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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

6+4 and spotting when wiping :(

82 replies

MrsTwentyNine · 04/07/2021 09:41

Hi all
This is my first and I have spent an entire day yesterday simply reading multiple forums to reassure me
I have a midwife appointment next friday and a private scan the week after
Please can you tell me if you've experienced anything similar?
Lots of TMI to follow, I apologise!
When I wipe, I noticed brown spotting on tissue and only ever on tissue. Sometimes it looks like mucus with brown blood. Its always a tiny blob and nothing more. Today it has been a mixture or brown and sometimes bright red. I know bright red isn't a good sign - is this how a miscarriage starts? Do I ring the EPU or is there no point as theres no pain or any other symptoms and I'm only spotting rather than heavy bleed?
Please help :(

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JackJack84 · 04/07/2021 09:58

I'll be honest with you & say it can go either way. People often say on here brown discharge is old blood & nothing to worry about, but when I had a mc at 7 weeks last year all I'd had was brown spotting.

However, in my current pregnancy I had brown, pink & red bleeding throughout my first trimester & was convinced I was losing it each time. I've just had my 20 week scan & everything was perfect.

I contacted EPU whenever I had bleeding & I always got a scan that day but it's not the same for every trust. I also had a previous ruptured ectopic so they tended to err on the side of caution with my early scan & just go ahead with it.You might as well ring & see what they say.

Really hoping it's a good outcome for you 🌺

MrsTwentyNine · 04/07/2021 10:09

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply @JackJack84
I've just done the online referral and waiting for a nurse to phone me back
I know, I don't want the false reassurance that things will be okay. I'm preparing myself for the worst but it feels so awful. We tried for so long for this and it's heartbreaking but I have to stay strong
You're totally right, it's a 50/50 chance isn't it. I'll update this thread anyway with what happens.

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MrsTwentyNine · 04/07/2021 10:10

Please could I also ask you if the brown bleeding became heavier at all afterwards or did you confirm it with a scan? @JackJack84 sorry to have to ask you about something so painful x

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JackJack84 · 04/07/2021 10:18

I know the feeling well. I was TTC for 10 years & lost my first 2 pregnancies so to me bleeding was always a bad thing until this current pregnancy.

With my mc I had brown spotting when wiping from 5 weeks. Had a transvaginal scan at EPU at 5 weeks where they saw a yolk sac but no foetal pole or heartbeat. I had another scan booked for 2 weeks later. The spotting continued every day only when wiping, I never had to use a pad. The day before my scan I miscarried at home which was very traumatic but on reflection I think less painful than being told at the scan.

JackJack84 · 04/07/2021 10:22

I should also say that in this pregnancy I had my first brown spotting at 7 weeks, tv scan showed a heartbeat & although I knew things could still go wrong seeing that hb gave me so much hope to hang onto.

I was still a nervous wreck throughout my first trimester. I had scans at 8 weeks (private) & 9 weeks (NHS) due to bleeding. I also found out that I have a cervical ectropion which likely caused my bleeding.

Let me know how it goes for you, I'll keep everything crossed 🤞🏼 x

MrsTwentyNine · 04/07/2021 10:23

Thank you for that @JackJack84 that's very useful
I am more prepared in my mind for this to be a miscarriage now
The blood on the tissue is definitely red now which can't be a good thing
I'll see what 111 days and just expect the worst
Thank you for being real about this!

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JackJack84 · 04/07/2021 10:30

When I had mc last year I had a lot of people on here telling me brown spotting was fine & everything would be ok so I promised myself I would always be honest with people about my experience. But it's different for everyone, good to be prepared but don't count yourself out just yet. Have you had any cramping? x

cookiecreampie · 04/07/2021 10:32

It can go either way but for me, it meant nothing bad. In my second and fourth pregnancies, I experienced brown discharge type spotting and that continued on and off throughout the pregnancy. All was ok. They say if it's brown and you're not in pain, then don't worry.

