chemical pregnancy? What do I do?

[Merryme]

My period didn't arrive this month, I'm normally like clockwork. We haven't been planning a baby, have 2 DC already, so it was a shock. I did a few tests the day my period was due, all faintly positive except a digital which said 'not pregnant'.

I've been lightly spotting and having cramps throughout, I thought my period was coming initially. This morning I have woken up and am bleeding, not heavily but like a light period.

Should I retest? Does this sound like a chemical pregnancy? Do I just wait and see what happens? I'm all over the place emotionally, I'd eventually fallen asleep last night pleased to be pregnant after being terrified when I first found out.

It's probably going to have to be a wait and see sort of thing. I've bled early in pregnancy and it's been fine, but I've also bled early in pregnancies and then gone on to miscarry. I'd give it a couple of days and then test again xx

Thanks 5green I've lost my head a bit with it, I feel really thrown by it and am confused so can't think straight. I'll see what happens.

It's a horrible waiting game ☹️

@Merryme sorry to hear you're going through this. I had a chemical pregnancy (early miscarriage) last month. Mine started with a bit of bleeding when I wiped that quickly turned bright red and more of it. The next day I passed clots and bled more. I bled heavier longer and cramped more than my normal period.

Bleeding in early pregnancy isn't always a sign of that and can go on to have a healthy pregnancy. It's unfortunately just going to be a wait and see, if you're concerned try to see your dr but maybe retest in a few days? 🤞🏻 for you

I had similar although I thought I was having a normal period and only tested when the bleeding went on for a lot longer than normal. The tests went negative about two or three weeks after period was due I think. Doctors prob not much use at this point unless you have any concerns about your wider health as it's too early for a scan - it's a wait and see as others have said. I did bleed for about 6 weeks altogether so I was surprised how long it took. I did get pregnant again before my next period - I know that isn't something you are probably in the right headspace to consider at the moment but I just thought I'd mention in case it's important to you not to get pregnant again. With all the hormones etc I know how confusing it can be (and it was simpler for me as I only took the test after I'd started bleeding so I knew it might well not turn into an ongoing pregnancy.). Look after yourself.

@Danascully2 sorry to hear you've been through something similar. Are you sure you were further along? Normally a chemical is like a heavier slightly longer period (mine was 5 instead of 2)

Glad to hear you managed to conceive again so quickly afterward and wish you a healthy pregnancy 😁 (assuming this was relatively recently and your little one isn't already here☺️)

Drs can't help but they might do bloods to check levels to confirm whether it's looking ok or chemical if it is really upsetting you.

I had one last month and got my bfp on Monday. I'm panicking it will happen again so going drs tomorrow for bloods, I now they won't be able to stop it if it is going to happen again but the results will at least give me confirmation and either prepare me so I can accept it or put my mind at ease if it looks ok

🤞🏻 for you

Hi Abi, that was a few years ago - uneventful pregnancy that time. The chemical pregnancy wasn't actually that upsetting because with my first one we'd tried unsuccessfully for years without any sign of anything (eventually it just happened) so I took it as a good sign that something had happened so quickly. Also I'd already been bleeding for a few weeks before I thought to do a test so I was pretty sure it wasn't a normal pregnancy. But I know that it could be quite upsetting for many people in other circumstances. Doctor wasn't much use - just said if test is at all positive I must be pregnant regardless of any bleeding and was going to book me in with the midwives. I said I'd wait and see...

@Danascully2 uneventful is good 😁 very late but congratulations 😁 oh blimey that's so long to bleed, can't believe they were that useless when it can be such a worrying and stressful time. Glad you got through it ok 💕

Thanks Abi and Dana for your replies, sorry you've been through this too.

I am bleeding more now and quite a few clots so I think it is a chemical/ early miscarriage. I kind of wish I'd never tested and just assumed my period was late but I had a feeling I was pregnant and was worried so took a test straight away.

Not helped by the fact my DH is relieved I'm now bleeding and/or thinks I was never pregnant but was imagining it and this is just a normal period. He doesn't want a third baby, hence why I was so worried.

I don't even know if I want a third baby, I just know I was terrified when I saw the lines on the test but that by the time I fell asleep last night I was coming around to the idea. And now this.

I'm not complaining at all, I know I am lucky to have two dc and no fertility issues up until now. I really just can't believe how much this has scrambled my thoughts. I've had a very tough year and wasn't expecting this to happen now.

Really appreciate your replies.

Oh gosh that must be a real emotional rollercoaster, doesn't sound like your DH has been entirely supportive but I guess it has been a shock for him too. I hope your year gets better.