24 weeks pregnant, small amounts of brown stringy discharge - normal?

[hjbows88]

As it says in the title really. Had this twice this week when wiping only, small amount of brown stringy discharge/substance. Went to midwife Wednesday to ask for advice and showed photo - they didn’t seem concerned, checked heartbeat etc. Said probably nothing and only to go in to the unit if before regular or got worse.

Anyway, had it again last night, just once and nothing since. No pain to speak of although I do have some lower back ache but I don’t think that’s related.

So, anyone else had this?!

Personally I would go in and try to get a scan. It’s probably nothing but will put your mind at rest. Good luck.

Not sure what that will show though? Baby is moving, heartbeat has been heard. A scan has not been offered and I’m not sure I can demand one when they are not remotely concerned....

If I were you I'd call the hospital, tell them you want to come in for monitoring because of this discharge and you're stressed about it.
I was in for monitoring for reduced movements a few days ago and I was given a routine scan 2 days later even though the heart monitor was normal.

I don’t think I can be monitored at 24 weeks - you have to be 28 weeks here for baby monitoring.

I’m really just looking for similar experiences - I’ve done as advised and saw midwife, got checked and they are not worried. The amounts are small and irregular - once Wednesday and once yesterday so we are not talking about a lot or an increase or and persistent issue here and for those reasons I don’t really want to start demanding the hospital does XYZ....

At 24 weeks, this type of bleeding can occur after sex. The lower part of your uterus will begin to thin around 24 weeks. The cervix is very sensitive and prone to irritation in pregnancy because of increased blood supply to its surrounding tissues. So go gently. It could also be a UTI, so common in pregnancy, which can cause bleeding or brown discharge, due to irritation of that really sensitive region.

In any case, if there is ANY sort of bleed, have it looked into. It's likely nothing to worry about, but my guess is UTI (I had loads in pregnancy with DC2 but no symptoms. I would not have known I had a UTI. I had a big bleed at 24 weeks, which was dark brown).

Thanks for your response. I’ve not had sex for a fortnight so it’s def not that! I agree probably UTI or maybe mild thrush. I’ll ask them if I can have a swab to check, have routine appointment on Monday anyway!

I hope I wasn't too forward, OP. But I know that, in my own case with DC2, I was advised to abstain because I had so much bleeding throughout the pregnancy (all brown, and as I said, I had a big bleed at 24 weeks). I was just incredibly sensitive and battling UTIs. It all got much better by my third trimester though. A swab sounds really sensible plus a urine sample. It doesn't sound threatening at all, but do get checked out. Good luck!

Not at all @TheVanguardSix, appreciate you sharing your experience! Thanks again

I had a brown bleed at 17 weeks, was very distressed because that’s how my miscarriages started. But all was well- baby’s heartbeat was fine. It came from my placenta which was low lying at the time and my cervix was closed. I’m surprised they didn’t do a speculum exam- definitely request this to check at your appointment to see if there is any cervical erosion or infection causing the bleed. Mine tailed off after 6 days and I haven’t had any further bleeding issues.