Your Stories

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

Hello everyone! Wow, found this site really useful. I am now pregnant for the third time. I miscarried my first pregnancy, but carried my second to full term and she is going to be 12 months this week! In my first pregnancy, I started to get some brown discharge after 5 weeks of being pregnant. I then had a scan, but it was too early to see anything. I carried on with the slightly brown spotting/discharge until at 11 weeks pregnant, and following my fourth scan, the informed me that the embryo had failed to grow significantly and the heart never started beating. I then had to undergo an ERPC (evacuation of retained product from conception) and this was very hard emotional time. Needless to say, I did fall pregnant again, and now have a stunning baby girl. I cannot remember whether I had any discharge when I was pregnant the second time, but now that I am nearly 6 weeks pregnant for the third time, I again have the same brownish discharge. Of course, I am again very worried that I may miscarry, and have a scan booked in for next week to check the viability of the pregnancy. But as I read from another reader, this is natures way of telling you there would have been something wrong with that baby, and this is the best time for a miscarriage to occur. I am going to try and remain positive until my scan next week in the meantime.

Jo

First day of my last period was Aug,17,2006 but wasn't heavy until the 20th, so when is my real first day? so if I count the 20th as my first day then it has been 19 days today, now I am having light brown blood, my period isnt usually this early, so could I be pregnant, but if I count my last period as aug 17, it would be 22 days today, still a bit early? I have two other children with my last six years ago during my pregnancy I had some light bleeding at 5 weeks, and was fine, maybe I am just hoping that I am pregnant and are not!?

star

I had a period on a=Aug. 16th then three weeks later had bleeding that was pink for 1 and half days then red, could I be having implation bleeding

Stephanie

I started bleeding very lightly at 6 weeks, I went for a scan and was told that everything is normal and going well. The bleeding hasn't stopped and can be anything from brown to light red. Got another scan for 2 days time, will keep you posted. I've been told that pain can be down to dehydration and that bleeding can be anything and mostly non threatening to the baby. it's good to know tht it's not just me that's feeling this scared and that there is definately hope, good luck to all of you.

Joanna

Hi I'm 8/1 week pregnant, first pregnancy.starting spotting brown 2 weeks ago, then discharge , then red spotting.Today went to emergency with very strong abdominal pain and vry light bleeding, but when i wipe its a lot red blood and clots.I had my u/s twice now, but they cant see baby properly.Tolda me its early , come back next week.Im home and having pain all day, very strong.Not bleeding at all, only when i wipe.I dont know what to thing. Is that normal not to see baby properly at 8 weeks?

natasha

Hi, we have been trying to get pregnant for the past 8 mths. I did a home test 2 wks ago ( 2 in fact ) and both were positive. We were very happy. We went on a skiing holiday later that week. First time on the snow. I took some pretty big bumps but felt ok, no pain. We got home and 2 days later I started to bleed. Brownish colour, it lasted for about 5 days. I went to the doctor and he did an internal exam and said that my cervix was still closed and my uterus was still enlarged. I went for a blood test today to check my hormone levels and will go again on Monday. After reading some of these stories it gives me hope but I feel that because I have lost all sensations of feeling pregnant e.G. Sore boobs, I'm not pregnant. Just have to wait and see.

Shelley

Hi there to all you expecting mums! I am 34 and this is my 7th pregnancy!!! Ah! and yes i do have a television. I met my husband at 19 and I started quite young at 20 with my first, a beautiful baby boy after a 25 hour labour.Then two years later a lovely little girl with absolutley no problems through out the pregnancy or labour. I thought i was finished and had the perfect family boy and a girl. I then fell again three years later at 25, everyting seemed fine at first and then i started to feel run down. I had a scan at 12 weeks and all seemed ok, but i went on to miscarry at 15 weeks, which was absolutley terrible having to give birth to a baby that would not survive. We lost our baby girl and now knew the pain of losing a child. After 4 years and lots of grieving i fell again very scared and very anxious, checking for spotting every time i used to loo and thinking the worst all the time. We found I actually had Strep B with the 1st miscarriage, which I did not know about until then and had two children before with no complications. Other than that they found a polyp on my cervix that would flare up during pregnacy, i was watched very carefully by my consultant with many scans and a sighed a sigh of relief when i got to 20 weeks. I thought then it was plain sailing, how wrong could i be. My waters broke at 23 weeks and an infection around the placenta was found. I had to give birth to a beautiful baby boy who was too tiny to save. They gave us little option and said he was too small. I could not believe how unlucky we could be with very little explanation as to what went wrong. I lost again at 12 weeks two years later when the baby had died at 8 weeks and had to have a d&c, which did not work and i heamorraged a week later in spain. An emergancy op was performed and all was ok again. I really thought i have had enough now, and fell again this time it was successfull, but hard work, with scans every 2 weeks and antibiotics throughout, also injections daily I managed with the great help of my consultant to have my precious baby Daisy! She is nearly two now and just wonderful, and I am now 12 weeks pregnant again for the last time as hubby is booked for a vasectomy. I am having a scan today and am very nervous, but i must admit i have been less worried this time i just think what will be will be and there is very little anyone can do. We just dont realise how lucky we are when everything is ok.

