Conference moira::parenting

    
    First of all, congratulations on your pregnancy!
    
    I believe spotting during the beginning of pregnancy is more
    common than people know and it doesn't mean that you will
    miscarry.  With my first child, I had really bad cramping
    and thought for sure that I was going to miscarry.  9+
    months later, I had a 9lb 15oz boy named Nicholas! 
    It can be scary (as well as exciting) being pregnant
    for the first time.  You don't know what to expect, if
    the pain in your stomach is something that's normal or
    if it's something to be worried about.  You did the right
    thing by going to the doctor and having an ultrasound.
    As you said, the ultrasound showed the baby to be fine and
    your doctor said everything was normal.  Just get lots of
    rest and drink plenty of fluids and try (I know it's easier
    said than done) not to worry.  
    
    Best of luck at the doctors next week and please give us
    an update.
    
    Take care,
    Chris

I had some pink/red spotting at 12 weeks and I, too, was terrified.
I got out my "What to Expect When You're Expecting" and all my other
literature which basically said not to worry about it.  I was still
terrified.  I had no pain, no cramping, just slight bleeding.  We had not
had intercourse within 24 hours.  I called the dr. and they did an 
ultrasound.

The ultrasound showed that the placenta was slightly overlapping the cervix.
The doctor said this was most likely nothing to worry about.  In general,
as the uterus expands, the placenta would appear to "migrate" upwards.
They scheduled another ultrasound at 20 weeks and restricted my activities
slightly (no intercourse until after the 20-week ultrasound).  By 20 weeks,
the placenta was no longer anywhere near the cervix.

I've also heard tales of pregnant women having light periods during the first
month or two of pregnancy and going on to deliver healthy babies.  

Hope this is reassuring!  I can clearly recall how scared I was.  Good luck
and keep us posted...

    I had on and off spotting through the first three months of my first
    three pregnancies.  The first one the doctor said that it was and
    irritated cervix and with my second one I had heavier spotting off and 
    on for three months.  My third pregnancy I had a large gush when I was
    about 6 or 7 weeks which tapered off after about a week.  They told me
    that time that it was implantation bleeding.  I wouldn't worry too much
    if you are not having cramps.  Some women still have periods for the 
    first three or fours months and don't know they are pregnant because of
    it.
    
    Take care,
    Vickie

    If it is any reassurance I had a friend who had  regular periods for
    the  first 6 months of her second pregnancy.
    
    

    Hi -
    
    I too bled about the 10th week.  I bled for 6 days, I thought for sure
    a miscarriage since the month before I had had a miscarriage but did the
    ultrasound and everything appeared o.k. - Jade Nicole Cato - turned 1
    October 11, 1994. 8lbs 1oz when born and she's perfect! I'll keep you
    in my prayers.  My docotor had me on bed rest for 10 days. I did my
    10 days bed rest the bleeding had  stopped at day 6 after 4 of no 
    bleeding I  went back to work. 
    

    
    I'm another one to.  I started to bleed at my 6th week and that 
    continued for 12 days.  I was at the dr's office every other day 
    and was told the samething which was:  1 out of 5 woman have 
    miscarriages and there's nothing you can do about it.  They did
    an ultrasound and everything was fine.  I bleed to the point of
    having to wear maxipads.  It was pretty scary and nerve racking to
    say the least.  I had a healthy 7lb 1oz daughter.   From the sounds
    of it, it's not uncommon to have bleeding during pregnancy.  I've
    heard so many stories since mine.  I was told not to do anymore
    than my normal every day routine and no HEAVY lifting.
    
