Are these things to be concerned about?

[Amaxapax]

I'm just over seven weeks into my first period. For the past few weeks I've had quite a lot of spotting, primarily brown but occasionally pink. It is never enough to stain my knickers; I only notice it when I wipe. I've also had some cramps, but they have been quite mild. I would say they are certainly not as bad as the cramps I have when on my period.

My other symptoms have been quite mild. I have had waves of nausea but have not been sick. Apart from that, I've mostly been constipated and had terrible gas. Glamorous! I haven't even felt all that tired or needed to wee an abnormal amount.

I called my doctor about a week ago because of the spotting. He said it probably wasn't anything to worry about, but I should take a pregnancy test that afternoon and then one a week later. I took CB Digital tests and both said 3+ weeks pregnant.

However, I'm feeling really concerned that perhaps things haven't progressed as they should. I've read that brown or pink discharge can be an indication if a MMC, and that because hormones are still produced a test could still say positive.

I'm seeing my midwife for my booking appointment a week Tuesday, but should I be pushing to be seen at an early pregnancy unit sooner? Thanks for any advice.

Unfortunately spotting can be the sign of a miscarriage but it's also true that spotting doesn't have to mean the worst as my sis-in-law had it in all 4 of her successful pregnancies. I would push for an early scan for reassurance. Fingers crossed everything is progressing exactly as it should be.

Thank you. I feel like I swing wildly from optimism to pessimism. I just so very much want this baby.

I had spotting with DC3. Got early scan at 6 weeks to confirm a tiny blob was a heart beating (you just have to believe them) & again at around 10 weeks when it happened again. Call your early pregnancy unit, they should invite you in for scan to see - usually vaginal if it's early. At least then you'll know. After the spotting at ten weeks I had no issues and DC3 was born happy and healthy. Good luck! x

I had spotting with DC3. Got early scan at 6 weeks to confirm a tiny blob was a heart beating (you just have to believe them) & again at around 10 weeks when it happened again. Call your early pregnancy unit, they should invite you in for scan to see - usually vaginal if it's early. At least then you'll know. After the spotting at ten weeks I had no issues and DC3 was born happy and healthy. Good luck! x

I had spotting with my DC at 7 weeks. All fine though, so try not to panic.

I saw a doctor today and she said that, given the amount of spotting, she thinks I should have a scan. She's arranging it and will call me back with an appointment. I think I could deal with the spotting if I had other pregnancy symptoms as reassurance. I'm just so afraid that things aren't right, and my husband is working abroad at the moment, so I feel very lonely with all this.

Good that you are having an early scan but sorry you are having to deal with this alone right now. Sending you hugs. I know how scary it feels as I had the same at 8 weeks (faint spotting and mild cramps) and had an early scan to check everything was ok (as others have said you can call the early pregnancy unit if you have any worries - they were brilliant with me and arranged for a scan the next day). Lots of friends were reassuring me but I was really anxious and worried. I burst into tears when we could see a jellybaby with a heartbeat in the scan. I had oh with me but don't think he realised how much it was worrying me. I was told at the hospital that spotting can happen when you are due a period as in the early days the hormone levels are not quite high enough to suppress the period.

I hope your appointment comes through soon. In the meantime try not to worry too much - easier said than done I know. xx

Thank you, Snow. My appointment is on Friday morning. It has kind of taken some of the worry away, because at least I'll get some definite answers instead of feeling so overwhelmed by the unknown.

We haven't actually told anyone about the pregnancy yet, but I think I'll tell a couple of my friends at work tomorrow. I know they're already suspicious, and I think it will help to relieve some stress.

Good to hear that. Wishing you all the best.

I told my two bosses and a couple of close colleagues at 7 weeks and am so glad I did. One of my bosses was surprised that I was telling them so soon and almost criticised me for it (he has grown up kids now but i think his wife has had a couple of mcs in the past so he was super sensitive about it). I just said that I was doing it for me - I hate lying and hiding stuff from people and find it much less stressful to be open. I see these people as my support network - if something had gone awry they would have needed to know anyway. I felt that I needed all the support I could get with the early nausea and exhaustion. Do whatever you need to do to help you through.

Just to update, I had a scan this morning which showed that there was no baby, just tissue in my uterus. After having blood drawn, I was told that I have a molar pregnancy. I'm having surgery on Monday to have it removed.

I know that molar pregnancies are quite rare, but I would really encourage anyone worried about their symptoms to contact their doctor. Lots of things I read said that the kind of spotting I had was likely nothing to be concerned about. However, had I not seen a doctor and got an early scan, I could have been a further four weeks into what I thought was a pregnancy before I found out the truth.

Most people will be absolutely fine, but I think it's always best to seek reassurance.

I'm really sorry to hear that it wasn't a pregnancy, but it's good that they found it early on. I hope you have some support nearby - you said your husband is working away? I hope you have someone to look after you, especially on Monday. Thinking of you

Thank you for your kind words. I don't mean to be nit-picky, but it is a pregnancy. I had several positive pregnancy tests, no periods and some other symptoms. I had anticipated the birth of a child in May and had all the dreams and excitement that go along with that anticipation. I am very much grieving now for the child I expected to have.

In any case, my husband is on a plane home and will be back tomorrow morning. I am so grateful that he is coming home.

Oh OP I'm so sorry for your loss, I found a lot of support on the miscarriage board when I suffered my loss. I know it feels so hopeless now, it won't always feel that way but you have to let yourself grieve in whatever way comes naturally. Look after yourself.

So sorry for your loss. Glad your DH is on his way home. xx

It is understandable to be grieving what you thought would have been. But it may help if you accept there was never a developing baby despite the positive pregnancy test.