If you spotted during your pregnancy

[Blue Moon]

Please come and reassure me

I'm 6 weeks.  I noticed the tiniest of brown spotting on Thursday night.  I had an ultrasound Friday morning that showed a sac and yolk sac and all looked good.  I mentioned brown spotting to the doctor, who was not concerned.  It's not gone away though, and it's noticeable every time I wipe.  I literally hold my breath every trip to the bathroom, expecting the worst.  I have another appointment on the 14th, so I'm just trying to hold it together until then.  

[Deleted]

Brown is totally okay! Brown is old blood coming out, it's the bright red spotting that they worry about. If you start spotting more/bright red don't hesitate to call your OB, that's what they're there for. I had a bit of bright red spotting at 8 weeks, went to the ER, and everythng was perfectly fine. This kid is kicking my ribs as we speak.

It'll be okay. ((hugs))

[Cricket0619]

I know it's really scary. I spotted at 7 weeks and 10 and I was so scared. They didn't seem concerned when I called and just said it was old blood and if it was bright red and I was cramping severely to call. I'm sorry it's making you nervous. Oh, and mine was brown, but I was still scared and a constant wiper.

[megkat]

I also spotted early on, at around 6 weeks and 8 weeks. Same thing you're describing- brown, and there every time I wiped. Like the others said, if you just had an internal ultrasound, that can irritate your cervix and cause spotting as well. Possible TMI, but the one and only time I tried having sex during my first trimester, it looked like a murder scene after, and I spotted after both my early internal ultrasounds. I think maybe my cervix is just especially sensitive. Finally stopped spotting around 9 weeks, and everything has been great since then (I'm 22.5 weeks at the moment)

And definitely do not be afraid to call your dr- mine always said that what I was describing didn't sound concerning to them, and to call them back if it got heavy, turned red or if I started cramping. But it was nice to hear that from them!

[Blue Moon]

Jan 6, 2014 17:36:39 GMT -5 bricco said:

Still brown? Brown means old blood from what I understand.

I spotted a small amount early on (especially after my first appointment -- did you have an internal exam/pap?) and it was no big deal.

But if you are worried, don't hold it in.. CALL. They may be able to have you come in and do a sono or other exam to help you feel better. It's better to be re-assured than to be anxious!

Still brown, yes.  I had a transvaginal u/s at my appt. on Friday.  I thought that might have aggravated something, but then I remembered I first noticed the spotting before the appointment.  

I JUST had the u/s Friday, so I feel ridiculous calling and asking for another only a few days later.  I was anticipating this overwhelming sigh of relief after finding out it was an IUP, but that worry was instantly replaced with this new one.  I don't feel pregnant at all which I think is making it worse.  I tend to have issues with anxiety so I'm trying hard to keep it under control here.  

[Deleted]

I had a bit of brown and red spotting around 7-8 weeks and it turned out to be a small 1 cm subchorionic hematoma (small blood gathering). It resolved itself in 2 weeks. The dr said brown spotting is very common. I hope it's nothing!

[statlerwaldorf]

I spotted for about a week at 4.5 weeks and on and off until 8 weeks with this pregnancy. I spotted on and off when I was pregnant with DD too.

[Wonderwall]

Totally spotted also at week 7-8 ish. Initially bright red then brown the subsequent day. Nurse had me take it easy and hydrate.

Did a follow up US a couple days later and found a strong heart beat. Hang in there..

Not to be TMI but did you have sex? The cervix is soo vascular those early weeks from what i understand...

[Blue Moon]

Jan 6, 2014 17:46:16 GMT -5 megkat said:

I also spotted early on, at around 6 weeks and 8 weeks. Same thing you're describing- brown, and there every time I wiped. Like the others said, if you just had an internal ultrasound, that can irritate your cervix and cause spotting as well. Possible TMI, but the one and only time I tried having sex during my first trimester, it looked like a murder scene after, and I spotted after both my early internal ultrasounds. I think maybe my cervix is just especially sensitive. Finally stopped spotting around 9 weeks, and everything has been great since then (I'm 22.5 weeks at the moment)

And definitely do not be afraid to call your dr- mine always said that what I was describing didn't sound concerning to them, and to call them back if it got heavy, turned red or if I started cramping. But it was nice to hear that from them!