Michelle x

I am so pleased to find this sight. I'm 7 weeks pregnant and began spotting brown blood 2 days ago, went for blood tests and vaginal scan yesterday which was all fine. today im bleeding more, with more thicker blood, not sure if they are clots though. Its so hard to be positive as i feel as if something is going to go wrong. But fingers crossed...

Lou

Hello Everyone! I am now 19 1/2 weeks pregnant. I last wrote to you about a month ago at 15 weeks pregnant. I had thought that my cervix was shrinking because my doctor told me that my cervix had shrunk about 4mm in a week. This freaked me out because I had spotting with pink/red/brown blood all at different times lasting about 3 1/2 weeks on and off and always light though. I was referred to a specialist to make sure that I was not in need of a cerclage. When I saw him the first time I had stopped bleeding the day before, he told me that my cervix was fine, just curved, making it hard for some less sophisticated ultrasound machines to detect. He then told me that my cervix was fine. It had not shrunk a bit. Since then I have not had a spot (knock on wood and thank the lord). I have now seen him 2 more times and everything is fine, I am having a girl and so far everything looks great! I will find out on the 28th if she is growing correctly when they measure her. I am so grateful and I already love her so. I wrote this to all of you ladies to try to comfort you in knowing that spotting and bleeding happens and does not always mean miscarriage. One symptom that I never had though was cramps, that makes things more complicated. Hang in there, let go and let god and the forces of nature. Fact is that babies are actually pretty strong, they are almost like a bacteria, they will do whatever they have to do for survival. Most of you all will go on to have a healthy beautiful child so do not worry, it is not good for you or the baby. Take care!

Nicole

I hope my story gives some reassurance if you are in later stages of pregnancy and experiencing bleeding. I started bleeding in my 2nd pregnancy at about 16 weeks, I'd already had a 12 week miscarriage in my 1st pregnancy so I was obviously distraught and though the worst. A scan revealed I had placenta praevia (or low placenta) which is a common cause of bleeding after 12 weeks. I was originally told this was common and the most likely scenario would be that the placenta would move upwards as my womb expanded. Unfortunately it didn't and I experienced several bleeds over the next few months; every bleed resulted in a 4 or 5 day stay in hospital. I started hemorrhaging at 24 weeks which started contractions off; a terrifying night in the delivery suite at the hospital with steroid injections to mature the baby's lungs ensued but luckily the contractions slowed down and stopped. Several period like bleeds later I managed to reach 34 weeks before hemorrhaging again. This time I was not so lucky as the placenta came away (abruption) and I was rushed to hospital for an emergency caesarean. However my baby was absolutely fine, a bit small but perfectly healthy and despite losing quite a lot of blood I was healthy as well. My daughter has just celebrated her 9th birthday and I went on to have a perfectly normal pregnancy the next time round. However much bleeding you suffer in pregnancy and however hopeless things appear, there is every chance that you will have a healthy baby at the end of all the worry.

Lisa

I'm 9 weeks pregnant and had quite a bit of bleeding for almost 2 continuous weeks from weeks 5 to 7. I had two scans during this time which showed a healthy baby but nobody seemed to be able to reassure me as to why it was happening or how long it would last. I experienced everything from bright red blood on the first day to light pinky coloured to brown stringy discharge. I went to see my consultant at the hospital just over a week ago and he was great - really reassuring! He explained that there are lots of very delicate cells in the cervix that sometimes drop down to the entrance of the cervix. These then fall off and bleed a little. On the way down they can mix with mucus and it can take a while for all of the blood to come out of your system. The next day it stopped (conincidence I'm sure) but I felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders as I'd spent the previous two weeks feeling really worried and extremely tired. I was also told that most miscarriages will cause sharp abdominal pain. I hope this information helps!

Anna

I'm 8 weeks pregnant and I fainted today I started to feel really hot and could not see properly I was holding on to the windowsill and I justlet go I had no strength in me to hold on. I wanted to know is that normal?

