Spotting/cramping???? (TMI)

[Anonymous]

I am around 7 weeks pregnant and just started having VERY light spotting a couple of times today (barely noticable except that I was wearing white undies) and some light cramping. I am really scared this could be a miscarriage. I am supposed to go to the doctor for the first visit in a couple of weeks.

I am going to see the doctor in the morning to check things out. Is there anything they can actually do? Can they see the heartbeat (or lack of one) at this point?

I do not remember any spotting with the first baby. Very scared.

Thanks so much!

[Anonymous]

Search the archives here and you'll find lots of reassurance - I posted with a similar query in early June and there have been a couple of others since. Bottom line: tons of women experience spotting and go on to have perfectly normal, healthy pregnancies. In my case my 6-8w spotting was so heavy that on one day I was 100% convinced that I must have had a m/c (had one last year). Happily found out that I was wrong, the spotting eventually stopped, and (fingers crossed) everything looks good now at 14w. I can't promise you everyone has a good outcome and probably nothing will help till you can see your OB and get an ultrasound, but just know that this is very common.

[Anonymous]

My doctor saw the baby's heartbeat at 7 weeks and a couple of days.

Generally, I think if there's a chromosonal abnormality (the cause of almost all first trimester miscarriages) there really isn't anything they can do.

With that said, I think a fair number of women have both spotting and cramping in the first trimester, and it's not a miscarriage.

I personally didn't have any spotting (that I noticed) but definitely had mild cramping now and again. Take it easy tonight, relax, do something to take your mind off of it, and see what you find at the doctor tomorrow.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

ALso to answer your question - yes usually I think they should be able to see the heartbeat. WIth me they found it at 6w, but the doctor still left me pretty nervous until the spotting stopped and another ultrasound confirmed the fetus was growing appropriately.

[Anonymous]

PP here -- also, I forgot to mention that sometimes they won't find the baby's heartbeat at 7 weeks. You're right on the borderline there. So my guess is, if the doctor can't find it, he/she will have you come back in a week or so.

[Anonymous]

OP here - I really appreciate the reassurance. I know there is not a lot to do tonight, so I guess I will try to relax. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately to keep my mind off of things), #1 is really sick, so it is going to be a long night!

Glad to hear others have gone through this (successfully)!

[Anonymous]

I have had three pregnancies, two with spotting/bleeding. Unfortunately, the second pregnancy did not continue after the onset of bleeding. The third had two episodes of bleeding and I am now 20 weeks and everything is normal.

Good luck and try to relax (I know, harder than it sounds).

[Anonymous]

OP back - thanks for all of the positive words... unfortunately, looks like this is not going to work out this time. Saw the doctor this morning - did an ultrasound, baby in right place, thought they could see a heartbeat, but smaller than expected. This afternoon, I started passing blood clots and having contractions. Now I just have to wait this out.

I am feeling so numb about this, but at least I have my other baby to hug

[Anonymous]

I had the same horrible scare throughout the first trimester. I spotted (mostly brown, sometimes pinkish, one time red-tinged) at 3 weeks, 7 weeks, and 11 weeks. Each time I was terrified and prepared for the worst.

We saw the heartbeat at the 7 week sonogram appointment, and that was reassuring. That's a hugely positive sign! The worst is that the doctors say the same thing each time "there's nothing we can do."

Well, I am now 20 weeks pregnant and everything is fine...so hang in there....it happens a lot. I have another friend who spotted consistently throughout the first trimester until week 13 and then it just stopped.

[Anonymous]

OP .. I am so sorry. Hang in there and keep the faith. You're in my thoughts. I know how scary it can be firsthand.

[Anonymous]

So sorry to hear of your loss. I had a miscarriage last fall, we went in for the 1st appointment and they could not see the heartbeat. I know what a terrible experience it is. Take care of yourself!