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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Red bleed that wasn’t spotting, am I miscarrying?

32 replies

EllieJade95 · 16/04/2023 15:54

Hey everyone,

I am looking for a bit of support, not sure if reassurance is necessary as I feel like I already know the outcome, but any help is appreciated.
I’m either 8 or 9 weeks pregnant (haven’t had first scan yet and haven’t spoken to a midwife yet either) and today I have had my first bleed. I haven’t had a bleed through this pregnancy whatsoever, not even light spotting. I’m fearing the worst (and have already accepted this is likely the outcome) as it was bright red blood and enough to mostly fill a scrunched piece of toilet paper. I have noticed the sore boobs I have had continuously seem to have mostly subsided also. I haven’t had any blood since (this happened today about 3 hours ago) and have put a pad on to monitor this. I didn’t and haven’t had any pain other than before it happened I had the mildest cramp (I wouldn’t even describe it as pain, it was almost like when you sit in an uncomfortable position for a bit too long) and some slight pain around my belly button (but I also have had this earlier on in pregnancy).

Frustratingly as it’s a Sunday there is not much I can do until tomorrow morning and call my GP to get referred for a scan but I was wondering if anyone’s had this and it has turned out to be fine? (I know it’s unlikely).

OP posts:
Baileyshotchocolate · 16/04/2023 16:13

I was in your position last Sunday and am 9 weeks now, had bright red blood and same amount as you mentioned, with some back pain. Turned out I was just need to calm down the “activities” with the husband! All ok now and not had bleeding since, were you doing anything the day before that could have injured you? Main signs of miscarriage are dark blood and prolonged cramps. Hoping for the best for you xx

Original poster
EllieJade95 · 16/04/2023 16:26

@Baileyshotchocolate Gosh I’m happy for you that was the outcome because I bet you were panicking! No, I haven’t been doing anything like that haha but the only thing I would say is I have been resting a lot throughout the pregnancy but yesterday I did some gardening so was crouching for a while but nothing major. This is where I get confused cause I saw that fresh blood is more likely to be miscarriage! I didn’t have any pain/prolonged cramps all I had was this morning an extremely mild cramp in my stomach but I wouldn’t say it was even a cramp or painful and had I not been pregnant I probably wouldn’t of noticed it. Thank you for your well wishes, it’s upsetting I can’t call the doctor until tomorrow but I guess in a way gives me time to accept it if it is that xx

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Baileyshotchocolate · 16/04/2023 17:10

It definitely shakes you up for sure, as like you I didn’t have any bleeding previously. I would say if your pregnancy symptoms are continuing and the bleeding has stopped that you should be all good, I’ve had friends who had random bleeds in pregnancy and still worked out all fine, there is a lot of blood flow to that area now. Have you had your first midwife appointment yet? As they provide you with a 24hr helpline, you could always contact your local hospital maternity ward to help put your mind at rest. This is my first pregnancy, is it yours too? xx

Original poster
EllieJade95 · 16/04/2023 17:17

@Baileyshotchocolate That’s why I’m worried as my main symptom has always been sore boobs which have subsided quite a lot today but I also had this happen 2 weeks ago when I thought maybe I was having a miscarriage (was stupidly still testing and it was lighter but ended up being silly as they then were really dark again) and I felt like the boobs stopped so I guess I will see in the morning. I haven’t really had any other symptoms throughout apart from acid reflux which I have still been getting to an extent but I’ve managed to control it a bit better cutting certain things out. I’m clinging to the fact I haven’t had any more bleeding and no cramps/pain but equally aware it could just be the start. No, that’s what’s so frustrating! I haven’t heard from my local maternity unit yet so haven’t been able to speak to one. I did think about the hospital maternity ward but I don’t think I’m able to just call up. Xx

OP posts:
dig135 · 16/04/2023 17:20

I had bright red bleeding with both of my pregnancies. First time, felt like a gush. It was fine both times. Fingers crossed yours is good news too.

SRK16 · 16/04/2023 17:25

I had a gush of red blood at about 13 weeks, no clear reason but baby was fine. In a prior pregnancy I also had some bleeding around 8 weeks and he was fine.

Original poster
EllieJade95 · 16/04/2023 17:30

@SRK16 Thats what mine felt like too, it felt like when you suddenly get your period. I am not having the red blood or heavy, but when I wipe there’s a small bit of pink ish - I’m keeping my fingers crossed but not looking good :( I’m just trying to tell myself that lots of women go through this and have a successful healthy pregnancy after. This was an unexpected one, but I got so invested (even though I had anxiety from the beginning) and was praying I would just get lucky.

OP posts:
Original poster
EllieJade95 · 16/04/2023 17:32

@dig135 Thank you for your well wishes, I really hope so however I am fearing the worst as I am not really having the sore boobs like I was before 🥹

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violetskypurple · 16/04/2023 17:34

Symptoms can start to fade around this time as the placenta starts to take over so I wouldn't take symptoms fading as meaning you are having a miscarriage.

It's promising that you've had no more bleeding! Can you book a private scan or ring EPU to find out what's going on?

Original poster
EllieJade95 · 16/04/2023 17:39

@violetskypurple I did see about symptoms subsiding around the 8/9 weeks (I’ve never really had many to begin with) but thought it was too much of a coincidence for them to stop hurting the day I had bleeding. Also on the NHS website it specifically says about if your boobs stop hurting 😭

I had a private scan booked for today but moved it to Thursday when they told me it would be a male sonographer - I’m now taking that as fate because I had a massive fear of finding out at a private scan compared to having a miscarriage happen at home. I have it re-scheduled for Thursday but hoping if I speak to my GP tomorrow they may be able to get me in earlier. Frustratingly my EPU says they don’t take self referrals and they are also only Monday - Friday. I wish I had managed to be able to speak to a midwife before so that I could have gone to them straight away!

