Is this the start of a miscarriage?

[RD15]

Evening all,

I’m currently 5weeks and 5 days pregnant. I spotted brown from 9DPO until the day after my AF would have been due and then it stopped. I got my BFP at 12DPO. The spotting stopped completely for a week and now it’s back. I’m on to day 4 of spotting- it’s mainly pale brown but now pinkish brown (sorry for the TMI).
I know there’s nothing that can be done either way, I guess I just wanted to talk or hear some experiences.
Thanks in advance xx

Get in contact with your local EPAU. Probably too early to see anything on a scan but they can try, and they can check your bloods

Thanks for the advice. We can’t self refer to our local EPAC, but I do have my first midwife appointment tomorrow. I’m sort of expecting that I’ll have to cancel that though 😢 xx

Don't cancel it, even if your bleeding becomes heavier. You can still bleed during pregnancy. Tell her your symptoms and she will probably refer you.

I bled for 12 weeks with my first pregnancy, starting at 5 weeks pregnant.
At one stage the bleeding was so severe, I had to be taken to hospital in an ambulance. Long story short, I gave birth to a healthy baby girl. Drs said the bleeding might have been her lost twin but they weren't sure.
Good luck for the future.

Thanks ladies. Everyone is always so supportive on here. I really appreciate it xxx

I had bleeding in my first pregnancy that sounds much as you describe — starting before period even due, always brown or pink, sometimes fairly heavy, sometimes just a trace, and on and off until 9 weeks. No cause seen on a scan. In the second pregnancy I had gushing bright red bleeding and pain at 6 weeks, but only for a couple of days (no spotting afterwards), and a subchorionic hematoma was found at the EPU. Of course this is only anecdotal but you will find hundreds of stories here and on other sites from women who bled and where everything was fine. Miscarriage is obviously common and so is a worrying possibility, but a fairly high percentage of uneventful pregnancies also have first trimester spotting.

Could you spring for an early scan, or get referred by your GP to the EPU? The midwife isn’t going to be able to tell you much more than we can unless she has an ultrasound machine.

If you're 5 weeks pregnant, how come you already have a midwife app? I'm pretty sure nothing can be seen on an early scan at this stage...maybe in a week or so?

Good luck. I hope all is ok and hope the spotting is just one of those things

@hopsalong, thanks for the positive story. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that mine works out as positive. Thanks for sharing xx

@brutasmcdogface, my doctor booked me in with the midwife because of the spotting I think. I don’t think it’s unusual at my practice to see the midwife at 6 weeks. Reception tried to book me in at 5+3 but I didn’t want to go during work time. Thanks for the best wishes. I appreciate it xx

Ps- the midwife or GP can refer me to the EPAU at 6 weeks (which is Friday). You can’t self refer at my EPAU unless you have a history of recurrent miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy xxx

Don't cancel! Go along and she'll tell you how many of her other ladies have had bleeding and it's fine - the embryo does burrow into the uterus wall which can cause some bleeding and some cramping etc - I had thisnwith my first baby and a huge bleed at 12 weeks and literally nothing with my second child
For what it's worth I had a lot of miscarriages too - some with bleeding and some without

What I'm trying to say is it could be nothing

Thanks @flumpybear- I guess I’ll see what tonight brings. Sorry to hear about your miscarriages. I think it’s the fact that it’s completely out of your hands that is difficult.

I did have bleeding in my first pregnancy- in fact I had my cervix cauterised at one point to stop a bleed, so I know it can happen. However, I’ve got an awful feeling about this one xx

How did your appointment go OP?

Well, the midwife said it can be quite common. She phoned the EPAU and they said they wanted to review it in 48hrs. So if it’s still there on Saturday I have to ring the midwife. It’s looking like it will be as still spotting today (in fact it’s probably a little heavier). However, it’s still brown xx

Brown can be ok.

If it turns pink or red phone your midwife straight away, even if it's not up to 48hrs yet

Thanks @GreenMeerkat. I’ll make sure I do. I know there are much worse problems to have, but I’m finding it very draining and worrying. I’ll update over the weekend. Thanks for asking after me xx

I bled for the first 11 weeks, including a huge gush that was a suspected miscarriage. I'm 32 weeks on Sunday. Fingers crossed for you too.

Just to update this thread. Thecspitting still continues, but I had a scan at the EPAU this morning and saw a little heartbeat, so up to now, everything as is it should be. No reason seen on the scan for the bleeding. Thanks for everyone’s comments xxx

@RD15 I have the same and it's been worrying me no end. On day 8 of pale brown spotting only when I wipe. Had a scan at 5+4 which looked ok for that stage but obviously not much to see at that stage, and have another for 8+5 (or so). Best of luck with everything and fx for both of us. At least this proves it's common

Hi @magpie24, it’s awful isn’t it! This is day 9 for me. They didn’t seem overly concerned at the EPAC but it does stop you being able to relax and get excited doesn’t it? I don’t really want to talk about the ‘future’ at all. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you too xx

Yes exactly!! I was so excited at first and I feel like this has taken the shine off.

The fact you have seen a heartbeat is so so encouraging though. Such great news.

What are you doing to keep your mind off things? Im having a (not too hot) bath this evening and then plan on an early night.

Well, I’m also having an early night. I think all this worrying has worn me out. I keep telling myself that, ultimately, it’s out of my hands so worrying won’t make any difference. I’m just going to take it one day at a time.
The nurse did say today that if I were to miscarry at this stage, I would be able to differentiate the bleeding. It would be bright red, likely heavy and there would be pain. So, I suppose unless that happens, I’ll try to stay positive xx

Ps- How many old threads have you read about ‘Brown spotting’? I think I’ve read threads back as far as the 90s 😂 xx

That's really helpful to hear about the nurse. I've read so many too! I find new ones every day! I think I need to stop...

I had a proper full on heavy period type bleed when 6 weeks pregnant. Very much assumed I was no longer pregnant, and I very much was.

How are you today @magpie24? Hope everything is ok. No change here - just the same xx