Period like bleeding - 5 + 1/2 weeks

[SapphicScot]

Hi all,

I am looking for some advice, maybe just to write it down, because i’m pretty sure I know what’s happening already unfortunately.

i am 5w + 4d pregnant, however ive been spotting brown when wiping over the last week.. I was trying to remain positive and reading success stories on mumsnet. Last night I started bleeding quite heavily, (full disclosure, TMI TO FOLLOW) the blood is now red, dark but red, it’s not going onto my pad but when going to the bathroom/wiping it’s like a period. I have mild cramping but nothing significant pain wise.

Called EPU but they were closed and maternity can’t do anything on the weekend other than refer me for tomorrow for a scan to confirm a MC.

I’m not really one for false hope, I’m just not sure how or what to feel. This is my first pregnancy, or maybe, was.

Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated from anyone who’s experienced anything similar.

Thanks in advance xx

It was a long time ago, but from what I can remember, the bleeding I had from the low lying placenta was very red and fresh. They explained the bleeding was caused by the placenta rubbing on the cervix. The MC was much darker and a lot heavier.

I hope that helps xXx

With my MMC, I knew it was over before my body did so was waiting for symptoms. I only had some pink wiping earlier on (possibly was still implantation), then no more bleeding. Stopped growing at 6 weeks, carried till 10. I was due surgery and had gone in to sign consents the day before. Omw home from consents I very suddenly had a huge bleed and the miscarriage took place over the next 15 hours. I don't know if miscarriages are always sudden, but your bleeding doesn't sounds like that. The cramps were very obvious and painful too, nothing like period pain. I have definitely heard reasons for quite big bleeds that don't reflect the health of the pregnancy, so I'm hoping you get a scan asap that shows one of those reasons. Best of luck pal, it's can be so scary.

Thank you Apple! You are in my thoughts and I am sending you all the well wishes and positivity! I really hope it all works out for you!

cramping etc can be totally normal! So I wouldn’t worry too much about that in isolation. Every pregnant person I’ve known has said they’ve had significant cramping in their first trimester.

keep me posted! I look forward to hearing your good news!! Xx

I just wanted to say good luck OP. I’ve had 2 MCs and the first time I was hopeful maybe it might be implantation bleeding but the second time I didn’t even hope, I knew what was going on (for me). I hope you have a different outcome. I would also add after 2 MC I had a baby ( my second child, the MC came between 1 & 2) so I know it doesn’t make it ok but don’t lose hope if you do get bad news xx

Thank you!

i’m sorry to hear about your two MC’s 💔

part of me doesnt want to believe it but the realistic part of me is pretty sure it’s a MC! So just need to wait for the confirmation and hopefully not left in limbo too long.

Just an update for anyone interested…

had a call from EPU this morning after a referral was put in by midwife triage over the weekend, who said they’d likely scan me to confirm MC etc… nope they called and said just take a test in 3 weeks and it’ll likely be negative. Ok bye. Literally no empathy or care given…

so guess that’s that!

So sorry to hear this, and similar situation with me this morning, Called my local EPU they told me they are very busy and I'll have to wait for an appointment or else go via a&e which in Ireland likely means waiting 7+ hours to even be seen and then the EPU will be closed. No kindness at all on the phone, very upsetting.
This waiting is horrible x

Sorry to hear this! Clearly not much better here in Scotland. Ive not even to get an appointment just deal with it at home and go to A&E if the bleeding is excessive and test in 3 weeks. No point going to A&E as you said, they’ll not do anything and I’ll just wait hours on end for the privilege. I’d rather just be at home.

I am now properly bleeding and soaking into a pad - so im just accepting what’s happened now!

I do hope you get some answers soon though and I have everything crossed for you the guys good news! X

I'm so sorry xxx it is truly the most awful time 💔 I went through an early loss in November so its really difficult to face being back here again

That is very sad news indeed and I'm so sorry they were so blunt with you. I hoped things would have come on a bit since I lost my babies 25+ years ago, but clearly not. Early MC is very common, but it doesn't take away from your own personal pain and heartbreak, something health professionals tend to forget.

Yeah it was very disappointing. Just the entire attitude was very poor. Even an explanation as to why a scan or blood test isn’t necessary.

I know the little sod didn’t even likely have a heartbeat yet, but everyone with a heart knows that to you it’s already a little person you’ve pictured and imagined and dreamt about a thousand times over 💔!

I am sending positive vibes and all the luck in the world to anyone still waiting and wondering!