OP posts:
Ghost92 · 16/04/2023 17:44

I had the same thing happen twice in my second pregnancy. Once at 6 weeks and again at 9 weeks. It turned out that I had a small bleed in my womb, I have no idea why or what caused it but apparently it just sometimes happens. The rest of the pregnancy went really well luckily.

It’s hard for anyone on here to tell you what’s going on but I would say to ring EPU and see what they say, see if they can get you in for a scan maybe? It’s very scary, I was convinced I was losing her both times. I hope everything goes well for you, I do feel for you xx

Original poster
EllieJade95 · 16/04/2023 17:49

@Ghost92 So glad to hear it worked out for you & I am praying it will be the same for you but feel like my gut knows it’s not 🥹it’s just so awful we have to go through these kinds of things. Unfortunately as it’s a Sunday my EPU unit will be closed & they also say they don’t take self referrals and have to be referred by the likes of a GP etc. I really appreciate your well wishes xx

OP posts:
VictoriaBlossom · 17/04/2023 07:36

I had this at 9w 11w and 12w

One wipe and it was BRIGHT pinky red fresh blood looking. Always first thing in the morning for me

I had a scan at 9w as I was petrified, but saw baby there, and I had another scan Friday when I was 12w bang on as I had more fresh bleeding and saw baby moving about fine

I've learned now, one wipe (plus some coloured discharge for some time after) is absolutely fine,
Sonographer couldn't find the reason for my bleed though

Hope that helps, as someone going through it exactly the same as you

GoneTillNovember · 17/04/2023 07:40

I had a big bleed in my second pregnancy, it was a subchorionic haematoma. I hadn't heard of them before that point but they are fairly common. I had a private scan as I was sure I'd miscarried but the baby was fine and they showed me the bleed on the screen, it was a large black sack of blood.

All was fine with the pregnancy after that and the baby is now 5 🙂 good luck.

Original poster
EllieJade95 · 17/04/2023 10:06

@VictoriaBlossom Thank you for your well wishes & really glad it worked out for you! It was one wipe but it was enough to cover the tissue paper mostly and a little bit after, but since then I haven’t had anything other than when I wipe it’s a tiny bit brown but I wouldn’t even say it’s spotting it’s just slightly different tinge toilet paper. I’ve also had no pain. Fully aware it could still be bad news and I’ve just for whatever reason not had much happen but I’m praying for the best! I have a scan booked for 10:30 tomorrow so just have to deal with the wait now 😫

OP posts:
Original poster
EllieJade95 · 17/04/2023 10:06

@GoneTillNovember I’m hoping this is the same for me! I haven’t had any further bleeding or pain since so I am holding on but still being realistic. Thank you for your well wishes & hoping it works out ok!

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Original poster
EllieJade95 · 17/04/2023 12:46

Just an update, I still haven’t had any red blood and had zero pain/cramps. Today I have found it’s been more like brown discharge, but I’m hesitant to even call it a “discharge” as it’s just a slither of it when I wipe. I’ve read so many posts about bleeding starting as brown and turning to red but none about being red and turning to brown discharge. Is this a common miscarriage sign? It’s strange I only had one red bleed and then nothing apart from some brown discharge but if anything the discharge has now worried me more because I would think if it was a random bleed I wouldn’t have any brown after :(

OP posts:
Makewayforsummer · 17/04/2023 12:48

I bleed that much in my 2nd pregnancy which continued successfully.

mischlerischler · 17/04/2023 12:51

I had bleeding in first trimester (and again in second). They never found a cause, but it was confirmed with the ultrasound that baby was fine.

It can go either way in early pregnancy. It's definitely not uncommon to have a bleeding, so I would try to not worry (I know it's not easy!) and try to get the ultrasound as soon as you can.

All the best! Flowers

Original poster
EllieJade95 · 17/04/2023 12:53

@Makewayforsummer Thats reassuring to hear. Did you have brown discharge after? The red blood was only as I described and stopped immediately but I’ve had very light brown (and not a lot of it) discharge since :(

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Makewayforsummer · 17/04/2023 12:56

Sorry I can’t remember - she is nearly 7 now. I’ve had two miscarriages and they started with brown discharge which turned into bleeding.

If you think your 8 weeks you really need to get onto the books of the midwife service .

Kickingupmerrybehaviour · 17/04/2023 12:57

It’s happened to me in previous pregnancies. I’ve had it go both ways. Hope it turns out well for you op

Original poster
EllieJade95 · 17/04/2023 12:57

@Makewayforsummer That’s why I’m finding this difficult cause there’s lots of talk of brown blood turning to red but not red turning to brown. I referred myself 2 weeks ago and haven’t heard anything, my local hospital says to contact if you haven’t heard by 10 weeks. I’ve got a scan booked for 10:30 tomorrow at my EPU so will know either way

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Original poster
EllieJade95 · 17/04/2023 12:58

@Kickingupmerrybehaviour Thank you for your well wishes, me too. It’s so hard.

OP posts:
Makewayforsummer · 17/04/2023 13:01

EllieJade95 · 17/04/2023 12:57

@Makewayforsummer That’s why I’m finding this difficult cause there’s lots of talk of brown blood turning to red but not red turning to brown. I referred myself 2 weeks ago and haven’t heard anything, my local hospital says to contact if you haven’t heard by 10 weeks. I’ve got a scan booked for 10:30 tomorrow at my EPU so will know either way

It’s good that you have a scan tomorrow. Brown bleeding afterwards is probably just old blood from the initial bleed mixing with discharge and being expelled from your body.

Fingers crossed for tomorrow. I still remember the feeling of going for my last viability scan. Be prepared for being in a situation where you might not have a definitive answer.