Worried and scared - repeated discharge/bleeding at 6 weeks

[Mrs1989]

Sorry in advance for the long post

I found out I was pregnant on 11 Jan (first pregnancy) and was over the moon as husband and I had only started trying mid-Dec. Then, on 16th Jan, I found brown discharge when wiping after going to the toilet. This has been on and off for the past 4 1/2 days now, and there have been two occasions when it has become heavier - enough to stain a sanitary pad - although it has always been brown in colour (and I gather red blood is more worrying?). I also had period like cramps on the morning of 18th but these settled down quickly with no paracetamol. I went to the EPU at my local hospital on 17th so they could look at my cervix and take swabs to go off for tests (no results back as of yet and they said “no news is good news”). They could see the discharge but said that my cervix was closed, which they said was good, and, at this stage, there was nothing overly concerning them. They were lovely and told me to try to relax. They also said should it get heavier and red, like period blood, and if I get abdominal pain, to call them straight away.

The second bout of heavier bleeding (brown blood) happened yesterday (19th). I burst into tears and got into a state but didn’t ring EPU as they had said to only if it was red. The discharge has continued this morning and it just sets my nerves on edge every time I see it.

I asked my mum if she had experienced this (3 healthy pregnancies) and she hadn’t. I’m a generally anxious person anyway but since this started happening my mind has gone into overdrive. I can’t focus on anything and keep bursting into tears.

We told my mum and sister about the pregnancy soon after taking the test because we were so excited. We are going away with husband’s immediate family soon and we were really looking forward to telling them too. Now I’m not sure if we should, but at the same time I’m panicking that I will have a miscarriage when we’re away with them and that will be the first they know that I was pregnant I’m scared if I don’t tell husband’s family what is happening I will just end up having a breakdown in front of them at some point because I’m not good at holding my emotions in for too long.

I’ve already looked at forums and it seems brown blood can sometimes be harmless and the pregnancy is still healthy, yet sometimes it can be a precursor to red blood and a miscarriage, so I know it’s out of my control. I don’t know what I’m after really in posting this...I just think I needed to get it out. I had no idea before looking into it how common miscarriage is and I’m sad that I’ve gone from excited at being pregnant for the first time to miserable in the space of a week

[maria2bela]

Sorry you're going through this. I'd ask for an early scan or pay for a private one just to rule out an ectopic pregnancy. When I had an ectopic pregnancy I had brown bleeding.

However, with my second pregnancy I also had brown spotting from weeks 5-10, that pregnancy is now a 14 month old wee boy.

Try not to worry too much, if no red bleeding or pain then you will hopefully be ok, but a scan would be the best next step, if you can get the money together you could book one ASAP x

[toomanyleggings]

You could post here all day but nobody can tell you which way it will go. I had brown discharge and spotting up to being three months pregnant with my dd. I also had the same with my missed miscarriage. You just have to hope for the best until somebody tells you different. You can get an early scan but that will only tell you baby is ok on that given day. It won't tell you about the next day or the next week or the next month. Pregnancy is very hard and full of uncertainty.

[Mrs1989]

Thanks so much for your replies, I really appreciate it.

I know deep down it is just a waiting game and hoping for the best. It’s a good point about the early scan that that is not really going to alleviate my fears in coming weeks/months. I think I was just not prepared for the uncertainty. It’s my first pregnancy and having seen others go through it recently with no issues whatsoever, I think I just assumed that that would be the case for me too.

I am going to try to keep positive. Thank you again

[toomanyleggings]

Bless you. I hope it's ok and a nice sticky bean

[Mumsy89]

Try not to worry ( I know that's easier said then done ) I suffered with bleeding both at 6 weeks pregnant and 13 weeks pregnant and the blood was pink/red may I add not brown. After having scans on both occasions baby was fine and the sonographer put it down to an irritated cervix, brown blood is old blood which is a good sign that everything should be fine. Big hugs to you, it's a horrible feeling not knowing xx

[Piixxiiee]

I had this with my first pregnancy- I went to gp and she told me very matter of factly it could go either way. She organised an early scan for 6weeks and said if you see a heart beat the chances of miscarriage are massively reduced at that point. As you can appreciate I was in a panic and continued to spot brown and a bit of red for the almost 2 weeks I had to wait. Shes 6 now but I remember that feeling vividly. Sending sticky vibes and honestly take it easy and try not to panic xx

[Kona84]

I’m going through this too at the moment.
I’m just about 8 weeks if I go from last period but 6 weeks from conception.
It’s so scary I started with brown discharge yesterday, it’s not there every time I go to the loo but when it is there it’s clumpy.
It looks like before my period and my period would be due around now.
I’m trying to not think about it and hoping for the best.
Fortunately I see the midwife Wednesday so hoping it would have stopped by then or that she will check me over and put my mind at rest.
I haven’t had abdomen pain just a dull ache.
I had a all day headache today but put that down to anxiety.

I hope for both of us it isn’t anything to worry about.

[Mrs1989]

Thank you everybody for your replies. It's good to hear that it has worked out well for others who have experienced bleeding.

Kona84 - sorry to hear you are also going through this but hopefully you will soon get some reassurance/checks from your midwife. I think I'm a little way behind you as I'm 6 weeks from last period but I believe around 4 weeks from conception. It just feels such a long way from being able to see a midwife and have a scan, although I was grateful EPU were able to see me quickly and are available should the bleeding get worse. Trying to keep positive in the meantime. Wishing you all the best for your appointment on Wednesday.

