Light bleed dismissed by EPU

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I’m 7+3 weeks pregnant today. I had a small amount of red spotting on Saturday, then have had more this morning. It’s on my panty liner and there’s more when I wipe. I called the maternity hospital this morning for advice (I have previously had similar early bleeds in two previous pregnancies and was offered a scan).

The midwife told me there were lots of reasons I could be bleeding at 7 weeks and said it sounds like an implantation bleed. I’m just to monitor it and only call back if:

• I fill a sanitary pad every hour with red blood
• I pass clots the size of a cherry tomato or bigger

Otherwise I am to just leave it. She actually didn’t mention calling back if I was in pain (thankfully I’m not).

Does this sound like standard advice? I was a bit surprised. Obviously I’m at the stage where bleeding could indicate an ectopic so I would have thought they might want to rule that out.

That does sound standard advice in my experience, especially if you haven't had previous miscarriage(s). Can you get a private scan? That's what I did with my last miscarriage.

I was a bit surprised to be told not to call back unless I was filling a pad with red blood every hour. That seems quite a drastic level of blood loss. I was offered a scan within a couple of days after calling the same EPU with similar symptoms in two previous early pregnancies. So far my spotting is steady and I only have mild cramps. But it’s agonising not to know what’s going on.

I might look into getting an early private scan, especially if the spotting/bleeding continues, thank you.

Yep. I found EPU dismissive and uninterested. Never offered to see me and advice was same as you. Even when I did end up with heavier bleeding and clotting they refused to scan me, just told me to go home and watch and wait

It honestly depends with who you end up on phone with EPU. First time I called was about brown spotting and they booked me in for a scan straight away, then I had severe red bleeding in two occasions and they just dismissed me as my 12week scan was good?!?! Shocking! I ended up going private

Unfortunately yes , this can be the standard advice as bleeding is extremely common in pregnancy so unless accompanied by other symptoms they often won't bring you in

Yes exact same with me, I had spotting and cramping and was told its normal. I knew it wasn't for me so paid for a private scan. I understand they can't possibly scan everyone but it's awful when you feel somethings wrong. Hopefully that isn't the case and everything is fine for you, I know it can be very common x

I am 5 weeks 4 days and went to my GP as I have been experiencing spotting. My GP called EPU and they said they would see me on my 7 weeks for a scan… got to wait 11 days stressing about the discharge and hope it doesn’t get worse!

has anyone got what I’ve had? It’s not loads and doesn’t go on my underwear as it’s very light… but I know it’s there 😟

Thanks for all the replies. My spotting has settled and I’ve not had any since lunchtime.
I looked into an early private scan and it would cost around £75 so that could be an option, but my husband would be reluctant to fork out the money when we could wait. If I have further bleeding or symptoms I will definitely call EPU back and push to be seen.

Sorry to hear you have a stressful wait @Rose2024. I will say that is less spotting than I had, and looks like older blood. You are also a couple of weeks earlier than I am: I would guess that this could be an implantation bleed which is very common and not cause for concern.

Mine was several episodes of red spotting when I wiped and also on my panty liner. It’s horrible to have to wait and bear the uncertainty, so I really sympathise. I’m glad you have been offered an early scan at least.

Sorry but yes this sounds standard advice, they can’t scan everyone who spots or bleeds and ultimately if you are going to miss carry you are going to miss carry. I have had mc’s, mmc and a late mc so it’s not just me being flippant. It is stressful but most people have to just fork out for private scans or wait and hope.

I think it's how it is now I had a scan in 2016 after some light spots and the same at 2017 but this pregnancy I wasn't able to get one the NHS just isn't the same.

I started bleeding on a Saturday at 7 weeks with my first pregnancy. EPU refused to see me. It eased off and wasn't too bad on the Sunday. On Monday morning the bleeding got worse and I rang EPU again. They agreed to scan me that time 'to reassure you everything is fine'.

It was an ectopic. I had no other symptoms at that stage whatsoever. On the Tuesday night it ruptured and I went to A&E. I had emergency surgery on the Wednesday afternoon. If I hadn't known it was ectopic already I wouldn't have gone to A&E until much later as my shoulder pain was so mild.

If the bleeding doesn't ease off or gets worse, please call back or go to A&E. If you get any shoulder or abdominal pain, even if mild, please call back or go to A&E.

Lots of bleeding in early pregnancy isn't due to a problem/miscarriage or ectopic, it is very common to have bleeding in early pregnancy but please do be aware of the symptoms of an ectopic, just in case.

@DemelzaRobins I’m sorry this happened to you and I’m very glad you were on high alert to go to A&E for treatment. I’m aware of the small possibility of an ectopic and what symptoms to look out for, so thank you. If the EPU policies are not to scan until bleeding is very heavy, I am concerned that some women could have their ectopics missed. Perhaps that’s a risk the health board are willing to take.

Hi
just wanted to message as we are going through similar right now too.

we are very early in our pregnancy. At 4+4 we had our second positive test (IVF) and was on a high. At 4+5 I started to bleed in the evenings. It was fresh blood and much more than spotting, I guess like a mid flow period. Saturday evening it stopped and Sunday morning it started again this time with multiple clots. it stopped by lunch time and I havnt bled since.

we are now on Wednesday and what may be 5+2. Our pregnancy tests are still coming back as positive and the digital showing 2-3 however we know HCG can stay in the system so that really means nothing. The clinic booked us a scan on the 8th March and told us to test before we come and if it’s negative they will cancel but otherwise to carry on as normal - whatever that means. I am spending every minute second guessing everything.

ill keep my fingers and toes crossed for you that everything is ok

@wishinghard2 are you from the UK? If so, I called my GP they seen me that day and made contact with the Early Pregnancy Unit to arrange an earlier scan. I now have one booked in for the 9th meaning I will be 7 weeks. I have also paid for a private scan for this weekend as I will be 6 weeks. I might not be able to see much at this stage but I need something to reassure me. I hope this helps x

@Rose2024 it’s so hard isn’t it. I really hope you get the scan and the positive results! Our bleed was quite heavy and involved a fair few clots and so 4 days now after it started we have just got our confirmation that we had a chemical pregnancy as the positive lines in tests have now faded right down and the digital has gone down to 1-2 weeks instead of 3-4 which was showing yesterday and all last week.

it’s been an absolute roller coaster of emotions, but I would do it all again in a second if I got the chance.

i wish you all the best of luck for a healthy happy baby

@wishinghard2 awww I am sooo sorry to hear this 😞 I really had everything crossed for you! Sending you all my love xx

@wishinghard2 I’ve just seen your replies. Thank you for your thoughtful wishes. I have had no spotting since yesterday morning and my pregnancy symptoms are unchanged, so I’m cautiously hopeful. I’m so sorry to hear that things have not gone well for you. Take things easy and be kind to yourself. Xx 💐