Well let’s stay positive! Light spotting can mean nothing bad! Xx

I am sorry for your loss. The differences in EPUs is shocking I've only had good experiences fortunately but I know others with poor experiences.

I had two miscarriages last year in 6 months and read that 2 out of 3 pregnancies with bleeding are completely fine. There is still a chance.

For me in both cases I went from spotting to heavy bleeding in 24 h and by heavy I mean going through 3 night pads in an afternoon and having to sit on the toilet because blood was pouring out of me. The first time I present at a and E and they tested my HCG and haemoglobin due to the blood loss. I was seen at the epu the next morning and they confirmed I had lost the pregnancy. They repeated my HCG and they had halved in 16h. The second time I had had 3 scan during the pregnancy which showed the pregnancy was very behind with a heartbeat then no heartbeat and confirmed no heartbeat a week later. The spotting started the evening before the last scan. The very heavy bleeding lasted about an hour and it was clear that I had passed the pregnancy. Had it lasted longer I would have contacted the epu or gone to a and E depending on the time of day.

Keep an eye on the bleeding, having to change the pad frequently would be a sign that you need to seek further medical advice. The bleeding with my first last a week and the second only 4 days. I'd call back if bleeding isn't easing off after a week. Its a tricky time as there's not a lot to see. It took 3 scans to confirm my second loss as they had to check if it was growing over a time frame and I needed to sonographers to agree that the pregnancy had gone if I needed medical management of the pregnancy to avoid mistakes. It was only because my first pregnancy should have been 10 weeks that they were happy to say that I had lost the pregnancy. Had I been earlier it would have been a pregnancy of unknown location and I would have been back and to for repeated scans to check there wasn't a pregnancy growing somewhere it shouldn't be. Instead they monitored the drop of my HCG which did fall asleep would be expected post miscarriage. They didn't do this with my second loss. I asked for a few days to see if my body would do what it needed before accepting medication to manage the loss. It did so I was told to take a pregnancy test in 3 weeks and to be in touch if I needed anything.

Is a private scan an option? If not I would take another test now and if it’s positive I’d go through GP although my local EPU won’t see anyone under 6 weeks but I think you need confirmation either way.

I'm so sorry OP. I don't know if you'd consider it but it's about £50-60 for an early private scan - would you consider paying to confirm a MC or not? I think they'll scan you from 6 weeks, but it'll have to be vaginally that early

Thank you!

if I thought there was any chance left I’d book in for a private scan however given the events of today, shall spare the details, im certain ive had a MC sadly. So don’t even want to put myself through that.

Thank you for sharing your experience and I am so sorry to hear you went through that twice!

Sadly today with the amount of blood i’ve lost and clots etc a MC is a certainty at this point.

I was disappointed with the EPU but I am so glad you had a positive experience!

please feedback your experience of EPU to your local pals complaints service

im a midwife but embarrassed to say that after the care i and so many have received from epu at my local trust.
i had a ectopic in feb & miscarriage in nov. when i found out i was pregnant in nov i was so paranoid id lose my other tube. The nurse on the phone honestly had no compassion & said i was overthinking…. they said they couldn’t fit me in for a scan until 8 weeks as they were too busy even though i had started spotting. My ectopic erupted at 7 weeks, i lost my tube and 3 litres of my blood meaning i needed a blood transfusion.. so you can see why i was so anxious.
i only got scanned at 6 weeks and 2 days as my matron of maternity marched me in and demanded they scanned me.. but i shouldn’t just get special treatment.

Sadly there are too many people abusing and claiming the NHS that it can’t give the care we all need. It’s over populated and it really can’t cope. Maternity itself is overworked and unstaffed. i have 112 women to look after on my caseload.. i should have 55 according to my contract but i can’t refuse and everyone else is over too.
i have also known women say they are bleeding just to get a early scan!!!😡

Im so sorry to hear you went through this! That is awful. What chance have any of us got if they don’t even look after their own? It’s not about special treatment, I am so glad your Matron had your back! Of course you were anxious, my goodness, this is terrible!

Maybe once I’m feeling a little less fragile I might actually make a complaint. I hadn’t thought of that, but the service I got was awful. No thought or perspective about how I may have been feeling, didn’t ask if it was my first MC or 5th - nothing! Just awful! You could very much tell I was just a name on her list from the weekend, which I get is the reality, but you’d hope they’d remember it’s human beings they are dealing with. I too have a public facing role which is over stretched and understaffed, but I wouldn’t leave someone feeling the way they did today!