Charlotte

I am now 17 weeks pregnant, I started bleeding at 13 weeks and have continued to do so. When it started I was convinced I was losing the baby but the doctors and me were amazed that everything seemed well and the baby had a good strong heart beat. It has really been hard I thought the bleeding would have eased up by now but my midwife assures me the baby is right size for dates and it has a good strong heart beat. It is such a shock after my first pregnancy was so straight forward. I have however felt the baby move about once a day and just have to keep trusting that it will all be ok. There it seems are no answers as to why this is happening, so am just trying to stay positive. So frustrating though that there appears to be no literature written about this.

Lorna

I am 6 weeks pregnant. I went for an ultrasound on Saturday 29-07-06 and they did not pick any sack up, my uterus was thickened but that is all they found. I went to the doctors and he was certain I had an ectopic pregnancy so I was rushed off to hospital, the gyno was not worried at all, she suggested the brownish spotting could be due to the cyst i had on my right ovary. I had another blood test and the results came back I was pregnant, whoopdie woo I already knew that two positive urine samples and a positive previous blood test. So I had to wait yet another day for the HCG levels. Today I found out my level had decreased by half, the doctor from the hospital said you are in the progress of having a miscarriage, I called back and talked to the Gyno again she told me to come back and have yet another blood test. I have been spotting brownish redish for 6 days today was the lightest and I have very mild abdominal pains. Just wondering if anyone has any insight of my situation. The pain has not got worse nor the spotting.

Kristy

I am not sure if I am pregnant, but my period is very late, and when I went to the bathroom today I wiped a little pink (which was very light) and noticed some on my underwear. This has never happend to me before and I've been having my period for 13 years now. We are TTC so I'm hoping this is a sign of pregnancy.

I've also been feeling nauseous for the past few days off and on mow..

Nicole

Hi ladies, at looking into this site it really helps to know real life stories on spotting during early pregnancy. Im currently 7 weeks today & started spotting 5 days ago very light but lasnite after intercourse there were blood clots im going for my ultrasound today to confirm viability of my baby - Could I have miscarried? im really worried its my first pregnancy - I just want assurance its making me crazy - any advice??

Tofi

I am 6 weeks pregnant and I have had brownish pink spotting almost everytime I wipe, only a little on my panties. It's usually heavier after strenuous activity or when I am worrying. This has been going on for a week and I thought it would have stopped by now. What is going on? I am calling my dr. today to see if I can get in to get checked out. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Christy

I stumbled across your site and wanted to share my story:

I believe I'm pregnant, but I'm not going to test again for another month. I haven't had any bleeding since then. I know 25% of pregnant woman have unexplained bleeding, specifically in the first trimester, without miscarriage. So, I believe it's okay. It's great to see a site like this where ppl share their stories of bleeding. I wish I'd seen this website during those days when I was spotting/bleeding. And even now, it's a huge encouragement because I know that I wasn't alone. Bleeding and spotting during pregnancy can feel extremely isolating, especially when others look at you like, poor dear, she's having a bad pregnancy. But, it's actually normal in 1/4th of women.. so don't dispair!

KJ

Hi my name is Sarah I am 7 weeks pregnant 4 tests have shown I'm pregnant yesterday while at work I had a bit of discharge it was like a brownie colour but not real dark and today I have a bit of brownie discharge is this normal? I don't have any pains

Sarah

I am 5 weeks pregnant. I had a miscarriage at 8 weeks four months ago. My pain was intense and bleeding was like a heavy period. Now I have been bleeding for a week and a half, with light red and pink discharge the week before that. I just found out I was pregnant a week ago. I talked to two different doctors. One told me to schedule another appt. for next week. The other said a miscarriage is inevitable. I'm so scared right now because I have had a small clot pass. But no pain and still not very much bleeding. If anyone wlse has been through this and still had a normal pregnancy please tell all. I don't know if I can deal with another miscarriage.

Hello All, I am now 15 weeks pregnant and have had a bit more bleeding since the last time I wrote in at about 13 weeks. Some of it is brown and then a light pink, even copper reddish color once about a weeks ago. I went to the doctor again this weeks and she measured my cervix only to find out that my cervix has shrunk 4mm in that last week. I am now at 24mm and it is a bit concerning. I have to see a specialist in order to be examined to see if a cerclage needs to be placed. The reason that I share this with you is because the average women that are diagnosed with an incompetent cervix find out through a miscarriage around 18-20 weeks and are left only to prevent this occurrence on the next pregnancy. About 1 in 100 pregnancies will need a cerclage. Spotting, bleeding, or clotting could mean that you cervix is weak, shrinking, or possibly the mucus plug is failing. If you experience this problem just check with your doctor and ask about in competent cervix, especially if you have miscarried before, most doctors do not check for this condition.