MrsTwentyNine · 04/07/2021 10:35

@JackJack84 no cramping or any other signs. And that's very true.

@cookiecreampie thank you. I'm praying mine is a similar outcome but I don't want to get hopeful as some of the blood when wiping is now bright red :(

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Daffodil21 · 04/07/2021 10:47

I second what @JackJack84 says about brown blood. I absolutely cannot stand the 'it's old blood' thing as that's not necessarily true. I'll share my experiences with you (it's not all doom and gloom even though it starts that way, and my situation isn't very common so don't let the repeated mc I'm about to mention scare you too much).

First pregnancy I had pink when I wiped once, then again a few days later. Then it became continuous and turned to brown, and then red. I had a scan where there wasn't a heartbeat and they said to come back in two weeks to see if anything has developed. The bleeding got worse over the next few days and I mc 4/5 days after the scan.

Second pregnancy similar to the first, except I had a scan while I was bleeding and they found a heartbeat. The bleeding got worse, and I mc 4/5 days later.

Third pregnancy, exactly like the second.

Forth pregnancy, had a bright red bleed at 6.5, enough that I needed a night time pad for the evening, and again the following morning (but nothing through the night). Thought it was over, didn't bother with a scan because I knew it may not tell me anything like the previous ones, plus it was just before Christmas so I just went with it (no idea how!). The bleeding stopped and I had a scan on NYE which showed a heartbeat. Currently still pregnant now at 34 weeks.

Blood doesn't always mean the end. If it is getting worse then that isn't a great sign, but if it does ease up then you still have a chance. But just be aware that if you have a 'good' scan while you're still bleeding, it can still go either way, but you will know fairly soon after if the bleeding continues to get worse.

I've found that in every pregnancy that don't go well, HCP have given me completely false hope. The first time they said I could have got my dates wrong and it could be too early. The second time they said it could go either way but I would know by the end of the weekend if it was a mc (this was a Thursday). It then took a full week for anything to pass (scan between doc app and mc). When there was a heartbeat on the scan they told me 'congratulations', even though I was still bleeding. The third time I had hcg blood tests with my GP to check if they were doubling over 48 hours. They weren't, he said how sorry he was and sent me for a scan to check it wasn't ectopic. Had a scan, saw a heartbeat and again they told me congratulations, only for me to pass the pregnancy a few days later (I was still bleeding). I should have listened to my GP, not the sonographer who said HCG levels don't matter and the proof is in the scan.

Sorry this is so long, happy to answer any questions you may have. I guess what I'm unfortunately trying to say is you won't know for sure for potentially a week, maybe even longer. I really hope the bleeding stops for you and it's just 'one of those things'. I never found a reason for the bleed I had early on in this pregnancy, and so far I haven't had anymore. It's such a shitty waiting game to go through x

2020mission · 04/07/2021 10:53

I had a cramping and light red bleed at 6 weeks followed by 4 days of pink/red spotting this pregnancy and I'm now at 14 weeks and all is well. I've also had 2 chemicals in the past and had similar spotting at 5 weeks and it didn't end well. It is really hard to tell what's going on when you bleed in the first trimester. As long as you're not having severe cramping and heavy bleeding I'd be thinking positive, but still speak to the EPU. Fingers crossed for you!

MsK89 · 04/07/2021 10:54

Hey so sorry you are going through this. I have had 3 miscarriages now. With each one early on I had a week of bleeding/brown spotting which was implantation bleeding. With my first mc I had brown and red spotting but saw a heartbeat, but I did miscarry a few weeks after. It really can go either way, but I hope you have a positive outcome.
I’m currently 5w + 5 and spotting again so I do know how you feel xx

MrsTwentyNine · 04/07/2021 11:00

Thank you so much everyone for your kind words! You have all been super helpful.

@Daffodil21 thank you especially for sharing that. I can't imagine the pain you went through with all of that! Especially seeing a heartbeat and then losing that hope...:(

Unfortunately like you've all said, it's a shitty shitty waiting game isn't it. It doesn't help that the nhs website tells you spotting is common around 6-7 weeks.

