Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Bleeding and 8 hour flight shortly

117 replies

User1815 · 21/05/2023 07:15

Hello

I am about 4-5 weeks pregnant (last period started 17th April, 31 day cycle). Tested positive 8 days ago.

I've just woken up to light bleeding, blood discharge in my knickers and blood when I went to the toilet. It's reddish brown. I'm due to fly to Washington in 5 hours which is an 8 hour flight for work. I'm scared what am I supposed to do. I have twinging left sided pain which I've had for the past week so I'm obviously worried of an ectopic or general miscarriage.

OP posts:
VioletPickles · 21/05/2023 07:16

How long are you away for? Feel for you op x

LysHastighed · 21/05/2023 07:18

It’s unfortunate timing but I think you need to call 111 and go to a&e if that’s where they send you. If it means you miss your flight, then you miss it. Perhaps there is one later in the day you can change to.

Original poster
User1815 · 21/05/2023 07:20

I fly back on Thursday 25th

OP posts:
PurBal · 21/05/2023 07:20

Are you in pain?
A bit of spotting isn’t necessarily something to worry about and the EPU is unlikely to see you until 6 weeks. They can’t do anything to stop the pregnancy ending either, I found that quite comforting when I had bleeding in early pregnancy “what will be will be”.
Discomfort and cramps are also normal (I had them for 3 weeks with DC1) but pain isn’t.
If you’re in pain, then I would suggest ruling out an ectopic.
If not, it’s up to you, I would probably fly. But given it’s a work trip maybe some time off is a better idea? Can you call in sick?

Original poster
User1815 · 21/05/2023 07:20

I just did 111 online and it said "contact your GP surgery now"

OP posts:
Original poster
User1815 · 21/05/2023 07:21

I'm not in pain it's just a bit like period like cramps

OP posts:
Applesandpears23 · 21/05/2023 07:22

I wouldn’t go to the US pregnant at the moment sadly.

heldinadream · 21/05/2023 07:22

You're going to have to prioritise your health OP. It's really hard but you really can't fly if you are miscarrying, never mind ectopic.
Hard as it is I think I'd immediately inform work that there is a medical emergency, stop thinking about work and then concentrate on you and your medical and emotional needs. Hope you're OK.

Overthebow · 21/05/2023 07:30

How long are you there for? Is it spotting or actual bleeding with red blood? Spotting and brown blood is fairly common but if it’s red I would be more wary. As pp said there’s not much EPU can do this early but I wouldn’t go to the US if a miscarriage is likely.

drpet49 · 21/05/2023 07:31

I certainly would get on a plane with those symptoms.

drpet49 · 21/05/2023 07:31

Wouldn’t!

marshmallowsforbreakfast · 21/05/2023 07:32

I'll go against the grain and said I'd still go. Take lots of pads just in case but at 4-5 weeks pregnant I wouldn't be too concerned.

euff · 21/05/2023 07:37

Please do not get on a plane if you suspect ectopic. I had an ectopic rupture in air. I didn't know what is was as there was no bleeding just very uncomfortable to start with. I was lucky that I had a stopover after two hours by which time I was in a much worse way. I was taken from the plane to a dr in the airport and he suspected ectopic and sent me to hospital and I had surgery, I was told there was two litres of blood in my abdomen. The consultant told me if I'd been on a direct flight I would have died. Sometimes flights can be diverted but what if it can't?

It could very well be absolutely nothing and I hope so but personally wouldn't take that chance.

endofthelinefinally · 21/05/2023 07:39

Don't get on an 8 hour flight. Don't risk your health.

ohfook · 21/05/2023 07:39

I'd go. I've miscarried at around 6 weeks and while emotionally it was tough, physically it was like a particularly nasty period. I rang 111 and they didn't need to see me. The advice was to just wait a week and do another pregnancy test and call my gp if it was still showing as positive (it wasn't). So I think if you didn't go, you'd just be sitting around in your house anyway.

Also some bleeding is fairly common in early pregnancy so you may be fine.

roses2 · 21/05/2023 07:41

If you're only 4-5 weeks I would go. Going to a GP won't help and if it is a miscarriage, which is very very common at this stage it would be just like a normal period.

Bournetilly · 21/05/2023 07:42

Call 111 or EPU. They need to rule out ectopic (not sure how early EPU will see you but if you have symptoms of an ectopic they might.

If it’s not an ectopic I’d probably still go. But don’t feel guilty for not going either, put yourself first.

euff · 21/05/2023 07:43

@User1815 to add to my previous post. If you suspect ectopic please ensure you are not alone or that someone is checking on you. If you have internal bleeding you could pass out.

ladykale · 21/05/2023 07:50

marshmallowsforbreakfast · 21/05/2023 07:32

I'll go against the grain and said I'd still go. Take lots of pads just in case but at 4-5 weeks pregnant I wouldn't be too concerned.

An ectopic pregnancy can kill you if stuck in the air without medical treatment I thought? Bleeding isn't the issue but the pain is!

Original poster
User1815 · 21/05/2023 07:50

I've called 111 they say I need to be seen and referred me to hospital, I've diverted my taxi there hoping to still make it if I'm seen quick and it's not an ectopic it's the ectopic thing I'm scared of as pain on one side!

OP posts:
euff · 21/05/2023 07:53

Hopefully you won't have to wait long given your concerns.

Original poster
User1815 · 21/05/2023 07:53

Will they be able to see on a scan if it's ectopic this early?

OP posts:
Illbeready · 21/05/2023 07:54

It will be a vaginal scan.

heldinadream · 21/05/2023 07:55

User1815 · 21/05/2023 07:50

I've called 111 they say I need to be seen and referred me to hospital, I've diverted my taxi there hoping to still make it if I'm seen quick and it's not an ectopic it's the ectopic thing I'm scared of as pain on one side!

OP please remember if you are miscarrying in the US and in a place that is having current abortion disputes you may find it difficult to get perfectly standard life-saving healthcare.
Don't AT ALL want to scare you but while ectopic is certainly the biggest concern a simple miscarriage could also get you into hot water stateside.
Please let us know how you get on. Best of luck.

TeenagersAngst · 21/05/2023 07:58

I'm not suggesting OP gets on the plane, but for accuracy, abortion is still legal in the District of Columbia.