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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Early pregnancy scan - brown discharge and cramping

35 replies

Worrier22 · 03/05/2022 18:43

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice. I’m just over 5 weeks pregnant and have had a couple of incidents of brown discharge over the last few days. I rang the early pregnancy unit and based on that and some cramping pains on my right hand side they want to see me later this week to check the location of the pregnancy. I assume they are worried about an ectopic pregnancy?

I was just wondering if anyone could offer any advice about the scan and what we may or may not be able to see at 5 weeks 5 days. Also any positive stories of healthy pregnancies following these symptoms would be greatly appreciated! Feeling very anxious right now, I really wanted them just to say it’s all totally normal don’t worry everything is fine.

Thank you.

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frenchie4002 · 03/05/2022 19:09

I also had cramping and some brown discharge at 5-6 weeks - I don’t think it’s too uncommon and hopefully nothing to worry about for you. They’ll most likely do a transvaginal scan. I had one at 6+1 and they could see the heart beat but lots of people have scans where they can’t until closer to 7 weeks so it’s luck of the draw really. Hopefully they will be able to see everything is in the right place though and put your mind at ease. Hope it goes well for you x

Original poster
Worrier22 · 03/05/2022 19:18

@frenchie4002 thank you very much for your really kind reply.

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Original poster
Worrier22 · 03/05/2022 19:20

@frenchie4002 forgot to ask are you still pregnant? If so I hope that everything is going well for you. X

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frenchie4002 · 03/05/2022 20:13

@Worrier22 Yes everything’s going well thank you I’m 17+3 now and all looking good so touch wood. I had a miscarriage last year and know what a worrying time it can be. I have my fingers crossed for you x

Misspacorabanne · 03/05/2022 20:27

I had this with both my pregnancies, similar time between 5 and 7 weeks, with cramps too.
I had an early scan both times around the six week mark, the first time we could see the sack but no heart beat, so I had to come back a week later at over 7 weeks and heartbeat was there! My second pregnancy I had the brown bleeding and cramps again, another early scan over six weeks and everything looked fine with heart beating away.
So thankfully they led on to two healthy pregnancies and we now have two gorgeous DC! So it can be absolutely normal!
Its a worrying time, and I know it's hard but
try not to worry, and hope all goes well at the scan.

Pregnantandvworried · 04/05/2022 10:38

@Worrier22 how are you today ? Have the bleeding /discharge settled ? Fingers crossed all is well on the ultrasound.

I am going through the same. 5 weeks pregnant and have lots of blown blood each time I got to toilet and wipe.

Original poster
Worrier22 · 04/05/2022 15:36

@frenchie4002 thank you. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy!

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Original poster
Worrier22 · 04/05/2022 15:38

@Misspacorabanne thank you so much for your lovely message. It has certainly helped me feel a little bit better hearing about your symptoms and so nice to hear that you have had 2 lovely DC after them. I’m keeping everything crossed until Friday!

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Original poster
Worrier22 · 04/05/2022 15:50

@Pregnantandvworried I recognise your name from the Jan thread but I’ve name changed to post about this. It’s such a worrying time isn’t it. I just wish that I knew everything was going ok. I’m doing alright today though thank you, no more discharge so far which I’m hoping is a good sign. I’m really hoping that the scan is good news. How are you feeling?

I felt a lot better after having spoken to the early pregnancy unit, even if they didn’t just say it would all be ok like I’d hoped! So I’d definitely recommend giving them a call if you have one near you. Just knowing that I’d done something about it helped if that makes sense?

I hope everything goes well for you too.

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Misspacorabanne · 04/05/2022 16:04

Yes it absolutely can be normal!! They said to me brown us usually old blood, they are much more concerned about red!! But, that being said, I can understand your worries, I felt the same! Its a nerve-wracking time! Good luck, will keep fingers crossed for you for Friday!

PeaceLily2000 · 04/05/2022 16:07

I had brown discharge and cramping at the 5-6 week mark and went on to have a healthy pregnancy. As I understand it, the cramping can be the uterus stretching and the ligaments loosening at the start of pregnancy.
Wishing you lots of luck with everything, always best to get checked :)

Fantasea · 04/05/2022 16:07

I had brown discharge for a few days at 6 weeks and again at 10 weeks. Everything was fine. Hoping you get the reassurance you need on Friday Xx

3monkeybars · 04/05/2022 18:04

Found this thread as I'm experiencing the exact same thing at the moment (6+1). How do your cramps feel? Mine are exactly the same as period pains and I'm so so worried. Brown spotting for me too for a couple of days, I've only had the cramps today though

Pregnantandvworried · 04/05/2022 18:57

@Worrier22 Good luck with the scan ,I hope it all goes well. Fingers crossed for you.

Is it ok to post picture of the discharge?TMI but at least we can see if we are taking about same kind of discharge /bleeding.

Original poster
Worrier22 · 04/05/2022 20:28

@PeaceLily2000 and @Fantasea thank you both so much for your lovely replies. It’s really helpful to hear positive stories so thank you.

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Original poster
Worrier22 · 04/05/2022 20:31

@3monkeybars my cramps feel like a pulled muscle / ache I suppose. They come and go but have been going on for a few days. They’re milder than my normal period cramps but in a similar place.

It’s such a horrible feeling but looking at this thread it seems like lots of people have them. I really hope that everything is ok for you.

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Original poster
Worrier22 · 04/05/2022 20:34

@Pregnantandvworried thank you. I hope that everything is ok for you too. I didn’t realise early pregnancy would be so worrying! I don’t have any photos to share, sorry.

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3monkeybars · 04/05/2022 21:34

Mine feels exactly the same @Worrier22, like period pains but not as bad (I get bad period pains!!) - but I'm sure the worry and focus on the way it feels is making me feel is making it worse. My spotting is still super light so I am crossing everything it's just a bit of my insides shifting and changing for baby. About to get in the bath and try and forget about it - wish I could have a nice relaxing glass of wine!!!

ThomasinaGallico · 04/05/2022 21:42

Just to say, the cramping pains may be internal ligaments stretching. I had these quite early on (DCs are now 18 and 20) and for some women it may even be the first sign of pregnancy.

Hope everything goes smoothly from now on

3monkeybars · 05/05/2022 08:04

How is everyone doing this morning? My cramps seem to have eased (wooh) and not as much spotting. Fingers crossed for you all

Pregnantandvworried · 05/05/2022 10:10

Morning. Good to hear this @3monkeybars My backache is gone but woke up to brown discharge again .Is odd that it only happens after waking up.
Sorry for the picture but is this kind of discharge you ladies experienced?

Early pregnancy scan - brown discharge and cramping
Fantasea · 05/05/2022 10:18

@Pregnantandvworried that was exactly as mine looked but there was a lot more of it for each wipe. Mine went on for a few days each time but all day. I suspect it's where it has collected when you're asleep and then comes down when you get up.

3monkeybars · 05/05/2022 11:26

@Pregnantandvworried mine looked exactly the same x

Rbts1 · 05/05/2022 12:32

Hello, just wanted to give some reassurance that this can have a positive outcome. I had the exact same at 6w with quite severe cramping. All fine on scan. Had more brown loss about 12 weeks and again at 15. Currently 20w and everything going well! No cause was found :)

Original poster
Worrier22 · 05/05/2022 21:42

@ThomasinaGallico and @Rbts1 thank you so much for sharing your stories. It’s helping me feel a little bit less anxious knowing that it was ok for you both, so thank you.

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