Thanks for sharing your experience!  I had sex last week and H told me yesterday he noticed a bit of brown blood after the deed.  He didn't tell me because he knew it was nothing and that I would freak. I'm too terrified to try again right now, poor H. 

[Wonderwall]

Oh one more thing.. do you have a fever? The nurse told me to keep an eye on that and if I kept spotting or cramping w/ a fever to call again and make an appointment to come in..

[Wonderwall]

Jan 6, 2014 17:52:32 GMT -5 Blue Moon said:

Jan 6, 2014 17:46:16 GMT -5 megkat said:

I also spotted early on, at around 6 weeks and 8 weeks. Same thing you're describing- brown, and there every time I wiped. Like the others said, if you just had an internal ultrasound, that can irritate your cervix and cause spotting as well. Possible TMI, but the one and only time I tried having sex during my first trimester, it looked like a murder scene after, and I spotted after both my early internal ultrasounds. I think maybe my cervix is just especially sensitive. Finally stopped spotting around 9 weeks, and everything has been great since then (I'm 22.5 weeks at the moment)

And definitely do not be afraid to call your dr- mine always said that what I was describing didn't sound concerning to them, and to call them back if it got heavy, turned red or if I started cramping. But it was nice to hear that from them!

Thanks for sharing your experience!  I had sex last week and H told me yesterday he noticed a bit of brown blood after the deed.  He didn't tell me because he knew it was nothing and that I would freak. I'm too terrified to try again right now, poor H. 

Deep breaths then.. that's probably what it is :-) Try to take it easy anyway for a little bit, sleep and hydrate.. that much won't hurt either way. 

[Blue Moon]

Jan 6, 2014 17:52:56 GMT -5 Wonderwall said:

Oh one more thing.. do you have a fever? The nurse told me to keep an eye on that and if I kept spotting or cramping w/ a fever to call again and make an appointment to come in..

No fever, and no recent sex.  No cramping either. I do have a nasty cold though, and TMI- have been coughing up a lot of mucus. 

[Blue Moon]

Jan 6, 2014 17:48:07 GMT -5 @missy1 said:

I had a bit of brown and red spotting around 7-8 weeks and it turned out to be a small 1 cm subchorionic hematoma (small blood gathering). It resolved itself in 2 weeks. The dr said brown spotting is very common. I hope it's nothing!

Thanks for your response.  Do you know how they found your subchorionic hematoma? Is it something that can be seen on an u/s?  

[Blue Moon]

Jan 6, 2014 17:57:08 GMT -5 bricco said:

Blue Moon - Do you remember which day last week? If it was Wednesday or Thursday, that definitely explains the first bit of blood.. and the internal Friday.. your cervix is just irritated. Nothing to be scared about. Rest and water!

I can't remember which day, but I think it might have been Wednesday. Thanks for the reassurance!   I've got my feet up now while H makes dinner  

[narockshard]

I also had brown spotting at 6 weeks and then more brown tissue/spotting at about 7.5 weeks. There was a little bit in the toilet and every time I wiped. I don't think it was caused by sex or anything but my nurse did say it was common to have a second round of spotting after a first one. It totally freaked me out too but we saw the tiny hb at 6 weeks to make sure everything looked good, and now at 16 weeks everything still looks good.

I also didn't feel pregnant the whole first tri so I know how much of a mind game it is. But try to be assured that brown blood very typically just means old blood and if you're not cramping either than you're probably just fine. You're not alone in your fear though, I felt the exact same way!

[chickadee77]

If you were spotting previous to your u/s, and all is well, the u/s may have re-irritated things. I had heavy, red bleeding for 3-4 days at the beginning of this pregnancy (and I still remember your kind reassurances), and so far, so good.

I understand the breath-hold every time you go to the bathroom - it's a miserable feeling and I'm sorry you're dealing with it. Hang in there, and hugs and hairpets to you.