[Flossie333]

@Mrs1989 hey, I have been having similar. I actually went for an early scan as I had had some pretty intense cramping and my GP wanted to rule out an ectopic. I was just under 6 weeks at that point and did see a tiny flicker of a heart beat which was lovely. However, as soon as the woman took the scanning probe out, I started to spot and have been on and off since Friday (including lots of cramps as well). I am hoping that it just irritated my cervix a bit, and mine is also brown at the moment, but either way it's so nerve wracking and I am constantly going to the loo to check. My GP has told me to not have sex until 12 weeks in case (not that i am feeling remotely like sex at the moment anyway ha) but thought I'd mention that to you in case. Everything I see online is conflicting, but the overall consensus is that brown is old blood and is quite common. The fact mine is combined with cramps doesn't make me feel great but just hoping it's my uterus that's stretching... 🤷🏼‍♀️. Let's keep in touch on it! Xxxxxx

[toomanyleggings]

@Flossie333 I don't like internal scans. People say they're ok but I had my scan at 7 weeks and saw a 'healthy heartbeat'. The woman was a bit heavy handed. I was very sore after the scan inside. Went on to have a mmc. If doctors say avoid sex, then I wouldn't let anyone put a probe up there. Surely most of those probes are comparable if not bigger than any man. I refused all internal scans when I was pregnant with my daughter

[Mrs1989]

@Flossie333 thanks for your message and sorry to hear you are going through similar. I have gone a bit crazy reading stuff online but the overall message I am getting is that at this stage nobody can be sure what is going to happen. I have come across information about the cervix getting irritated and being the reason for blood so that might be why you’ve had some brown blood after your scan. And the nurse I saw in EPU talked about the body getting ready to carry a baby and you can experience cramps for this reason, but I think it’s natural that we think the worst. We will definitely keep in touch and sending you a hug in the meantime. I should add I also don’t feel like sex at all (haven’t since my positive test) so I think I will be following your lead with that! xxx

[Kona84]

I’ll let you know how I get on tomorrow.
I started getting fresher red blood this evening, obviously been googling like a maniac.
Read that your body can still have a period and normally coincides with 8 weeks.
But I think I’m also trying to prepare myself for the worse.

[Kona84]

My boobs still hurt, I can’t stop peeing and I’m constantly tired. So still have some signs of pregnancy.

[clarewithoutani]

Hi ladies, totally hearing you guys. I've had two urine infections in past five weeks and I'm just over 10 weeks pregnant. What started off as brownish discharge on wiping turned into bright red blood by this afternoon. Couldn't see GP and called 111 and an obstetrician said it sounds like I'm experiencing a threatened miscarriage so bedrest for next 24 hours and absolutely no exertion. She explained I'm on the cusp of the placenta taking over and so this could be the reason for bleeding. I'm to call my GP to see if I can get referred to early pregnancy unit for a scan tomorrow. I'm a (much) older second time mum and definitely didn't have anything like this first time around. I'm just taking each day as it comes but it's hard to be upbeat.

[Kona84]

My spotting turned to bleeding last night, had to use a tampon to bed. At the moment it just looks like blood no clots etc. I see the midwife today for my booking in.
Will they give me a scan to confirm if it is a miscarriage? Or just have to wait it out?
I’ve been thinking about my symptoms leading up to this and realise that I’ve had menstrual symptoms- been eating chocolate loads, feeling moody and snappy, feeling bloated and more bowel movements which is my normal menstrual stuff.
It’s clutching at straws I know but could it be a period?

[Hopex3]

Kona84 I really hope everything goes okay for you, horrible scary time and people can have big bleeds and all be well. I would say though probably best not to use tampons atm just incase x

[clarewithoutani]

Hello Kona, please don't use a tampon but definitely call 111 and see what they advise. All those symptoms sound like pregnancy to me so hopefully you and your baby are fine.

Sadly I was rushed to hospital last night and have had sad news. Just waiting for my partner to arrive now.

[Kona84]

I have no pads in the house. I’ll go get some soon

[Kona84]

Got some pads.
I’m so nervous about going to my midwife appointment, I feel like I’m wasting their time now. But my partner keeps reading how this can happen and still be pregnant.
I

[Darkstar4855]

I had brown spotting with occasional dark red from 5.5-7.5 weeks and was terrified that I was miscarrying. Baby is now sitting in front of me smearing yoghurt round his face! Fingers crossed for good news

[Kona84]

Got an appointment with early pregnancy unit tomorrow morning. So long to wait.
I’m an emotional wreck. The midwife I saw today was lovely and explained what else it could be as I haven’t had any pain.

[clarewithoutani]

Fingers and toes crossed for you x

[Flossie333]

@clarewithoutani I'm so sorry it's not good news. Sending you a gentle hug xxxxxx

@Kona84 keeping everything crossed for you! Keep us updated. Xxxx

[clarewithoutani]

Thank you so much @Flossie333. It's much appreciated. How are you getting on? Xxx

[Flossie333]

@clarewithoutani I've had more spotting today and so have booked in for another scan on Friday morning. I'm so stressed about it and just know that I won't be able to go on just not knowing if everything is ok xxxxx