Cramping and bleeding started this morning- I'm frightened :-(

[WigglyWigglyWoo]

I am 5 weeks pregnant and this morning had cramping as though my AF was coming. I've now got reasonably heavy bleeding- like a heavy period. I'm so scared. This has got to be bad news hasn't it?

Do I just sit it out or do I need to see the GP?

I'm sat here in tears which seems so silly when I only found out I was pregnant 2 days ago.

I'm so sorry wiggly, I know how frightening bleeding can be. It doesn't necessarily mean bad news, lots of women on here have stories about bleeding and go on to have successful pregnancies, but heavy bleeding wasn't a good sign for me. You need to see your gp who will refer you for an early scan as they will want to check what is going on. If you are miscarrying they will want to make sure it is complete to avoid infection. I'm so sorry again.

Sorry Wiggly like Fox this was bad news for me too. Call your GP, they will refer you to your hospital's early pregnancy unit to check you over. Fingers crossed for you, if it is bad news you're not alone, there's good support on mumsnet www.mumsnet.com/Talk/miscarriage look after yourself

Hi Wiggly really sorry to read your post.

Like Alarox says the GP can refer you to the Early Pregnancy Unit, but you can also self-refer to some, find your local EPU here

It may be a waiting game at this stage as a scan wouldn't show a heartbeat at the stage anyway, so stay strong.

I hope it works out xx

Thanks for all your replies. I've phoned the GP and I'm waiting for a doctor to call me back. I suspect it's bad news but still trying to keep a bit of hope. Will let you know how it goes.

Oh wiggly. Good luck. This happened to me with both my pregnancies at five weeks and with the second one was off and on for a while. All was well with both.

The EPU couldn't scan me properly until I was six weeks and it was a horrible wait. I read somewhere that lying on your left hand side can be helpful. I'm not sure why or if it is actually true, but I did this. It made me feel I was doing something constructive.

Let us know how you get on.

Thanks Mermaid. It's really encouraging to hear someone who's had a similar experience with a positive outcome.

The GP phoned and he is going to speak to the Early Pregnancy Unit and see whether they want to see me.

Update- The EPU said no need to see me. They advised me to do a pregnancy test in a week. If it's negative that's game over. If it's positive they will book me in for a early scan.

Guess it's just a waiting game.

That's exactly what happened to me. I remember being being utterly incredulous and saying to the midwife "a whole week? How can I wait that long!". She was very kind and reassuring. It was the longest week of my life!

How are you feeling now?

My bleeding mainly stopped after about 24 hours, although I had cramps off and on for a few days. I took the full week off work and lay (on my left side) all day.

I really feel for you. Sending you positive vibes!

Hi Wiggly I'm a little bit behind you in that I'm 3 weeks pregnant at most but I've had heavy bleeding in the last 24 hours, although no cramps.

I already had a doctor's appointment booked in because of the pregnancy discovery so I went this morning and they have said it's too early for anything other than to take a blood test today, another one on Friday and compare the hormone levels at that point.

I will probably take a test at home too but I'm conscious that there may still be hormones knocking around that could give a false reading.

I feel for you - it's a horrible time and I spent all last night crying. I am trying to take heart from the fact that we at least got to the point of conception and had I not taken such an early test I would have assumed it was some kind of early period.

Hope it all works out for us both.

The bleeding is still the same- like a heavy period with some clots. I'm not feeling hopeful.

Cluecu- I'm in the same situation in that, had I not taken a test, I would have presumed it was my period. We were initially going to wait until this Thursday to do the test as we are going on holiday on Friday and wanted to know before then but leave it as long as possible for the hormone levels to be high enough for a positive result. However on Saturday i felt sick and got impatient so we took the test and got a BFP! I almost wish I'd have waited and would have just presumed this was a period!

Does anyone know whether it's OK to use tampons? I sent my DH out for sanitary towels but I really hate them! Obviously if I have to use them I'll stick it out but just wondering if tampons are safe to use.

I've got an appointment with the midwife tomorrow which the GP said to still go to (although it does seem pretty pointless). I has booked it yesterday before the bleeding started - typical!

Cluecu I am keeping all my fingers crossed for you. It's nice to have someone in the same situation for a little bit of distant support.

No, you can't use tampons, you have to use towels.

Hope it works out for you OP.

Clue has directed me to your thread :)

I'm 9 weeks and experiencing brown/red bleeding over the last few day, passing clots and light pain today.
I've had no symptoms for a few weeks and am worrying profusely!

I've been googling none stop the last few days and there's perfectly normal explanations for it all so not definitely bad news, there are some very reassuring stories out there.

Just have to hold out and plan the horrendous waiting game!
Fingers crossed for you xxx

Are you in a lot of pain Wiggly?

As I understand it you have to just use towels as you can't be sure what is still there and what is coming out iykwim?

It is definitely one of the cons of taking an earlier test but I am trying to focus on the silver linings being that conception was possible somewhere along the line and that the early knowledge, albeit painful, at least gives you the chance to be uber healthy. Although we were trying for a baby, we were still very relaxed about it so if I hadn't known I was pregnant I'd have still been drinking and smoking a bit as well as all the caffeine, vigorous workouts in gym etc.