I have nothing on my pad and hardly anything when I casually wipe. But if I roll up tissue a bit on the inside (sorry!) - that's when it comes back with a brown / red smudge. Whatever the heck that means!

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cookiecreampie · 04/07/2021 11:23

Ring your EPAU and request a scan, that's what I did. Fingers crossed for you.

MrsTwentyNine · 04/07/2021 12:15

Got a call back from 111
"Unfortunately let nature take its course " was the response I got. Seriously ?
I asked about epu and she said "I think they don't scan before 16 weeks now because of Covid " ...
Are you serious ?! She was clueless!
Anyway I think my bleeding went up slightly and I'm probably miscarrying
Might book a private scan just to confirm
Had a good old cry and I'm ready to move on Smile

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Daffodil21 · 04/07/2021 12:21

@MrsTwentyNine unfortunately none of this surprises me. They all seem to be completely clueless. This could still go either way, you just don't know yet and neither do they. The increase in bleeding isn't a great sign though, I'm sorry you are going through this.

No scans before 16 weeks?! What complete and utter BS! What about dating scans?! They happen at 12 weeks, or have they done away with those?! I find that hard to believe. I know it varies from trust to trust, but I had 3 NHS scans before 16 weeks!

Im fuming on your behalf at their response, although not surprised. I hope your bleeding stops soon Thanks

Daffodil21 · 04/07/2021 12:23

I've just read it was 111 who said this and not the EPU. You could still call the EPU direct, or your GP tomorrow. Don't let the clueless 111 person put you off. I called 111 for one of mine and they arranged an identical appointment with my GP within 2 hours. You shouldn't have to pay for a private scan for this, you have a valid reason to be checked

MrsTwentyNine · 04/07/2021 12:23

Thank you @Daffodil21 !
I think this particular one just didn't have a clue
They still do 12 weeks so she's clearly just out of touch
I know. I've mentally written this off for my anxiety. I can't live in limbo so at-least now I can just move on unless this miraculously becomes ok
I'm looking for a private scan place - not that it will tell me much but atleast maybe to confirm it

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2020mission · 04/07/2021 12:26

@MrsTwentyNine how many weeks along are you right now? Some EPUs don't see ladies earlier than 6 weeks since miscarriage is so common before this stage. It sucks. I never seen anyone with my 2 chemicals at 5 weeks as it was too early. For the same reason I didn't call to book in with my maternity unit until i was 7 weeks pregnant this time as they don't seem interested until after 6 weeks!

MrsTwentyNine · 04/07/2021 12:26

Actually you're right @Daffodil21
I will call my gp tomorrow and ask for referral to EPU. Finding it difficult to find a private scan ASAP anyway

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MrsTwentyNine · 04/07/2021 12:27

@2020mission I'm 6+5 :(

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Daffodil21 · 04/07/2021 12:29

@MrsTwentyNine I hope they listen to you. It seems so hit and miss. I've been lucky in that they've always seen me, they've just given me incorrect advice

Daffodil21 · 04/07/2021 12:30

My previous post was supposed to say 'urgent appointment' not 'identical appointment' 🙈

2020mission · 04/07/2021 12:31

Yes you can definitely call the EPU at 6+5 and ask to be seen they shouldn't shrug it off when you're passed 6 weeks. They do tend to be less interested in anyone who doesn't have cramping/pain alongside bleeding so just be prepared incase they tell you to keep an eye on it for now but don't bring you in. Hopefully you're just having similar to me and it's nothing as my bleed/spotting this pregnancy was around the same time. Have you got any pain right now? I think mines was a bleed from my cervix due to the increased pregnancy hormones as I often spotted during the end of luteal phase most cycles when TTC.

MrsTwentyNine · 04/07/2021 12:34

@Daffodil21 thank you :)

@2020mission I want to hope and pray it's ok. Did you have any red spotting? Mine is now always red when I wipe no longer brown :( still a speck but red ...

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