LJ, how are things going? All the best for a helpful and reassuring appointment tomorrow. I'll be thinking of you.

Just a quick update: got back from the midwives and got to hear little Pip (as we're calling this one) on the doppler! Nice heartbeat in the 160s, and I'm hugely relieved. I figured things were fine since I still don't feel great, but it's always good to have that confirmed.

And I've also gained three pounds in four weeks, eep! Guess all those days of lying around eating carbs are catching up with me... but the midwife was at least happy that I'm able to gain some weight, what with the Zofran and all. I'm hoping once I can get back to working out and eating vegetables that will prevent me from gaining too much weight.

Anyway, hope you're all well!

Poppy

Hang in there, LJ! keep us updated and let us know if you need anything!

So sorry to hear about this, LJ! I hope you were able to relax some, and that you're feeling a bit better now. Good luck at the OB tomorrow, hopefully that will bring some answers and peace of mind!

-Interloper

PP here. The appointments were a week after the ER scared me to death and put me on bedrest. I would rest as much as you can as that did seem to help.

I think the fact that it has slowed down is a very good sign. I had a similar incident two weeks ago at 11 weeks and things seem fine now. I had appointments with 2 ob-gyns (high risk and regular) and neither was concerned about it and said it's common.

Thanks for the support everyone!

I was really hoping that the bleeding would just stop but it came and went for the rest of the weekend, though at a much lighter rate than the initial time. More like spotting. I have an OB appointment tomorrow and am hoping to get a much more in depth look at what might be causing this. Still very worried - I am so stressed out! Still no cramping though and I am hoping that even though the bleeding is still happening, it is a good thing it is not getting worse.

Pumpkin here, oh my goodness, LJ, that sounds really scary and I am so glad that everything checked out okay. I remember reading something like 1 in 3 women, or something like that, experience unexplained bleeding during their pregnancy. This is something that happened to a friend of mine with her first, (completely unexplained and moderately heavy bleeding - probably around 9/10 weeks?) and it all ended up being okay.

How interesting to learn that heat can exacerbate bleeding. I would have been one more voice advising you to take a nice long soak. Maybe you can put your feet up and make DH / partner rub them instead?

Sepi here, LJ, actually, I would AVOID a hot bath. Heat increases bleeding. Just sit back and try to relax.

I'm so sorry to hear about your scare, LJ! I'm glad you got best-case scenario news but still, not at all what you want to go through. Take good care of yourself--and jindc's recc of a hot bath is excellent advice--and I'm sending good thoughts your way.

Poppy

LJ, sepi here. I've had a pretty bloody pregnancy (sorry to be so blunt!). Apparently I have something called a subchorionic hematoma, really just a blood clot. It causes unexplained bleeding. its not always easy to catch on a sonogram either. It's not all that uncommon, but I can tell you,it is VERY scary. Mine started at seven weeks and has been off and on, Im now almost at 14 weeks! I've always been pretty active too, and although my doctor didn't say to stop necessarily with my activity, he told me to not do weights, and I'm refusing to do much more than walk until the thing stops for a decent length of time. Don't take any tylenol or anything that may thin your blood, and make sure to drink tons of water! Try to relax, eat some good food, and enjoy the rest of your vacation. Good luck!

Oh no LJ! I am so sorry!

Please take it easy. If you haven't, a warm bath does wonders. I felt like crap yesterday after all my drama and a bath made me feel so much better.

Seeing the baby and a high hcg are good!

I am so sorry this is happening on your vacation

LJ here.

I had a scare last night. We are in CA on vacation and I did some hiking/climbing yesterday that was far more strenuous than I expected - about five hours in total. A few hours later, I started bleeding. A moderate to heavy amount at first, then it tapered off but is still going now, about 15 hours later. No cramping or any other symptoms.

I called the doctor on call and figured they would tell me just to wait and see, but they said to go to the ER.

I had to find an ER out here and it was not a fun experience. Probably most depressing ER I have ever been in.

The best case scenario, which isn't great, is what happened though. Essentially it is unexplained bleeding. Baby looked totally fine on the sonogram and blood tests showed my hcg levels are high, probably peaking (110,000)

Everything looked normal so there is really nothing to be done now. Which is better than the worst-case-scenarios that were running through my head. So scary!

The doctors said that the strenuous activity shouldn't have caused it, but I still feel like it could be related since it started like 2 hours after that activity and there seems to be no other explanation. I am just sort of hoping that was it and that this will be the end.

Not a fun way to spend the last few days of vacation!

Agree with ^^. On the IVF forum I frequented, most women with few risk factors were released once a heart rate was detected. For the record, the nurse still answered my questionss, made sure I had an OB appointment scheduled, and still checks in with me. Just want to make sure the correct info is posted.

Anonymous wrote:Wow that is SUPER early to be released. Most REs at least keep you until 10 weeks.

I don't think that's true. I had a different RE (and different practice altogether) than JinDC and was released after we saw the HB at 8 weeks. It probably just depends on your risk factors.

jindc, so glad to hear the appointment went well! Yay! Not so much for throwing up again today though. Ugh. Believe me, between this pregnancy and the first one, I think I've thrown up enough for multiple lifetimes, so I'm right there with you. So many weird things happen with pregnancy, it does seem to be part of the deal.

What, you mean there are Jewish holidays other than Hanukkah? ;^)

Interloper, very glad you called your OB and got some reassurance! That's part of what they're for. I always hesitate to call over something I think I'm overreacting about, but then I remind myself that they're well accustomed to fielding these sorts of questions.

Poppy