[chicago]

It sounds like you have some good possible reasons for it, but I thought I would also chime in as another spotter in early pregnancy.  It was brown, light pink, a few different times between weeks 6-8 I think?  I'd have to look back at my notes.  Anyway, don't hesitate to call your OB.  The nurses on my staff have gotten this a million times before and it's reassuring to call them.  I was told to hydrate, relax, and keep my feet up.  

[pixiedust]

I spotted brown around this time. I also had a LOT of clear discharge, which totally freaked me out because I would feel it and think it was blood. Lots of trips to the bathroom to pull down my pants. Hang in there--as PP said, brown is old blood and ok.

[redpenmama]

Spotted with both pregnancies, often red. OB never had an explanation for it other than a sensitive cervix.

T&Ps -- I know how stressful it is.

[smock]

I spotted off and on from 8-11 weeks, and it completely freaked me out. It started two days after our first u/s where we saw a heartbeat, so I completely understand the feeling of relief at a good u/s followed by a ton of anxiety and fear.

The doc never did figure out the cause, but guessed it was a subchorionic hematoma, and everything is fine now at 19 weeks.

Hugs.

[Deleted]

Jan 6, 2014 18:00:45 GMT -5 Blue Moon said:

Jan 6, 2014 17:48:07 GMT -5 @missy1 said:

I had a bit of brown and red spotting around 7-8 weeks and it turned out to be a small 1 cm subchorionic hematoma (small blood gathering). It resolved itself in 2 weeks. The dr said brown spotting is very common. I hope it's nothing!

Thanks for your response.  Do you know how they found your subchorionic hematoma? Is it something that can be seen on an u/s?  

Yes, they saw it on my first u/s. My h and I thought it was another baby at first! Lol. Take it easy and get lots of rest and water. Good luck at your next appointment.

[catsarecute]

I had brown spotting on and off until week 13. My doctor was never worried. She said if it made me feel better that I should take it easy with sex and exercise but really, as long as it wasn't period type red blood, brown spotting wasn't a concern.
That being said, I can't tell you how much I googled it to make myself feel better!

[shelbyann]

I had brown spotting early (5-6 weeks) and a bright red bleed a bit later (8-9 weeks). Both were scary but baby was fine. Hang in there, spotting is really common and chances are great that everything is totally fine in there!

[Blue Moon]

Thanks to all who shared your stories to make me feel better. My mom keeps telling me I will worry about this kid for the rest of my life, so I better get used to it

[D2M]

Any update Blue Moon? Thinking of you and hoping you and mini-BM are OK!

[loira]

Ugh, I'm sorry dear. I'm sure everything's fine but definitely call if you need to. ((hugs))

[Blue Moon]

Jan 7, 2014 13:03:44 GMT -5 D2M said:

Any update Blue Moon? Thinking of you and hoping you and mini-BM are OK!

Thanks for asking, I'm hanging in there! The spotting is still brown, no better, but no worse.  

[starlily]

I had some at 8 weeks. I went in because I needed a Rhogam shot. Everything was fine with the baby on the ultrasound and the doctor didn't really have an explanation for the bleeding. I had spotting once or twice after that.

I went in for my first full exam today and this time my OB noticed a polyp on my cervix. So he's pretty sure it's the polyp that is causing my intermittent spotting. It shouldn't have any affect on the baby.

[picksthemusic]

Brown has been both good and bad for me, so take what I say with a grain of salt. First pregnancy, brown was fine and now I have DD. The other two times, it was bad news.

Please know I'm praying my hardest that this is your sticky/take home baby!

[winemaker]

I had spotting from the very beginning to around 10 weeks then it stopped. It was a pinkish brown color and the Dr said that was normal. If it turned red like period blood then it's time to be concerned. A few days later guess what it was bright red, but it was stringing mucus so I freaked out called the Dr and she said it was probably from us having sex recently. I just had my 12 week appt and were all good.

ETA since I had early on spotting they realized my progesterone was not doubling, I'm on medicine for that till 15 weeks