Spotting

[Macki Moo]

I am 13 weeks pregnant and suffered a miscarrage last March when I was 10wks 1 day.  This time my doctor prescribed progesterone, 100mg in the morning and the same at night.  On Sunday after using the bathroom I wiped myself with loo roll and there was a very slight mucus with a bit of red blood in it.  I rang the medical service who told me to go to bed and rest and that since I had no pain it was often quite normal to have spotting in early pregnancy.  On Monday there  was a slight trace of brownish blood in the morning then nothing.  Yester afternoon I had the same thing again and today again nothing more than a slight trace of brown old blood.  I have received all my blood  and urine test results back as fine and tried to make an appointment with my doctor who is on holiday until next Monday.  Am I having another miscarrage or am I taking too much progesterone.  I still have no pain and I have been taking it really easy since Sunday. There has never been enough blood to mark a towel or my underwear, its only visible on the loo roll.

[trishna]

I am writing for a friend who is about 4 weeks pregant (first time) according to her last menstrual period and home pregnacy test. However, she never saw a doctor about it.  Just when she found out that she is pregant 2 days ago, she started to bleed and bled heavily during last night and now minor period like bleeding. She made an appnt with her primary care physician as soon as she found out pregnant, but its still 2 weeks away from now.

She feels that she must have had miscarriage and its over and doesn't want to go to ER for evaluation because she feels fine now and its probably over. Is it still recommended that she go to an Emergency Room and not wait for scheduled appointment with her PCP. Or, are there some signs to look for and then go to ER. Thanks

Trish

[Kevin Pho, MD]

If there is concern about bleeding, you should consider a pelvic ultrasound to ensure that another miscarriage isn't the issue.

If the bleeding is coming from the GI tract, an anoscopy or flexible sigmodiscopy can further evaluate the symptoms.  Hemorrhoids can be common during pregnancy, and should be ruled out.

Gynecological issues should be discussed with your OB.  Miscarriage needs to be ruled out first, and if the tests are negative, further hormonal studies can be done.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
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