Bleeding/Spotting in early pregnancy (may contain TMI)

[TheReverendBlueJeans]

I'm very new to this so apologies if I don't know all the right abbreviations and forum etiquette!

I'm currently 5 weeks and 3 days pregnant and on Thursday night I had some vaginal bleeding. I was basically constipated and forced a bowel movement and then noticed a couple of drops of blood in the bowl which was definitely from my vagina when I wiped. There was none on my pants or when I wiped the next time I went to the loo but I decided to phone NHS24 anyway who told me to keep an eye on it and get back in touch if there was any more bleeding. I've since had some intermittent spotting, pinkish blood at first later on Thursday night and then brownish yesterday which have been a discharge consistency. It's not enough to need a sanitary towel or pantyliner though. I haven't had any sharp pains but did have back pain last night like the sort of pain I get just before my period usually shows up.

So I called the Early Pregnancy Support Centre this morning who were lovely and I've been asked to go in for blood tests to check my hormone levels as it's too early for them to see anything on an ultrasound scan. I'm just wondering if anyone else has had anything similar happen to them at this stage of pregnancy and if so is there anything that can put my mind at rest? I'm a bit of a worrier so can't get the worst case scenario out of my mind now :-(

This happened to me at 5 + 3 too....
I don't think that forcing a bowel movement would cause vaginal bleeding, I've had constipation and midwife told me not to worry about hurting the baby.
I had brownish/pinkish spotting, no cramps and a little lower backache. Went to A&e and they did a blood test to check HCG levels (this was a Friday night) and as they were high enough they booked an internal scan for me on the Monday morning. By this point the spotting had stopped and scan showed a heartbeat, but they did advise it was early for me to be able to see this.
Backache continued for a few more weeks apparently unrelated to spotting. They also did another scan 2 weeks later to check all was still okl

I'm now 25 weeks and apart from continuing morning sickness all ok fingers crossed for you.

Oh and try not to panic (I know it's difficult) spotting is more common than I thought in pregnancy and doesn't always indicate a problem.

Thanks BatPenguin it's reassuring to know someone else has had similar issues & it hasn't been anything untoward. I'm trying to keep calm so hopefully once I've had the blood tests it'll put my mind at rest!

I had some bleeding around 5/6 weeks, booked myself a private scan and was told it was probably just implanting or the placenta attaching itself properly. Just remember to stay calm, I know it sounds impossible but drs told me stressing could bring on more problems. I hope everything is ok and congratulations

Spotting and old blood/discharge is quite common and not normally a sign of miscarriage.

Go to the EPU anyway just to put your mind at ease.

Apart from that try to rest and not stress out (easier said than done). Best of luck and to a healthy happy pregnancy for you OP

I had bleeding at 7 weeks and 10weeks - baby was fine on both occasions and I'm now 19 weeks pregnant Bleeding doesn't always mean bad news. I hope you have a happy and healthy pregnancy

Yes I did in my 2nd pregnancy with dd this is my thread www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pregnancy/1567101-1st-trimester-bleeding

It continued off and on till 32 weeks as I had a cervical erosion that was the most likely cause. Dd is now 7 months

Let us know how you get on if you can.

writer I remember your posts, glad all is ok with you now.

Hi op. Try not to worry! I had 10 days+ of brown/pink/orangey spotting from about 5+3. They saw a sac on ultrasound and had a follow up scan where heartbeat was detected. Now I'm 14+4 and all fine. From the answers I got at the time from other women I think early spotting is pretty common. Unless it's heavy and bright red and with pain then I'd really try not to worry (especially if your hcg levels are doubling - hopefully you'll get that confirmation soon). I Think the bowl movement was just a coincidence. Keep us updated x

*bowel !

Thanks for everyone's kind words, got my blood results back today & my hcg level is 19451 so rather than having another blood test I've to go in for a scan on Tuesday as they said the level is high enough for a scan to be useful . Am very relieved not to need another blood test (for now anyway!) I'm also feeling a lot calmer as I haven't had any spotting today so fingers crossed the scan will show all is well :-)

That is good news, I was thinking of you.
Don't be surprised if they need to do an internal scan as it's so early. It doesn't hurt at all and for me it gave a clearer image. Take it easy now and put your feet up.