Light Spotting at 4 weeks

[Oli16]

I’m around 4 weeks pregnant my first pregnancy and have been having on and off light spotting any bleeding pale red colour over the past few days. Should I go and get this checked out?

My GP said any bleeding I should go to A&E and get a scan to check for ectopic pregnancy however the midwife helpline just told me it is probably just implantation bleeding and if I went for a scan this early it would cause probably more bleeding.

so confused and bit worried what to do?

I look pale / feel tired but no stomach cramping or any shoulder pains.

what would you all do?

It’s very common to bleed during pregnancy, I had periods and cramping throughout and I’ve got two beautiful boys now so don’t automatically think there’s a problem. In the kindest way possible there’s no point going to get checked out unless you have immense pain as nobody can do anything and nothing will show up on a scan until week 6.

Bleeding is quite common, but it is scary. I never bled with my 1st pregnancy. I'm currently 10 weeks with my 2nd and I bled between weeks 5 and 6 x

Thank you - my GPs receptionist just alarmed me today by saying because I’d noted down spotting / light bleeding the GP had told me to go to A&E for a scan which I thought was kind of extreme - its my first pregnancy so I am needing lots of guidance and reassurance as no idea what’s normal and what isn’t!

just booked my first scan at 7 weeks privately so hopefully everything will be fine - thanks for your reply x

Just an update as now I’m stressing out again.

my GP just messaged me this - “Dear Miss Hulme,

Ectopic pregnancies cannot progress and must be terminated to prevent risk to patient's life.

The volume, redness or frequency of blood is irrelevant.

All I can advise is that you attend the nearest A+E to the station once you complete your journey.”

I’m on my way to visit my family for a couple of days who I have NOT yet told I’m pregnant so can’t exactly sneak off for a scan at A&E ….

shall I just ignore GPs suggestions?

@Oli16 I'm unsure what your GP is on! 4 weeks is far too early to see anything on a scan - there's absolutely nothing A&E can or would do so a trip there is pointless. Spotting is really common in early pregnancy (especially around 4 weeks). If it's not accompanied by other signs of ectopic pregnancy then it's nothing to worry about on its own. It definitely is not a sure fire sign of an ectopic. I've had 4 pregnancies now and had early spotting in 3 of them. Honestly GPs are not pregnancy experts, and in a lot of regions no care at all goes through the GP for pregnancy for that reason. They're setting you up to panic for no reason.
If you're still spotting in a week or so, or if it progresses to bleeding (going through a pad in a couple of hours) find out the details for your EPU at your local hospital and they will correctly advise you on what the best course of action is.
I'm actually furious at your GP for being so misinformed and causing worry where there doesn't need to be any right now!

Thank you for this message. I’m new to Mumsnet and am finding all of these messages so reassuring as I literally have been panicking all day and considering going to A&E and cancelling my trip up north to see my family!

its a new GP I’ve signed up to a new surgery today in my area so not familiar with them really but quite a strong worded message!

thank you for you reassurance x

@Oli16 I'm glad it was helpful - yeah please don't panic!

The NHS's own website is a really useful resource with early pregnancy symptoms and advice etc:
www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/pregnancy/week-by-week-guide-to-pregnancy/1st-trimester/week-4/#early-pregnancy-signs

TMI POST!!

Hi lovely ladies, sorry
I need a bit of reassurance please if possible I'm 4 weeks and 4 days and today I've been to toilet and wiped myself and there is pink on the toilet paper sometimes slightly red mostly pink it's only there when I wipe nothing in the toilet I am concerned cos I've had a chemical pregnancy previously I've got my self worked up over seeing this spotting I've been told it could be hormonal bleeding or implantation bleeding but I thought implantation would be finished already could someone please let me know if this means something bad is happening cos I'm really scared rn .
Thank you for reading.

that looks really normal for imputation/early bleeding.

If it was ectopic you are heavily bleeding/ fresh red/ dark blood.

Congratulations!

Update please? Was all okay??