Nicole

I found out I was pregnant two weeks ago. However I started bleeding two days ago and had a lot of lower back ache and stomach cramps. iam still bleeding lightly with brown jelly discharge but I have had a nother pregnancy test that showed positive. Iam at the docs after work so fingers crossed for our little bean

Rachel

I've been frantically looking for information on the web, as I'm so worried. Me and my partner have been trying for our 2nd baby. It is now 22/07/2006 and the first day of my cycle was 29/06/06. I am always very regular with my cycle, and so assumed I ovulated between 11th - 14th approx, and we had sex everyday for a week including these days. I've been keeping my fingers crossed I miss my period next week (would be due 27th), however yesterday I had a little red spotting in my underwear, which has continued but is not heavy, I'm not soaking a pad, but it is red no clots are passing. I've read about implantation bleeding, but should this be red? Plus its been 24 hours now. I had a miscarriage at 6 wks pregnant in January this year, but I had very heavy bleeding. And when I was carrying my first born, I did bleed fresh red blood, which would happen usually after intercourse, and the midwives said I had an eroded cervix. My son was very healthy, and apart from the bleeding everything was fine, however the bleeding didn't begin in my first pregnancy till 11 weeks. Could I still have an eroded cervix and be pregnant, or perhaps having an implantation bleed. I just dont know. This may just be my period arriving early. Does anyone know where I'm coming from, its too early to do a test, but I'm A resus negative, and when I bled during my last pregancy had to have an injection with anti d, after I bled, and this was topped up every 6 weeks, I'm scared if I am pregnant, and just bleeding as I was before, do I need this anti d again??? ...can anyone help?

Rebecca

I had a miscarriage 7 months ago at 22 weeks. I needed surgery to close my cervix and even though the ultra sound reflected that it opened up....the radiologist never put it in the report. I got pregnant again 4 months ago and was doing fine up to 3 months. Then one night I went to use the bathroom and saw bleeding...heavy bleeding. I rushed to the emergency and I stayed in the hospital 5 days where I bled heavily, even passing clots. Through the grace of God, my baby was ok and ultra sound indicated that twice.

It's now 2 weeks after and I still have spotting, not as heavy but it still there. The ultra sound showed I was clotting from the placenta. I am scared because I am due to put in Surclauge in 1 week and I hope the bleeding stops by then. I was on bed rest for 11/2 week and I have to be back at work. Please, can someone tell me if they have had this experience?

Jay

I am a mother of three children all born by c-section and have tested positive for a fourth child I am currently 7 weeks 3 days and for the last four days I have had a brown discharge mainly when wiping although today I have experienced a slight redness to this discharge went back to my Gp and he said doesn't sound like a threatened miscarrage but will do another scan next friday am a little anxious I have had one previous miscarriage but commonsense tells me that if this also ends badly hopefully not but if it does then that's my bodies way of telling me that their was something terribly wrong with our baby, for me I would rather know that now then to have the 20 week scan and find out that their was some terrible disability that would cause me to lose my baby after i is born Heartbreaking either way but it helped me to look at it from that prospective when I miscarried last. I hope you all go on to have beautiful healthy children.

Melanie Pritchard

Hi everyone, I am 8 weeks 3 days pregnant and its been a constant worry right from the start! I had a missed miscarriage last year I was 8 weeks symptoms brown discharge since the start of this pregnancy I have had the brown discharge but have had numerous scans which shows that the baby is growing great and a strong heartbeat. I went to the loo last night to find my pad soaked in blood I had to change my pad 3 times in 10mins I went straight to the hospital the doc gave me a speclum examination and removed a blood clot she said that my cervix was closed and couldn't understand where the bleeding was coming from?? I noticed that I bled after I had a orgasm (without penetration) I read on the net that orgasm can cause blood vessels to burst I have a scan tomorrow to see if baby is ok really worried and scared anyone else had this?? good luck to everyone xx

Michelle

Hi to everyone I am 39 I was told 15 years ago that I would not be able to have children as I had already had 10 miscarriages and a prematue birth at 26 weeks and I only have a period three times a year if lucky as I hav pcos, so i decided to adopt 11 years ago I have now found out that I am pregnant not sure how far I am as my last period was February 06, going for a scan tomorrow but have just started spotting with a light brown discharge not heavy went to hospital and they said every thing is fine but will see from scan tomorrow. PS great site

