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

@Applecrumble9 I am thrilled for you! This all sounds very positive! Sorry you didn’t receive much in the way of compassion, these people have clearly forgotten this isn’t our every day like them. But wonderful news! I have everything crossed for you! X

@Superscientist yeah I know the symptoms can cruelly continue for a period of time, i was more looking for advice to rule out anything sinister, ectopic etc but they weren’t interested. Im actually appalled. I have very realistic expectations based upon the state of our health service, but the the lack of humanity that’s shocked me. What a sad time we live in.

last I tested was about 2 days before the heavy bleeding started. i likely will test in a week then two then three, don’t think I could wait 3 weeks. Need to see the line reducing or disappearing for my sanity I think. I think it’s human nature to hope so need the evidence that that is pointless.

no midwife at my GP I don’t think, but to be honest I’d rather just ride it out at home, I don’t think I could take one more medical person making me feel like an idiot.

I just feel very unsettled and nervous, my previous loss started with the period cramps too so having them again makes me worried but all I can do is wait and see.
Hope you are feeling OK, i have been there with loss and it is the most awful awful time, please be kind to yourself, get lots of rest and lean on anyone you have to support you. Sending you well wishes xxx

That's understandable. Take care 💕

Hi All,

if anyone is still here, I was wondering if i could maybe ask some more advice?

im no longer bleeding, but did for around 8/9 days … ive pretty much accepted it was a MC unfortunately even though still testing positive so far…

anyway… questions, how long did it take for you who have sadly also had losses to stop testing positive and secondly - I have come out in a severe rash, all over my back, neck, chest, etc … is this a hormonal thing?

thank you again to you all who took the time to speak to me when I was in the thick of this experience, you really were more impactful than you could have known!

thanks in advance!

💖 i tested negative quite quickly after my chemical, i also had my hcg bloods done and they dropped very quickly once the bleeding started (they were down to 3 within 4 days of the bleeding starting) But I tested negative on a urine test the morning the bleeding started (didn't start until 5pm roughly that evening) again i am so sorry xxx

I'm sorry to hear you're still suffering. I think you need to make an urgent appointment with your GP to get this rash checked out. Please don't take no for an answer and please don't go back to the EPU, because they were so cruel and worse than useless.

Thinking of you xXx

@Applecrumble9 Hey! How are you getting on?

it says online it can take quite a while to test negative, so im not putting too much weight on the line still being positive at the point! Thank you for replying though! Xx

@MandyFriend Thank you! I have actually managed to get an appointment this afternoon with the GP re the rash, it might be entirely unrelated but it’s everywhere now 🙈 can’t catch a break this last week or so!

I haven’t even bothered getting back in touch with the EPU, they were so awful I just don’t even want to. Apparently someone is going to call me to check if my HPT is negative around 03/02 but I’m not even holding out hope that they will!

how are you? Xxx

Sorry that you’re going through this and that EPU have been poor, I had similar and it can really get you down. When I was eventually seen they were fab, but it took a while. I tested positive for about 3 weeks after, I also bled / spotted for a good while. Everyone is different, and it makes it so much harder the not really knowing. Hope you get your rash sorted x

For sure, everyone is different, some peoples hcg can take quite a while to drop xx the rash could be trauma/stress related too if not hormones as it is a very very traumatic time.
Things are much the same for me, still without answers as of now, lots of brown spotting and cramps, really quite bad cramps/stabbing pains at times and lots of brown stringy discharge yesterday whereas before it hadnt been stringy (sorry tmi), I do also have nausea and sore boobs although they are not so bad today. I have the follow up scan next week so until them im in limbo I suppose. Xxx thinking of you and sending hugs, i have been there and it is truly the most horrible time x

I don't have any advice for your current situation, but I think you should put in a complaint about the person who spoke to you from EPU. That is an absolutely shocking lack of empathy or even simple common courtesy.

Is the line getting more faint? I know when I bled (lightly) in the first trimester my test line kept getting darker.

If your line is getting darker each day maybe you need to get a scan? If not I'd presume miscarriage

Sorry you're going through this OP x

@MsCactus thank you! It’s rubbish isn’t it? Also, just to add insult to injury… I have chicken pox 🙄 … this last week has just been hell

hey, no my line isn’t getting fainter yet. Actually still a very strong positive. Stronger than any of my initial ones actually. I don’t have a massive frame of reference because i stopped testing after a few days of positives and didn’t track if my line was getting darker after then, but the test I done on the 19th and yesterday were both still very dark positives. However again ive read that can happen. I think if I’m still positive on 3rd they’ll maybe scan me to make sure all tissue is away!

@Applecrumble9 still sounds very positive! I have everything crossed for you! Limbo is the worst! They shouldn’t be allowed to just leave you with no closure! Hopefully your scan shows your little one happy and snug!!

Well the GP has told me my rash is actually chicken pox, so that’s one more slap in the face I could have done without this week! Xx

Chickenpox, you poor thing! What else did your GP say and are they doing anything about the chickenpox in case you're still pregnant? I hope you're getting pampered and looked after at home, because you deserve it!

I'm doing OK, thank you 😘

Hey @SapphicScot , I'm so sorry about your experience with EPU - it took 3 weeks for me to test negative after my MC in June, I miscarried at about 6 weeks. I bled for 9-10 days.

I'm now 12 weeks, I found out from my NIPT last week that it's a boy - my LMP was 3rd November, I was so disappointed it wasn't the next cycle after my MC but it wasn't too long in the end. I'm really hoping I'm out of the woods now I'm past the 12 weeks mark but I still worry each day! I'm only sharing this as I felt like I only saw stories from those who were pregnant again almost straight away and was so disheartened it didn't happen for me!

I got a little pebble with a heart engraved in it and wrote the date of my MC on it - I felt like I somehow needed to commemorate it. I am approaching what would have been my due date in Feb and I still feel sad about what might of been.

I am so sorry for your loss xxx