12w today - just had light bleeding. whats going on?

[vmcd28]

I'm 12 w today, and heard a lovely strong heartbeat only this morning.
I just went to the loo, still smiling away, and when I wiped, the tp was covered in light coloured blood. It was probably discharge mixed with blood. I wiped two or three more times, and it was the same. Doesnt seem to be flowing, but I cant stop crying.
What on earth is going on?

I had light brown spotting for a few days, but that had completely gone today.

Hi there. I had bleeding at 12 weeks and all was fine. They didn't even check me out. I also had bleeding at 16 weeks while on holiday abroad. I got scanned and all was normal. Try not to panic, although I know it is worrying. My best friend had bleeding several times through her third pregnancy and all was OK. It is more common than you might think. I would still get checked out tomorrow if it were me. I am sure lots of other MNers will have good advice for you.

Thank you. Had a long lie today, so only been up jalf an hour. There was no blood on the pad I wore all night and when I went to the loo the discharge was darkish brown so I'm praying this is good. It's so unsettling. I never had anything like this with my ds.
In December I had a d&c. Could it be anything to do with that?

hello VMCD28, I just wanted to say that when I got pregnant immediately after a D&C i had several episodes of bleeding and have a healthy 19 month old DD today. They could never give me a reason but I always thought it may have had something to do with the D&C. Take care and try not to worry, though i know that's easier said than done.

Happened to me at 11 weeks, an actual flow, which then stopped after about 30 mins. Then I had dark brown blood mixed with normal discharge on and off for for two weeks. Brown blood is fine because it's old, and just needs to work its way out!

My midwife said that at about 12 weeks the placenta really starts to take over from your hormones to keep the pregnancy going. She thinks that my placenta, as it was attaching properly on to the wall of my uterus, burst through a blood vessel. Maybe that's what happened to you but it was a very small blood vessel which is why you're "only" spotting rather than having an actual flow ?

The other theory is that your body is trying to have a period - it's quite common to bleed at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks etc, apparently.

I don't know about the d&c aspect - I would ring your midwife (or even text her if you have a mobile number) just to get some reassurance. If the bleeding appears to get worse (ie light coloured/pinky-red again, dark brown is still fine)take yourself off to the hospital. They will take you seriously. The fact that you heard a heartbeat the same day all this started is a really good sign though, please try to stay calm.

I'm 21 weeks today and all is well.

I had about 12 episodes of bleeding between about 10 and 30 weeks with my second pregnancy. It was a cervical erosion and nothing to worry about. The medical people I saw were always very helpful and willing to check things out. If I were you I'd try to make an appointment to see the out of hours GP just to check and put your mind at rest. DS is now 5 months and there were no problems at all from the bleeding. My mw said it was always best to be checked.

Hope all is OK

Thanks everybody for the support. It does help to have your experiences.
Re the theory that its when my period was due, I had pale brown spotting at 7w 4d then again at 11w 1 day, which supports the theory, but that had gone back to normal before the pinky red episode last night. Could it still be the same thing? Also, why are hormones not high/balanced enough to stop the bleeding by now?

Re the d&c, I wonder how common spotting is when pg again - maybe things just still a bit fragile and sensitive? Ugh, it's all such a worry at this stage.

TMI alert
I had a "fish around" ten mins ago, and its all brown discharge inside, not red at all
I just can't seem to forget that my last mc was a lot of brown discharge with tiny episodes of bleeding here and there.

I have a scan late pm wed and I'm happy to stick with that unless things get worse. X

Maybe it's a mixture of the two theories in your case - but you'll never really know.

A girl I work with had periods for four months and they were so "convincing" she didn't know she was pregnant, and pregnancy tests were all showing up negative! Now a mum of a healthy little girl. Hormones are really funny things sometimes, and every woman is different. Why do some women get terrible morning sickness and others sail through, for example?

You've made it to twelve weeks and heard a strong heartbeat, that's a great sign. Please let us know what happens on Wednesday. If I were you I would tell them about the bleed, they should be checking everything on the scan thoroughly anyway but this will encourage them to check extra carefully. (That's what I did) x

Ok, for those who replied or those looking for advice... I had my scan yesterday and the baby is perfect. No known reason for spotting could be seen so I have to trust that all is ok. The wee soul was sucking its thumb, u could see its tongue moving too. Amazing.

vmcd28, we seem to be having the same issues during this pregnancy! I had blood streaked discharge 2 weeks ago, didn't have a scan, but got checked out and they say everything is fine. Happened again one day last week, and also yesterday. I have my midwife app today (I am 18 weeks). I also have lots of brown discharge. I didn't have this during my last pg at all, and I am just assuming it is one of those things. Glad you and baby are OK.

Also, I wonder if the fact we both have had lots of discharge of various colours has anything to do with it - is bit of a coincidence.

hi ladies iam 12 weeks and i too have had the brown spotting for a couple of days i also had this in the same week of pregnancy with my last baby so i havent gone into meltdown just yet,scan on tuesday so hopefully things will be fine x

Domesticgoddess, you're right, it's all strangely similar. Hopefully thats a good sign, iykwim.
It all seems to be such a mystery to the midwives, which seems odd. I guess we have to try to be positive that there are no obviously bad things showing up on the scan, tho. But anytime I see any discharge that is anything other than white, clear or yellow, I just find it so upsetting. Ugh. I've been using progesterone cream too, yet still had spotting, which concerns me a bit. Altho that might mean the bleeding is coming from the cervix rather than the uterus? Who knows? I'm thinking out loud, really. :-)

Yes, it is a worry. I went for my 16 week app yesterday, and asked her to double check the results from the swab they took when I went to the EPU after the blood, and although they didn't mention it, actually on my records it said there was a small amount of thrush which can cause dodgy discharge, blood, etc. So she suggested I treat myself for it. Have you been tested for it? I have no other symptoms, but it is worth a try.

ooh, thanks for that info. What can you use to clear up thrush?
Have you started treating it yet? Is anything any different?
I'm back to the clear/yellow discharge again...

I haven't actually got round to getting anything, which I know is really bad, but I just wanted to have a quick look for something natural (yoghurt???) before going to chemist. The midwife reckoned just the cream pessaries will be fine, but will of course check. I had bloody/brown on Sat but nothing since.

DomesticG0ggess, was going to email you, but couldnt.
I dont know what to do, if anything. I have read that thrush doesnt harm the baby, and will go for help if I start to show any of the uncomfortable symptoms, I think. After 2 MCs, I am just so nervous of using anything at all that could harm things, esp if that ISNT whats wrong with me.
I asked my midwife re the yellow discharge, and without missing a beat, she said, "Thats completely normal." No thinking about it, no asking me to go and see GP. So that made me feel better at least. She also wasnt at all concerned that I'd had light spotting and beige/brown discharge.
I'm TRYING to just hope all is ok, and I guess each day further on makes things a little bit better too.
I cant remember now, but at what points have you had bleeding/spotting?
Could it be roughly when your periods would have been due?
I thought thats what my problem was, but the pink streaks came at the end of a few days of brown spotting, when I'd have expected my period to end. All very confusing, but trying to stay positive.