    I must say, it was scary but in the long run worth it.  I wouldn't
    trade Kelsey for the world.
    
    deb
    

    Ask your doctor how likely it is to have been implantation bleeding.
    I thought that between weeks 7-9 is when the fertilized egg implants in
    the uterus, and sometimes bleeding occurs with that.
    
    best of luck and good wishes
    

    I know how you are feeling.  I spotted several times in the first 
    trimester and again around 8 months, to the point that my doctor 
    pulled me out of work and put me on bedrest.  He wanted me to go
    5 days without spotting before he would let me go back to work.
    The frustrating part was I would get to 3 or 4 days and spot again 
    so I would have to start counting to 5 days all over again.  I ended up 
    being out of work for almost 5 weeks during my first trimester.  It was 
    very scary to say the least.   It was like being on a rollercoaster 
    ride and wondering if you would ever get off. I had to keep 
    reminding myself that the most important thing was my unborn baby and 
    to do exactly as te doctor instructed.  I also had no cramping and
    felt  fine.  My doctor also did ultrasound and found nothing wrong.  
    He said it could be any number of things but reassured me that it was
    pretty common to have bleeding.  
    
    
    It deffinately was all worth it and I would go through it all again
    in a second.  I now have a beautiful 8 month old daugter named
    Michaella Beth.  
    
    Good luck and hang in there,
    Norma
     
     

    Hello folks.  I am currently almost 33 weeks along in my 3rd pregnancy.
    My first 2 pregnancies were a breeze and I had no problems to speak of. 
    This one seemed to be going along just fine until about a month ago.
    Many things have happened (had a sinus infection, irritable uterus
    which caused some mild contractions, diagnosed with Gestational
    diabetes).  But - what I'm concerned about is some slight bleeding
    I've had 5 times now in the last month.  It's not really bleeding,
    but more like a pinkish colored discharge with an occasional streak
    of blood in it.  I haven;t had intercourse or any internal exams
    which could have caused any trauma to the cervix.  My doctor did an
    ultrasound and the placenta is fine, as is the baby.  He reassures me
    that there is nothing to be worried about. He said it is probably just
    blood vessels in the cervix popping and causing the slight bleeding.
    The pinkish discharge lasts for about half a day and then stops.  I'm
    trying not to worry, but it;s hard not to!  Has anyone else experienced
    this type of pinkish discharge in the last few weeks of pregnancy?
    Thanks.  Lila
    

	I had spotting in my 28th week when carrying my daughter.
	I was quite scared, as it pretty heavy when it first started.

	I had an ultrasound that day and everything was fine.  I
	was told the same thing as you - that is was most likely
	a burst blood vessel on the exterior of the cervix.  I had
	no dilation.  I did rest for about 24 hours (not full bed rest,
	just stayed home and took it easy), and the spotting slowed
	to the pinkish discharge you are experiencing.  It didn't fully
	stop for about 5 days.

	I had another milder episode around 32 weeks, and just the
	pink discharge around 36 or 37 weeks.

	I delivered 2 days before my due date.

	Karen

    Thanks Karen for your reply.  I haven't had any more discharge this
    past week and am trying not to worry about it.  I'm sure it is
    just what the Dr. said (burst blood vessel) but it helps to know
    that others have experienced something similar with no "problems"
    with the baby or delivery.  Thanks again.  Lila
    

    to Note 844.9
    
    I to experience this pink type discharge.  It was my mucous plug.
    I asked my Lamase instructor during a child birth class, she told me
    that I could pass pieces of the mucous plug until I deliver.  The
    cervix keeps replenishing the mucous.  When It first started I 
    passed a thick quarter size piece of the plug and continued to
    pass this pink discharge.  It was gross but eventually went away.
    
    Bonnie

    To Note 844
    
    When I was about 9-12 weeks pregnant I had bright red bleeding.
    This would stop the very next day.  I called the doctor he did
    an exam and found a polup on the end of cervix.  This polup
    would fill up with blood usually after sex, and break the next day
    giving enough blood to fill the toilet.  I was scared to death. 
    The doctor said this would either dry up and fall off by itself
    or he would remove it when I delivered.  He explained that it
    could not be removed then because it may be routed near the 
    placenta and he did not want to disrupt the preganance.  The
    ultrasound showed a healthy pregnancy.
    
