On this page we share the most recent experiences and advice of other mums who have experienced spotting and/or bleeding at various stages of their pregnancies.

To read other stories please click through to more stories

We hope that this page is providing support to you all at a worrying time. We are sorry that we cannot give personal advice but please keep submitting your stories, it really helps other women find comfort and to know that they are not alone.

Please let us know how you get on and if you would like to share your own experiences please email the site at: contributions@forparentsbyparents.co.uk

Your Stories

Hi, I wanted to share my experience with you, after reading and re- reading everyone's experiences about bleeding in early pregnancy.

I've just turned 30 years old and my first pregnancy was about 5 months ago, after we had been trying for about 9 months. We were so excited we told our families straight away but then I started bleeding at 6 weeks. It was a reddy colour but only when I wiped, we immediately went to A&E who then transferred us to the early pregnancy unit where they took some blood to measure my hcg levels. Rang up later that day to find out results- it was about 200. Were told to to back in 48 hours for another test, when the hcg level should have doubled. Bled again the next day, heavier with small clots and quite bad pain, went back to hospital and they said my cervix was still quite hard and closed which is usually a good sign, but that they couldn't be sure until I'd had the other blood test, so to come back the next day as planned. Went back the third day for blood taking, again I had to ring a few hours later for the results- my hcg level had dropped to 90- so it wasn't an ongoing pregnancy. We were gutted and were basically just left to "get on with it", no offer of advice or counselling. I cried non-stop for about 3 days but my partner was great and very supportive. With hindsight, during my 3 days of all of it going on, my boobs didn't feel as tender and I didn't feel as tired, so I guess my body was already changing back to it's pre- pregnancy state.

About 2 months later I fell pregnant again and we were over the moon but also a lot more cautious about telling people- we decided we would wait until 12 weeks this time. When I passed the 6 week stage without any bleeding, it felt like I had reached a milestone, which is a bit silly as miscarriage can happen at any stage. I felt reassured that most women who have had a miscarriage, go on to have a successful pregnancy second time round. At 8 weeks I started to have a bit of spotting, but this time it was brownish in colour, again only when I wiped. I thought it might be because it was around the time of when I would be having a period and it was likely to be "old blood" so I didn't worry too much. This was on and off for about 4 days but I thought better to get it checked out, after what had happened before.

Went to the hospital, this time because I was a bit further on, they arranged for me to have a scan in 2 days time. In the week that I had been spotting, I must say I didn't feel as "pregnant"- my boobs were still tender but not quite as full and my tummy didn't feel as rounded as it had done. I feared the worst when we went for the scan. Nothing could be seen on the normal scan so I had an internal scan, where they found it was ectopic. I couldn't believe I could have so much bad luck but my intuition told me something wasn't right. I was kept in hospital that day, they said I'd have to have surgery to remove it, and possibly my Fallopian tube too. As if it wasn't difficult enough losing another baby, I then had to have an operation. They were surprised that I'd not had any pain because the baby was quite sizeable, I'm just glad I went and got checked out when I did otherwise it could have ruptured and made me very ill. I had a Laparoscopy (keyhole surgery) where they made 3 small incisions in my tummy and because my tube was quite damaged, they had to remove it. It means my chances of having another ectopic are increased- this doesn't put me off but my partner is saying we should stop trying for a baby.

This is probably the worst thing he could say to me right now and it seems so unfair that because of what's happened, we should give up.

Maybe with time, he might change his mind (I hope!) My advice to anyone else would be to get checked out with any sort of bleeding- many instances turn out to be ok. Also, I would say that women's intuition is a great thing and usually right. Good luck to anyone trying for a baby!

Hayley

I kept reading the stories over the last few days as I started with spotting on Saturday. Not a lot just a little trickle and then it eased to brown spotting and very slight. I also had some discomfort in my left hand side and my abdomen seems huge for someone at 7 weeks of pregnancy.

Anyway I saw the doctor on Monday and was referred to the early pregnancy antenatal unit for an internal vaginal ultrasound scan. As it happens she tried to do an external one first and could see enough from that...phew!

There was a 9mm!!!! baby with a little heart beating away in a sac in the right place and nothing untoward. They couldn’t see anything that could have caused the bleed. It may have just been stretching or apparently the cervix can get very soft and it’s a bit like brushing your gums when they are soft and they bleed a little.

It was an anxious 5 days though and I was expecting an ectopic as I am 37 and I had discomfort in my left hand side. I am so relieved and I am now booked in for my 12 week scan…roll on another 5 weeks!

I know not everyone has a positive result but it’s nice to know if you have the same problem that it doesn’t mean the worst. And when I was at hospital another girl was there because of bleeding in early stages, so it’s obviously not that uncommon but it’s just such a worry. So good luck everyone and do get an ultrasound if you have concerns as it makes you feel so much better.

Erika

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