Confused about brown "spotting" - please help!

[allip68]

I keep hearing that brown spotting can be normal during early pregnancy.  However, that is not what I'm experiencing and I'm hoping someone can HELP.  I am 6 weeks 2 days pregnant, according to nurse practitioner who did sonogram today, which also showed an embryonic sac and a heart beat.  I have had brown blood in my underwear for five days.  The first day it was heavy and looked like a period (brownish red in color and filled my underwear and then soaked a tampon).  It's been 6 days since and I still have brown in my underwear every day except the day after the first day (for some reason, no blood that day).  This does NOT appear to be "spotting" that I've heard described by others:  it doesn't just appear on a tissue when I wipe or when I go to the bathroom; this is enough to fill a panty liner.  

I also lost my pregnancy symptoms completely after the first day of heavy bleeding and I now have mild cramping.  

I'm going in for an ultrasound next Thursday so I will know more then.  In the meantime, has anyone experienced THIS level of brown bleeding, loss of pregnancy symptoms, and had mild cramping --- and still had a healthy pregnancy and baby?

THANKS.  

[momof32b]

I have often thought the same thing.  I usually try to follow up my posts so that it doesn't leave people hanging.  How's the spotting today?

[allip68]

Thanks and I will post - good news or bad.  I feel like some people on this site post their worries and then we never hear from them again unless they are still doing well...that makes me think that the ones who had problems usually miscarry and don't come back to tell anyone.  scares me.

[momof32b]

This is my 3rd child but after 2 back to back m/c's.  That's why I can relate to your worry.  I made myself sick w/ worry!  Please post again on Thursday after your u/s and give us an update.  I'm sure it will be good news!

[Helen72]

RE=reproductive endocrinologist or infertility specialist.  I guess your ob already referred you to one.
Good luck to you with clomid.  I hope it works for you soon!

[cangel1019]

i took a home preg test (clear blue easy) 5/29, i thought that it would have been to soon to take it. i thought you had to wait til you had a missed period. . I am sorry if i sound stupid but what does RE stand for? My GYN Dr has given me a name of another dr for infertility. But 1st he suggested that my husband be tested. Tomorrow we find out his results. I am just wondering if i should bother going to the GYN Dr. tomorrow and i forgot to mention that last month my GYN started me on a low dosage fertility drug (clomid). i have only taken it last month because this month i was all messed up with what is period and what was not.
Thank you for your input.

[Helen72]

Have you taken HPT?  Even if you are m/c your hcg should be high enough for a pregnancy test to pick up.  
Also, after a year of trying have you considered making an appointment with an RE?  They are much better than regular ob/gyn's about giving infertility advice.  They can do all kinds of infertility tests and help you get pregnant.  My greatest regret is not going to an RE earlier.  Good luck to you!!!

[cangel1019]

hello ladies,
i was reading all of your responces. I have a question about the spotting and bright red ect...my period came 18 days after my last period. It started out with the spotting, then the brown, then the slight cramping along with the redish brown, and then this weekend it was terribly heavy i was using tampons with a thick overnight pad and was going through down to my clothes. i contacted my dr when the brownish discharge appeared and he had my take a preg test which came out neg. i thought that it would have been to soon to take a preg test but do you think there is a chance that i could possibly be preg. I spoke to the nurse today because all this bleeding was scary and the nurse advised that there is a possibility that i didn't ovulate and this could be the reason for having a heavy flow. i told her this has never happend before and i want to make an appointment. i made the appointment for tomorrow and now it looks like i have a what i would consider a normal period . My husband said that i should keep the appointment and go because there is a possibiliy of a miscarriage if i am/was preg. Can someone give me advice or opinion since there is alot of similiar things spoken about. i have been trying to get preg for over a year and nothing so i need some input from women who have experienced these issues. Thank you in advance.

[allip68]

Thanks so much for sharing your expereinces.  SUCH  a relief to hear others with spotting and still healthy pregnancies!!!!  Sheri, sounds like yours might have been implantation bleeding, given the timing?  Mine is happening later.  But regardless I'm sooo happy for you three and feeling a LITTLE better.  There are some posts on the internet that are extremely scary.  No spotting at all today so I'm praying it's over.  I think I might have a hematoma, too....that's what the nurse practioner said it looked like it might be in my sonogram at 6weeks 2 days.  I guess the u/s this Thursday will tell me more -- and will hopefully say embryo (baby?) is growing and well. I will be keeping my fingers crossed for continued healthy pregnancies and healthy babies for you three!  Is this your first?

