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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Light bleeding in early pregnancy

10 replies

TheWildOnes · 01/05/2012 14:11

I am around 7 weeks pregnant and have had some light bleeding/bloody discharge today, I haven't had any pain. I know it's quite common to have bleeds in early pregnancy but was just looking for some reassurance from others who have experienced the same.

I feel terrible, this will be my third child and wasn't planned, we have just got our heads round the fact we are having another, and are now very excited, if something happens now I would be devastated!

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PickleSarnie · 01/05/2012 14:36

I've been pregnant four times and had some sort of bleeding every time. I've had two miscarriages, 1 son and I'm currently 25 weeks pregnant.

The first miscarriage, I didn't even know I was pregnant until about 7 weeks. I'd taken the morning after pill after the condom broke. The bleeding was light but constant and went on for a couple of weeks and I had a one-sided pain. When I found out I was pregnant, they thought it could be ectopic but in the end, I never found out because I had a miscarriage.

The second pregnancy (that resulted in my DS) I had some brown spotting and no pain at around 7-8 weeks. It went away, never came back and all was well.

The third pregnancy (and 2nd miscarriage) started with pink spotting but very quickly turned into proper period like bleeding with accompanying period like pains.

The fourth pregnancy I had a massive amount of bleeding for two days (like a really heavy period) and then 2 weeks of brown blood when I wiped. They found a haematoma on the scan which was causing the bleeding. I never had any pain though.

So, the recurring similarity between them all is that I had pain with the miscarriages and none with the continuing pregnancies. So I think it's probably good that you've had no pain.

Unfortunately, you'll find that midwives are quite flippant if you call and tell them you're bleeding. Especially so early. I think it's probably because the vast majority of cases, it doesn't mean anything i.e. the pregnancy will continue normally. And also because in the sad minority, there's nothing they can do.

If you continue to bleed though, its worth either seeing if your EPU does self-referal ( most dont - but some do. St Georges in SW London for example do) otherwise see your GP and get a referal for an early scan. At 7 weeks, they should be able to see a heartbeat and to check your cervix is closed.

Hope it all goes well! x

minipie · 01/05/2012 16:17

Light bleeding in early pg is very common (about 1 in 5) and does not necessarily mean you are having or will have a mc.

Speak to the midwives or your GP and see what they say. You may be able to get referred for a scan.

I was referred for a scan after bleeding at 6 weeks, to check it was not an ectopic pg - my GP took it quite seriously and referred me straight away. My scan showed all was well.

If you get a scan, at 7 weeks you should (just about) be able to see a heartbeat. If you see a heartbeat, then the chance of miscarrying after that drops to 10% (even with previous bleeding).

TheWildOnes · 02/05/2012 09:08

Thanks for the info ladies, it has stopped at the minutte so fingers crossed it will stay this way.

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Birdies · 02/05/2012 11:41

When I had a miscarriage the bleeding didn't stop. When I got pregnant again, I had bleeding at about 6 weeks but it stopped within an hour. Then had some again later on. But all was fine. I think it's when it doesn't stop and is accompanied by severe cramps that it's bad. Otherwise more likely to be normal (I still got a scan each time though for reassurance).

TheWildOnes · 02/05/2012 13:25

There has been a little bit of blood today now (red discharge, sorry TMI) still no pain though. Will have to keep an eye on it, haven't been to the doctors, not sure if they will even be any help!

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dontforget2scream · 02/05/2012 13:44

The WildOnes I have my fingers very firmly crossed for you that all will be well.

Please think about ringing your Early Pregnancy Unit. I went to see my doctor with bleeding at 7 weeks (started as brown discharge on a Friday, then progressed to pink spotting and then turned into light red bleeding by the monday) and he said all he could do was refer me for a scan but it was better if I rang and spoke to them directly.

Unfortunately, I went on to miscarry but when things started to take a turn for the worse in the early hours of Tuesday I felt so relieved I had a scan appointment already booked for later that morning.

Thinking of you at such an anxious time. It is so very, very horrible going to the loo and praying each time that there will be nothing to see.

ItsMyLastOne · 02/05/2012 13:59

With DD I had loads of bleeding, like a heavy period solidly till 7 weeks, then getting lighter and more infrequent till 14 weeks. I had no problems at all though and dd was absolutely fine.

This time I'm 9 weeks and have had bleeding like a light period from 3-6 weeks, then more in the last 10 days or so. I had an early scan yesterday just to check on things and all seems fine. Hopefully I will have a happy outcome again this time, but I know it's scary!

ItsMyLastOne · 02/05/2012 14:01

I forgot to ask, have you found it's worse after sex? I have found it has been the case for me and I have been advised not to have sex until I'm sure the bleeding has stopped.

TheWildOnes · 02/05/2012 14:06

I am too scared for sex ATM, I still haven't had any pain at all.
Thanks to everyone that has replied.

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Purplelooby · 06/05/2012 22:24

I had a small amount of bleeding at 7 + 4 and then 8 + 3. I went to the GP and he was very unworried (although he didn't make me feel better when he said, 'the worst that can happen is that you lose it or it has implanted in the wrong place' as if that wasn't the reason I was panicking in the first place). Anyway to cut a long story short all was fine...

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