Am I overthinking this?

[YfenniChristie]

Hey everyone, I wondered if I could pick your brains. I'm expecting my first. I've found the whole process of TTC etc anxiety-inducing so I've been trying very hard to not let it get away from me. But I don't know what's normal.

I'm roughly 5-6 weeks along. In the last 24hrs I've had 3 occasions where I've gone to the loo and have wiped to find a small amount of pink/brown blood on the tissue. It's not enough to mark my knickers or a pad. I'm having my usual one-off cramps/ache/heaviness. I also took a pregnancy test this morning to reassure myself and it gave a strong positive.

Everything I'm googling is either "this is normal" or it's the start of a miscarriage.

Should I be panicking? Should I keep an eye on things? Help!

Keep an eye on things OP. If the bleeding persists or gets heavier contact your midwife or early pregnancy team.
I had the same in early pregnancy and was checked over countless times but I was assured it was ok as long as it wasn’t fresh blood (red). Definitely worth being checked over for peace of mind.
Congratulations on your pregnancy!

Worth calling the doctor/epu and making a note of it. At 6 or so weeks they may scan you. I had this at the same sort of time as you and it lasted until 8-9 weeks. It started pale pink/brown, then got heavier brown with some red. I called GP when it started and they said to call if it changed, which it did (heavier and darker) a week later. They scanned me and everything was fine. I'm 11 weeks now and everything still seems good (had a private scan at 10 weeks). Unless you're filling a pad in an hour or two, it isn't likely to be a miscarriage but it is so worth getting it checked. Many causes of spotting/blood at this point besides miscarriage: implantation; irritation (and lots more blood pumping through your system); haemotoma etc. Don't panic. Make a note of it and call the gp/epu to get their advice.

I agree with the pp. Keep and eye and if it gets heavier or continues, call your EPU. I had exactly the same thing at 6 weeks and 9/10 weeks, never enough to go on my underwear but really freaked me out as it’s my first pregnancy and couldn’t help but think blood = bad. I did get a scan at the epu in my 7th week and everything was fine which was really reassuring but understand it’s very hard not to worry and if I hadn’t been seen at the hospital I would have paid for a private scan for peace of mind.

Thank you everyone. I'll keep an eye on it and will give the GP a call in the morning to see what they say.

Even though we were trying, this pregnancy has come as a bit of a surprise as we didn't really try in August (family bereavement, work issues, all round stress) so part of me is already convinced that this was too good to be true.

Just thought a post an update here;

Took another pregnancy test this morning which was positive but still spotting on and off. It's not changed in frequency or heaviness, but I have noticed the general crampiness and aching I've had in the last couple of weeks seem to have lessened. :/

Called the GP. Had a call back this afternoon. Basically I'm being referred to the EPU for a scan (for peace of mind). But they close at 4 so not to expect a call until tomorrow morning at the soonest.

So I'm going to keep monitoring and testing and crossing my fingers.