[Helen72]

I have been spotting and bleeding on and off since I was 5 weeks.  I am 7 weeks today and had an emergency u/s this morning due to heavy bleeding and passing clots and tissue.  The u/s showed that baby is still OK but I have a hematoma next to the gestational sack.  When you are pregnant lots of blood goes through your uterus and blood clots are not uncommon.  They can cause spotting or heavy bleeding.  My ob said that they may or may not cause a m/c.  If you are worried ask for an early appointment so that your ob keeps a close eye on what's going on.
Good luck!!

[Sheri1972]

I had a big "bleed" about two days before my period was due.  It was quite heavy, bright red, and had stuff in it that sorta looked like tissue.  I already knew I was pregnant so I was certain it was an early miscarriage.  I bled like that for about an hour and then it became brown spotting.

I spotted for 5 days like that and then on the 5th day, I had horrible cramping and back pain and passed something that looked like (TMI)...chicken guts.  I was again, certain that this was me finally passing a miscarriage, but I was puzzled because I would have only been a little over 2 weeks post conception which should not result in tissue passage!

My doc agreed it didn't sound too good, but did a blood test, and guess what?  Healthy little baby inside!  I'm now nearly 5 months along and haven't bled since that time, but it did scare me to death!

Sheri

[momof32b]

Aw hun!  I can COMPLETELY relate!!  I spotted from 5 weeks until 13/14 weeks w/ this pregnancy and sometimes heavier than others.  It's heartwrenching b/c you don't know what's happening.  I'm currently 32W today w/ a healthy baby girl.  Don't give up hope!!!  

[allip68]

Sorry, I just realized you only had a day or two of spotting this go around; lucky you.  I've had seven days.  Very worried.  Will keep you posted.  Thanks for checking in!

[allip68]

Thank you!  How long was your spotting this pregnancy?  I'm still spotting as of today.  It's now been a week - heavier in the beginning and now just spotting but it's still there:(  

[rdh1981]

I actually started out with very bright red blood a week before AF was due, I thought I was getting my period early. So a week later it was still there but brown, by this point I was pissed. So, I decided to take a test before I called my doctor and sure enough two lines appered instantly. I was shocked, because after a little over a year of trying this was the first time I had ever seen two lines.  I called my doctor that morning and they told me to come in an do a beta. My progesterone was low so they started me on Prometrium. They said this should help the spotting stop.  Sadly the spotting never really stopped. They did not do a u/s until I was 10wks and it was at the point I found out that my baby had died around 7or 8wks. My world ended I was screaming and crying so bad, they had to take me out the back door. Luckly my dh was there with me and he drove me home and I just cried on him for hours.  A few days later I had a dnc and was able to start ttc as soon as my levels dropped. It took 10wks before that happened. That is when I found this site and it helped so much to have people to talk to. I really hope your spotting is like mine was this go around, nothing to do with pregnancy just left over blood. My doctor did put me on bed rest for a week, but I decided I was going to take easy for the rest of pregnancy. Which luckly dh agreed it did and still does most of the house work. I still went to work, but sat down a lot which was very hard being that I am a first grade teacher. And if you can believe it or not we still have not had sex since I found I was pregnant. I am just to scared that it will make me spot. Do what's best for you, if you can have some wait on you then do it girl!! I will be checking in and hoping to see some great news for you!!

Rachel

[allip68]

Thanks both of you for responding.  This is torture, every day watching my underwear.  It changed a bit yesterday...only "spotting" as people have described it.  A tiny smudge in my undies and a tiny bit on my tissue.  Just now when I woke up I saw a tiny bit when I went to the bathroom.  This seems to be spotting.  Rachel, did your brown blood stay heavier or did it reduce to spotting before you miscarried?  I'm praying there was old blood in there and it's just working it's way out slowly.  In the meantime, I'm doign what your doctor say, Delma, taking it easy and no sex.  Congrats to you on your pregnancy so far!  Best of luck to you both.

[valleybabes]

I have had exactly what your are describing but mine was bright red and thats a worse sign...I just did everything the doc told me to do which was bed rest and no sex and here I am at almost 28 weeks.  My doc say things look good for me.  I would just wait to see your ultra sound that right there can tell you alot ...just relax for now hun....I no easier said than done.  Leave it in gods hands.

Delma

[rdh1981]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I was in the same situation about a year and a half ago and sadly I lost my baby around 8wks. But you are right about it being normal, many  women go on to have normal and healthy pregnancy.  I am now 37wks pregnant and I had spotting around wk 11 for about a day or two and it cleared up and turned out to be nothing so, don't give up hope!! I will keep you in my prayers. Believe me I know hard the waiting part is. All you want is answers and to know your little bean is growing healthy and strong. Unfortunately that all comes with the waiting, just know we are here for you and hopefully we can make your waiting a little easier and quicker.

Take Care,
Rachel