The worst thing is often it's not their actions that make the difference. It's their tone and mannerisms and it doesn't cost any more to relay the next steps with compassion.
What happened after my second miscarriage wasn't too dissimilar to you. Go home, see if you miscarry do a test in 3 weeks but I came away feeling heard and supported and you came away feeling hurt all from the tone and the words around the advice.

How are you doing today?

I'm so sorry to read your update. You're not alone. Do keep a little tally of your bleeding if it's still going strong (I just measured in saturated pads/hour) so when the bleeding was easing off, despite me worrying it was still a lot, I could see it was actually diminishing. (I was just terrified because of a previous non-pregnancy related cervical haemorrhage). I was so lucky to have a supportive EPU, and I'm so sorry that's not a unilateral experience.

I hope you feel the support and care of all the women here. I took my time to process, and just let myself get fully immersed in games/tv/audiobooks to allow my brain rests from grieving. I hope you've support around you as well as virtually.

I am sorry that it looks like you have had an MC. It is always very sad, but do be kind to yourself. There is often no rhyme or reason as to why these things happen. Take comfort from knowing you can get pregnant and hopefully, you will be successful next time.

I lost two babies, but went on to have two healthy and beautiful baby girls. They are both all grown up now but I still get very sad when I remember my two failed pregnancies.

Thank you to call who took the time to engage and share! It’s such a confort. I do have plenty of real life support thankfully but just helpful to speak with others who have had similar experiences.

unfortunately had another negative interaction with EPU again today. I’ve been feeling really nauseous and lethargic so thought I’ll call back for some advise about what to expect maybe and what’s concerning as the first interaction left a lot to be desired. Well today wasn’t any better, the general vibe was “why are you calling here?” Told me to go to A&E or my GP if I feel unwell. I explained I was only seeking advice and she was like ok, well you were advised yesterday … i then heard her cover the phone (not well) and discuss with the delightful woman I spoke with yesterday who sniped “I told her yestersay what to do” .. needless to say I won’t be calling back there. Absolutely terrible.

bleeding has slowed but still there. Pain has been minimal the entire time thankfully.

went down Rabbit hole of false miscarriages today but fully aware that’s not what going on. Just wishful thinking and im sure normal, or maybe im nuts xx

@SapphicScot I am so sorry to hear this xx absolutely horrible experience for you from the people who should be so understanding and supporting, comforting and kind. My GP told me to go to a&e due to cramps and i seen my EPU that way, i would say the ultrasound tech was very to the point, no kindness or warmth either.
She did say to me bleeding can go either way, she said some women have massive bleeds and the pregnancy is fine, others have a small amount and the pregnancy isn't, she said there's no real way of knowing without ultrasound. My ultrasound didn't show much, i was dating 5 weeks, by my figures I'd be 5 wks 4 days but she said that's fine due to implantation dates etc.
Gestational sac and yolk sac both present and look OK but too early for foetal pole or heartbeat so I have to return in 2 weeks. Gynaecologist was quite to the point too, stated if i started bleeding within those 2 weeks theres nothing they can do for me. So im not sure where I stand
I know you've had a horrible experience with EPU but it might be worth getting a scan just to be safe xxx my cramps are actually worse after the scan, feel exactly like period cramps but atleast ectopic has been ruled out xx

How insensitive. I'm sorry they have been so unsympathetic.
It takes time for the hormones to start to decrease so cruelly you can still get pregnancy symptoms in the early days of the loss.
I get hyperemesis in pregnancy and with my first loss I was still on antiemetics for 3 days post miscarriage and the nausea lasted about a week.
Bleeding with my first miscarriage lasted just over a week and my second about 4 days which was more in line with the length of my typical period.

3 weeks must feel like a lifetime right now especially with no confirmation of a loss just highly likely. How long has it been since you last did a pregnancy test? I'm not one to suggest repeated tests but I wonder if testing once a week to see if the tests are getting fainter or staying strong would help in this situation? With my last loss I tested after 2 weeks and got a faint positive and tested a week later and got a negative. We hadn't waited so I was wanted a comparison between 2 and 3 weeks in case the 3 weeks test was positive to have an idea of it was due to the previous or a new pregnancy.

Is there a midwife attached to your GP surgery? I wonder if they would have a bit more compassion and ease your worries and answer your queries. I totally get it if your experience at the epu makes you want to avoid all professionals!