It's difficult I know. Horrible in fact. My DH has been amazing even though I'm sure he is really sad too but what I find difficult to express is the fear and sadness when it's your own body that is or isn't carrying a pregnancy. It just feels very raw and it's certainly all I can think about at the moment.

Fingers crossed for you too. It's definitely helpful to talk about it with people going through the same emotions. Whatever anyone else says, as far as I'm concerned this is/was my baby - I don't care how early the pregancy is/was

Is this your first pregnancy Cluecu? It's my first so I really don't know what to expect.

We were trying too but this was the first month. Stopped the pill at the end of May so I was rather surprised it happened so quickly. I've only known I am pregnant for 3 days and I find it incredible how attached you become to the thought of being pregnant in such a short period of time.

I'm not in a lot of pain, no. Are you? Really just feels like a heavy period with period cramps. A bit of lower back ache too and generally feeling sorry for myself. I think most of that though is just being upset and disappointed rather than actually feeling unwell.

I rather hope the midwife will take a blood sample tomorrow like you so that I can get some idea of what's going on.

Wetthemogwai- I am really feeling for you. Especially as you are several weeks further along. Have you been to the GP or midwife?

Not since I started bleeding, no. My Dp works away but is back on Thursday so will take me to A+E then. Seems like a very long way away from now!

He's putting a brave face on and telling me it'll all be fine but I think I know deep down that it's not. Only one way to find out isn't there! :(

Yes it is my first pregnancy and like you, I was so surprised that it seemed to happen so fast. In fact, a little bit of me wondered if we should have waited a little longer. Obviously this has made me realise just what a mountain pregnancy can be after all.

It was strange for me as the first symptom I had was spotting which I presume was implantation bleeding. The way the dates fell meant I haven't yet missed a period and in theory, I have ovulated mega early in my cycle.

Anyway, if things don't work out this time, I will still carry on being healthy etc but I will wait a little longer for the test next time.

I'm not in any pain at all which is really strange and there hasn't really been much in the way of tissue, just bright red blood. Although maybe that's because it's so early.

I'm sure they will take a blood sample; in fact I would ask them to do so and then a follow up one like I'm having.

Wetthemogwai - are you very far away from a walk-in centre at the moment?

Yes, we're in the sticks with no money (ironically til Thursday!) with the nearest walk in 2 busses away, similar to he hospital

Oh dear Wetthemogwai you are in a tricky situation. Is there nobody that could take you- Thursday seems an awfully long time to wait. Although I do appreciate there is little anyone can do to help.

Cluecu I know exactly what you mean. I knew pregnancy could have ups and downs but you don't really realise until it happens just what a big change to your life it is going to be. I was thinking this morning "crikey I'm in tears, pain and having the day off work and we are only 3 days in!". I think next time (presuming this pregnancy is over) I will wait a little longer before taking a test.

Thinking of both of you x

Oh god - well we are here to chat to in the meantime. As you're further along you should at least have a better chance of some answers sooner, despite having to wait a few days.

Fingers crossed for all of us. This part of pregnancy is so stressful and yet difficult to convey to the wider world I feel.

Yes its hard for people to understand when they don't even know you are pregnant. Work think I've got a sickness bug. I'm going in tomorrow. We did choose to tell our parents at the weekend so at least we have them for advice/support.

Thanks guys, I'm sure it's just one of those things in pregnancy and we're all just being over cautious!

I think this stage is the scariest and there's the least support, surely there should be more during the first 12 weeks? Once you start to feel movements your mind is eased a bit isn't it :)

Some symptoms would be nice to out my mind at ease a little but again, I think I'm just being over cautious and winding self up. I'm probably missing something really obvious!

It's not over til the fat lady sings... I've bled none shop since 5 weeks. Ranging from brown spotting to bright red gushes with fist sized clots! I have a subchorionic hematoma but baby is fine at 16 weeks. I've bled with my other 2 pregnancies up til about 20 weeks and they're two happy and healthy 11 and 2 year olds. So, hang in there ladies. These things happen and all can be fine and dandy. Good luck!xx

I dare that fat lady to sing!

Thanks love, that's reassuring :)

I'm celebrating a rare night of no bleeding tonight after this morning clots so maybe that was just my bodies way of getting the last out. We'll see! Not getting my hopes up too much, I did that the other day and was gutted when it started again!

How are you 2 getting on today? X

Hi loveallmyboys, thanks for your post. I found it very reassuring. I'm 6+5 and bleeding all sorts of colours since last Tuesday. Going for a private scan next Tuesday. I had a mc 2 months ago so very nervous this time. Got good comfort from your post...so thank you!

Morning all. Hope everyone is trying to positive, difficult I know

Mogwai nearly Thursday now...

I'm still bleeding but it's faded a lot. DH was quite down last night but I feel a bit happier and trying to see the silver linings.

Hoping all ok x