5 weeks and (tmi for the header) - can anyone answer a few questions re ectopic?

[scardypants]

Hello,

I discovered, to my delight, I was pg on the 26th having been trying for nearly 18mths.

LMP was 26th Nov so I'll only be 5 weeks tomorrow but I started to get a very dark brown discharge last night. Went to EPU and they took a blood test. Doc rang me a few minutes ago and said result was 386 I assume it's HCG. She said I need to repeat in 48hrs and it should have doubled. I told her I've been having low, left-sided pain all morning and it's also in my leg and up to my neck so she wants me in now because she's worried about an EP.

My questions are: Is the 386 a HCG reading and what exactly does it mean. Is it very low for 5wks pg?

Have any of you had a brown discharged simular to the end of a normal period and all has been ok?

Anyone have an EP with symptoms like mine?

I would appreciate any replies at all and thanks in advance.

Hi scardypants..hope you're ok and trying not to worry too much (easier said than done)
The 386 is an hcg reading...I don't think its low but I can't really remember. Someone will know in a mo I'm sure. But if should be doubling at least in 48 hours and is a good indicator of how the pregnancy is going.
Your symptoms do sound very ectopicy to me but it could also be nothing. You must get back to the epu asap for a scan.
I had the brown discharge and shoulder ache.
Please don't worry-theres nothing they can know until they see you really.
I'm keeping everything crossed for you-let us know how you get on.

Thanks Spook

I'm going to have a shower and go straight in. I'm trying so hard not to worry too much in case the stress makes it all worse but like you said, easier said than done.

We'd gotten to the point that we thought it would never happen then such a lovely christmas surprise and now this.

I think it's probably too early even for a vaginal scanner to detect anything yet. Just a waiting game now I guess.

Thanks again for your post. Better go get ready.

Scardypants-just wanted to wish you well,poor you

I've have been the same just over 7 years ago,my symptoms were excately the same as yours (I was about 9 weeks),my ectopic was diagnosed with the hcg reading and the shoulder pain ,although they saved my tube and I went on to have ds (he's 6 now).
Try not to worry,you'll be in safe hands in the hospital.

Best of luck (have a gentle squeeze).

I had a dark discharge on a few occasions early in pregnancy, the doctor said it was normal and didn't even do any tests.
My friend had an EP but she had bright red blood for about 2 weeks (she didn't know she was pg at first) but she didn't have any pains.
As far as I'm aware the hcg reading is no lower or higher depending on whether it is a normal pregnancy or ectopic. The only way that they found out that my friend's pregnancy was ectopic was by doing a scan which showed there was no baby but her hcg levels continued to rise over a couple of days.
I'd try not to worry too much, it's quite normal to get bits of bleeding and pains during pregnancy.

Hi poshwellies and hunny (hi again spook), thanks for your replies.

I was admitted on Tuesday and they did two scans, abdo and vaginal but couldn't find any sac in the womb. They didn't see anything of concern outside it either so all is not lost yet. The hcg after 48hrs was 820 and they said thats good. The pain is gone and there's only slight brown discharge so hopefully when I go back next week for another scan we'll get good news.

Thanks for your words of support. Happy New Year to you all.

SP

Oh scardypants I'm so pleased. I've been thinking about you
Happy New Year and heres to that bean.

That's great news, keep us posted xx

Just caught up with this thread..

Really pleased for you scardypants! [happy]

Sending you lots of positive vibes for your pregnancy and for 2009.

Hi again

Had some other worrying signs since my last post but thankfully they've stopped and I'm feeling a little more optomistic. Just wanted to pop back here to thank you for wishing me well. Hopefully I'll be posting on the 'due September' thread in the next few months.

I'm going to leave this thread to the archives now but will chat to you all again some time on the wonderful MN.

Take care all

SP