What is the difference between spotting and light bleeding?

[waitingandwishing]

I know this might seem like a really stupid question but how do you tell if you are spotting or just lightly bleeding?

AF is due tomorrow (according to FF) yesterday woke up with cramps and when I went to the loo had some pinky blood when I wiped (sorry tmi), since then had mostly brown/pinky stuff when I have been to the loo and a bit on a pad, not like normal AF. Is this spotting or just a light AF?

Any opinions welcome!

I would class that as spotting, I don't class it as proper AF until I get real red blood 'flow' if you know what I mean?

Spotting is only there when you wipe. If you really need a pad, its light bleeding. As cloclo15 says, you count what you're describing as spotting for FF. CD 1 is proper flow. Hth.

I don't know about just there when you wipe - I get several days of dark brown spotting which does need a pad (prob about 2 50p worth in size each day) before real red blood flow and I would describe these as spotting - what I lose on those days doesn't look like proper af blood at all.

Thank you for your comments. My AF normally starts very heavy straight away that's why this is strange for me and I asked the question! Now quite sure this is spotting so will have to wait and see if AF starts properly!

On day 3 of spotting now....AF due today. I have sore boobs, nausea and feel drained and tired...any chance of being pg?

Yes there is certainly a chance, especially as this is not normal for you.
Test in the morning if no AF by then, I reckon.

Yup I agree especially if its unusual!