. Am very very very grateful now for his exuberantly good health and seamless pregnancy...