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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:
euff · 21/05/2023 07:59

@ladykale @marshmallowsforbreakfast absolutely an ectopic rupture could kill you in the air. Especially if over the Atlantic and nowhere to divert to.

JD90 · 21/05/2023 08:01

At 4-5 weeks it is unlikely they will see anything on a scan. At this stage you would usually be monitored by hcg blood tests 48 hours apart to see if it is rising appropriately. I had a rupture last October, everything went wrong in a very short space of time and I ended up in emergency surgery within a few hours of going in to EPU. Good luck OP.

Original poster
User1815 · 21/05/2023 08:02

Oh gosh what am I supposed to do if they can't see anything if they can't even see in the tube

OP posts:
Overthebow · 21/05/2023 08:04

How’s you are on your way to get seen op. Being practical I’d alert work that you are having a medical issue and may not be able to fly.

Overthebow · 21/05/2023 08:05

User1815 · 21/05/2023 08:02

Oh gosh what am I supposed to do if they can't see anything if they can't even see in the tube

Explain the situation to the person who sees you and get their advice o what to do. They may say you’re fine to fly but if they advise against it then don’t go.

JD90 · 21/05/2023 08:06

There are lots of variables here OP, just breathe and take it as it comes. Do you know if your local epu is even open at the weekend? I know a lot unfortunately aren't, do you have someone who can meet you at the hospital to support you?

Figgygal · 21/05/2023 08:06

Good luck op hope you're seen quickly

euff · 21/05/2023 08:06

Can you explain to work? I know it's not ideal to be telling them at an early stage. I'm sorry about the way I've posted as it would be alarming but an 8 hour flight with these kinds of concerns is alarming to me. I will certainly breathe a sigh of relief if you come back and say it was nothing at all or something quite minor. You shouldn't have to worry about your work commitments right now.

Original poster
User1815 · 21/05/2023 08:07

I am at my local hospital urgent treatment centre I don't know about my local EPU

OP posts:
YukoandHiro · 21/05/2023 08:07

Do not go to the US if you're suffering a potential or suspected miscarriage. Women are being prosecuted for spontaneous miscarriage.

Please also seek medical advice because even at 5/6 weeks a miscarriage can be very uncomfortable. I had mine abroad and flooded for two days - you'll need large pads.

Ansjovis · 21/05/2023 08:08

User1815 · 21/05/2023 08:02

Oh gosh what am I supposed to do if they can't see anything if they can't even see in the tube

What you do is you tell them what the situation is and you follow everything they say. This business trip is not worth sacrificing your life over, which is what it could come down to. As others have said, nowhere to divert to over the Atlantic.

lemonaddde · 21/05/2023 08:08

I wouldn't fly.

It's clearly a suspected miscarriage, which sometimes can be ectopic and life threatening.

Obviously these are worst case scenarios and hopefully this is just spotting and the pregnancy will continue as normal. But I wouldn't risk flying and potentially becoming very unwell mid flight or in another country.

Sorry this is happening to you it's so shit, but you need to prioritise your health Flowers

YukoandHiro · 21/05/2023 08:08

Glad you're at your local clinic - they may refer you to the EPU

lemonaddde · 21/05/2023 08:11

User1815 · 21/05/2023 08:02

Oh gosh what am I supposed to do if they can't see anything if they can't even see in the tube

I would cancel the work trip if after the scan there is any uncertainty about what's going on, or if you don't feel mentally or physically able to.

TheVolturi · 21/05/2023 08:12

I think the chances are you will be ok, unless you cancel the trip though I don't think you will get a scan and to the airport in time?

Original poster
User1815 · 21/05/2023 08:12

I've been told to go to a&e so I'm going to miss my flight

OP posts:
Soproudoflionesses · 21/05/2023 08:15

Sorry to hear this op please keep us updated

Rainbowqueeen · 21/05/2023 08:22

Your health is more important than any work trip.
Text your boss and say you’ve been referred to A and E with a medical issue and that you need to follow medical advice. You will update when you have more info.

Hope you are seen quickly and all is ok

Winniewoooooooo · 21/05/2023 08:24

Good luck. I hope it all goes ok. If appropriate you can fly to Washington tonight? But it is absolutely the right thing to get checked out before you step on that plane.

FoxtrotSkarloey · 21/05/2023 08:25

OP, your health is the most important thing.

You won't be able to affect how quickly you are seen, nor how this will pan out, so please stop thinking about that flight. When you know how things stand, you'll be able to make your next plans.

My first mc I needed two days off work because the bleeding was heavy, my second needed a week off.

I hope everything is ok for you and your baby.

HRTSavedMyHusband · 21/05/2023 08:25

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.

Same. My 5+6 MC was basically a very, very heavy period with some extra gnarly cramping. I would take slots of sanitary protection, lots of painkillers and carry on. EPU can’t stop this if it’s an MC, sadly.

And as others have said, bleeding is common in early pg, so it’s really best to just stay distracted and keep going.

Good luck xxx

Winniewoooooooo · 21/05/2023 08:26

Also pls don't forget to update your travel insurance before you go anywhere - especially now you've been referred to A&E x

endofthelinefinally · 21/05/2023 08:28

Winniewoooooooo · 21/05/2023 08:26

Also pls don't forget to update your travel insurance before you go anywhere - especially now you've been referred to A&E x

This is really important.

Original poster
User1815 · 21/05/2023 08:29

@Winniewoooooooo good point thank you do I call them? Would they help me reschedule if I'm fine? I will fly if it's not an ectopic with a later flight

OP posts:
Fuckitydoodah · 21/05/2023 08:30

Don't go on the flight. Work can wait. Your health cannot.

You don't want to be miscarrying on a flight, nor in another country away from home.

It might be implantation bleeding and cramps. I remember having them around a similar time and had this constant dull ache for a few days.

Either way, be at home. Don't take the risk. Work will have to suck it up. Tell them you've come down with vomiting and diarrhoea if you'd rather they didn't know the real reason.