Has anyone had spotting in early pregnancy and still scans are normal?

[catchya]

Hi there everyone I am new to this and sit constantly on the the internet trying to make sense of what my daughter is going through. She has had 4 previous miscarriages and is 9 weeks 1 day. From week 4 she has had spotting on and off with two clots around 6 weeks. She has had weekly scans showing all is normal. I cant understand why this is happening and the Dr is not very helpful at all. I would go through this 20 times for her to save the heartbreak. She spends everyday with me and most of the time is in the toilet checking for loss. This is so hard is there anything positive anyone can add. I appreciate any response. Thanks for reading.

Many of my friends have had lots of bleeding in early pregnancy. All assumed that they had lost the baby but none of them did. So many people I know had the bleeding, it must be pretty common although I'm not sure of the cause. All their babies are 100% healthy and fine.

I can understand why you're so concerned as she has suffered so horribly from the miscarriages. In a couple of weeks your daughter should have her booking in appt with her midwife (if she hasn't already). In my experience, midwives are much more sympathetic and forthcoming with information than doctors. Perhaps you could go with your daughter to see the midwife and ask her to explain the spotting. She will ask about the miscarriages anyway and I'm sure she will be happy to help you because of your daughter's pregnancy history.

Wishing your daughter the best of luck and you sound like you're a lovely support to her so after the 12 week scan I hope you can both relax and enjoy the pregnancy.

Dear catchya - sending big love to you and your daughter.

Bleeding/spotting in pregnancy is more common than I ever imagined before coming on somewhere like mumsnet. I am currently pg with my 3rd and never had it until this pregnancy. I was amazed when an early scan showed a heartbeat.

The reason I've been given is possible cervical erosion. I've heard that sometimes the body is releasing some of the lining that would have been a period.

It's reassuring that her scans are showing a healthy baby, each week that goes by the chances of miscarriage lessen. I'm sorry she is going through this x

Sorry you and your daughter are going through all this horrible worry, catchya. I had spotting in the early weeks of both my pregnancies. So far everything is fine with this one 23 weeks in and the last one was fine too. The early pregnancy unit couldn't explain the reason for the bleeding to me either- I think sometimes they just don't know, maybe. Really hope your daughter will come through this. It's great that she has such a lovely mum supporting her.

Hi catchya, you sound lovely to be so worried about your daughter.

Speaking as a doctor, spotting in early pregnancy is extremely common but the problem we have is that in the vast majority of cases we can't find a reason and it is useless as a predictor of continuing pregnancy health.

People who miscarry often have spotting but could have none at all (a 'missed' or 'silent' miscarriage) and usually have cramps and heavier bleeding.

But most people with spotting go on to have normal babies and lots of people with cramps and heavier bleeding also go on to have normal babies. it is just impossible to tell which group someone will be in.

Usually the bleeding is from a small area on the placenta or from the cervix which is much more sensitive during pregnancy. Scans are normal because the baby is developing fine and is oblivious to the bleeding.

Unfortunately you can have no bleeding and a fine scan one day and the next day can miscarry and except in cases of infection or some blood conditions nothing can be done to predict or prevent it.

I can understand why you are so worried. I am lucky enough not to have experienced a miscarriage but at 7+11 weeks I had quite heavy bleeding and I know how scary it is. I stayed at home because I knew that I was safe but that if I was going to miscarry nothing could be done to change it. I was convinced that there would be no heartbeat on the 12 week scan. My son is now over a year old.

I hope things work out for your daughter. The doctors are not deliberately being unhelpful and I can tell you that they are not unsympathetic. But we used to see 10-20 young women a day with bleeding +/- pain and although you feel sympathetic towards all of them you can't continue your job or look after them if you get too upset with each one. Especially since most of them have a happy ending.

Hi ummadam Firstly are you available for consultations in Australia just kidding but I understand Dr point of view. It doesnt make it any easier knowing it can go either way in reality what can he possibly say to put her mind at ease. I appreciate your response and love to hear stories with happy endings. It is probably harder for you knowing as much as you do as it is for my daughter as she is nursing and has a wealth of knowledge on the topic now. She has had all tests possible showing no reason for her past miscarriages but on this last scan showed a small bleed near the placenta. A positive sign is she had implantation bleeding early on so we remain positive. Every twinge she has causes major stress and no-one can say anything to eliminate her fears. 12 weeks roll on and then hopefully a little less stress as it cant be all that good for her. As a mum I know after birth you never ever stop worrying about your children. I would love for her to be able to relax a little and enjoy being pregnant.

I had bleeding with my dd, who is now almost 3 and perfectly healthy, no cause was ever found.

I know have bleeding with my second at 8+4, and am too worried, but keep trying to reassure myself that it happened same time last time so not necessarily a problem. I agree with ummadam that it is difficult to put ourselves in a category and Drs just do not know.
I really hope things progress normally for your DD and that soon she can start relaxing and enjoying her pregnancy. Good luck x

Thanks pav I deep down agree with the Dr's point of view. It's like we ask who is more deserving in being able to have a family. Is it the couple who have the house with two garage and dog in front of the fire or the young single teenage girl who receives the government grant because she has a family and needs money for a car. Not being judgmental is very hard and to be in that profession you do what you have to I guess to be able to continue. There are may lovely Dr's out there just some of their comments are I feel are unsympathetic. It personally is not a career choice I would make. And after all they are not miracle workers. Rewarding at times but oh the heartbreak you would see. Can I ask how often you had bleeds with your three year old and was it just the 1st trimester? My daughter has passed clots sorry if thats too much info. But with previous m/c she has started heavy bleeding not spotting. I hope all settles down for you and all the info I have read seems positively better once you have passed the 8 week mark. Good luck to you.

Catchya, just wanted to add my sympathies and best wishes. I've also had 4 mcs, and I know how it feels to be absolutely parnoid with every twinge/ bit of spotting. It's awful.

Sounds like you are a wonderful support to your DD. I can only imagine how frustrating and upsetting it is for you, to see your DD suffering and not being able to do anything about it.

Good luck, I hope it all turn out well this time. There is every chance that it will.

Thankyou littlepeanut and I have been reading these posts from last night. It does sound like this is all about me but that is not my intention. I am not much of a support really just doing what all other mums would do. Very upsetting and stressful for her but today she is the best I have seen her. Wanted to talk about her sore boobs and feeling sick. Didnt like me burning lavender oil so had to blow it out. Now I will look up what oils I can burn lol Paranoid about every little thing but progress because she would be content to stay in bed from scan to scan. She even had makeup on and had straightened her hair Cheers

I had one reasonably heavy bleed at 6wks, and one lighter spotting at about 8wks.

Sore boobs and not liking certain smells are absolutely a good sign!