L

Hello everyone, I wrote to you last time about a brownish discharge and light bleeding during intercourse. I went to the doctor on Wed. the 5th. I saw the baby's heart beat and an ultra-sound picture I am now 13 weeks 6 days. She said that everything was fine and that she was not too concerned because it was light and brown. Also bleeding during sex is very normal because of the cervix softening. Of course since then I hoped for no more blood, but it seems as if my wish did not come true. While using the bathroom twice I have noticed that there is a very light pink color discharge after I am done. This only happens with the #2, but I really am not too concerned about this one. I think that the best thing to do out there ladies is just trust your body, if you have a general sense that something is not right act immediately. Also if the blood is red get checked out. Otherwise if the brownish/pinkish bleeding stops almost immediately after you see the first sign and does not return do not freak yourself out. Make an appointment with your doctor and check it out, once you are assured that everything is fine you can expect that real light bleeding after that is probably not a huge issue. Still make sure to be on the safe side if you are concerned, talk to your doctor.

Nicolette

I have just entered my 13th week to day with a little bit of disruption. My problem started last Friday the 23rd, I woke up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom, when I wiped there was some brownish discharge, kind of like a brown gelish substance. Then on Friday the 30th 1 week to the day the same thing happened to me again. Now it is Monday the 3rd of July and my husband and I were having intercourse last night and during which I saw blood, not much but enough to worry me. I have not had bleeding in any form during my period at all so far, not even after sex. I am worried, not worried (because from what I have read this can be very normal), unsure, panicked, and overall just scared. I lost a pregnancy before about 8 years ago. I have an appt on Friday with the doctor and will let you all know what happens.

Nicolette

I am 6.5 weeks pregnant and have recently experienced some bleeding and cramping. Sometimes the bleeding is red, and comes as a gush and sometimes it is rusty colored and sometimes it is brown. I have been cramping the whole time I have been pregnant and the cramps have been mild. I went in earlier this week for a blood test and an ultrasound, everything came back great, we saw the baby's heart beat. My doctor told me to take it easy for the next 2 weeks, no sex, no exercise etc. That was a couple of days ago and I am still bleeding. I have another appointment in 2 weeks to check on the baby and the bleeding. She also said that 25% of women bleed during their pregnancies, for no apparent reason.

Alicia

I am 4 weeks and 3 days pregnant right now. I did several home pregnancy tests last week and they were all positive. At 4 weeks - 1 day before we went to bed I noticed a brownish discharge on the toilet tissue and so put a pad on. I was devastated as I had no problems with our first little boy but had a little boy who was still born last year. We have been trying to get pregnant now for about 10 months. The next morning the discharge had stopped and so I was just taking it easy and hoping for the best. But that evening (4 weeks) I started to bleed, still quite brown, but the consistancy and amount of the start of a period. I was convinced at this point that our hopes had been dashed again. But the next morning (4 weeks + 1 day) I reallised that nothing else had happened and the bleed had lasted a matter of hours. Again we were back to thinking that everything might just work out. I saw my GP yesterday (4 weeks & 2 days) and he did a urine test which was positive. He has also taken a blood sample which I will only get back tomorrow. I am due to see my consultant on Thursday morning anyway (as a follow up because I was not getting pregnant). I am hoping she will organise an early assessment scan to check why I bled in the first place. My husband has practically naled me to the sofa and forbid me to go to work and we are just hoping for the best. Can't believe how common stories like this are. Will keep you posted on how this pregnancy progresses.

Louise

I'm was 6w2d when I starting bleeding. There was a small clot and I went to the emergency room. My Hcg level showed I was pregnant but could not find a sac or yolk with U/S this is my 4th pregnancy and I'm really nervous about my situtation. I'm waiting for second test results to come back.

Tanya

My story doesn't exactly fit the criteria, but as I believe if I share it, I might get some moral support, I am sharing it with all of you. if some body thinks they can advise me regarding my dilemma, please do so,as it could be a life saver. I am in a great agony.

Najma

I was on 11 weeks (last week) and expecting twins, when I had quite a bit of bleeding, it was light red and not as much as a period but more than spotting, followed by blood clots a bit later. I went to the A and E hospital (UK), as I had been advised to by the midwife and my emergency GP, and was eventually given an internal examination by a casualty doctor. He told me my cervix was open and in his opinion it would be certain that we’d lost the babies. We waiting another three hours for confirmation from the gynaecologist. She said the cervix was now closed and not wanting to get the first doctor in trouble (I guess) said it was strange to have an open cervix then close, and cannot comment on whether the babies would survive. It was a terrible night, the NHS were supposed to phone the next morning to arrange a scan but didn’t, so I decided to go for a private scan and finally found out that the babies were both fine with heartbeats and moving around.