    The Dr. also mentioned that the polup could continue to break
    through the pregnancy.  Every time the polup broke I thought 
    I was going to miscarry...  When I reached my 5th month the
    polup had stopped bleading or dried up and went away.
    
    The only other time I experienced bleeding when we came back
    from a vacation.  We had just gotten off the plane and when
    we got home I started spotting.  I dont know why but I attributed
    it to the altitude and the plane ride.
    
    Bonnie
    

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I've read all the replies, but I'm a bit confused.  What does everybody
mean by bleeding, spotting, etc.?
I just did home prenancy tests a couple of days apart, and both were 
positive.  I'm about 4 weeks out from ovulation. I just started mild 
cramping and bleeding today.  It is progressing exactly as my period 
usually does, started as brownish discharge, and now it's a fairly red 
slight flow. I'm guessing this is 'bleeding' as opposed to 'spotting'? 
I have a call in to the OB's office, but because I'm only maybe a few 
weeks pregnant I don't think it will be handled as much of an issue - 
more of a wait and see thing.
Can anyone clarify to what extent they bled and still managed to remain
prenant?  I don't know what implantation bleeding is - slight spotting
or actual flow?  What constitutes 'spotting'?

    Dear anon,
    
    I have a friend who had regular-acting periods for the first 5 months
    of her first pregnancy, and for the first 3 on her second pregnancy. 
    she had normal deliveries of healthy children in both cases.  Call your
    OB, regardless, it may be nothing, or you may be miscarrying.  
    
    meg

My mother apparently had what appeared to be full scale periods for
her entire pregnancies (4 of us).

So, there are some strange things can happen, but for peace of mind
the best thing is to call your doctor.

Stuart

    I had no spotting bleeding or anything for two months and then more
    than period bleeding for several days several times after that. This
    lasted on and off up until delivery.  Christopher is now 20 mos old and
    as healthy as can be.  No explanation from the drsother than the
    placenta was
    trying to detach from my uterus for no apparent reason.  From what I
    hear
    this is not  uncommon, my drs treated is as fairly serious and were
    very concerned about the implications to MY health.  there is no known
    treatment that I know of.  I've heard of LOTS of people who have had
    varying degrees of this problem.  My bleeding was so heavy I was
    concerned about my personal health, convinced that the child could no
    longer have survived....he was fine....go figure.
    
    Go see the doctor, an ultrasound can do wonders for diagnosis and peace
    of mind.
    
    Michelle

    I have had two miscarriages and two successful pregnancys.  I had
    bleeding/spotting on all of them.  It is scary and stressful.  With
    my two successes I spent the better part of the first three months at
    home taking it easy with my feet up most of the time.  Still there were
    days I had alot more than spotting.  Considering my previous history
    I was certain I was miscarrying.  I was fortunate enough to be blessed
    with two wonderful babies for which I am thankful every day of my life.
    
    
    I would definitely stay in touch with the Dr.  They may be able to
    do an ultrasound to identify why you are bleeding.   Then again...there
    may be no explanation other than "Some people do"...that's what I was
    told.  After the three months went by I had no problems with the
    rest of my pregnancy.  I wish you the best.  Try to keep a positive
    attitude and limit your stress if possible.
    
    Cheryl

    I hope this isn't true but, should it be that the bleeding is a missed 
    pregnancy....I was one who had several pregnancy starts but lost them 
    almost immediately. I had multiple infertility problems one of which 
    was my almost inabililty to produce progesterone.  An adequate level
    of progesterone is required to sustain a pregnancy until the placenta
    is fully grown, ~ 8-10 weeks.  Progesterone levels can be determined by
    blood test after ovulation.  If a person doesn't produce enough it can
    be controlled by taking progesterone suppositories or injections.  A
    doctor would probably not recommend this course of action until it was
    suspected a woman was pregnant and lost the embryo more than once.  Another 
    reason to suspect a progesterone imbalance (among other possibilities) is 
    if a woman has been trying to conceive with no results for more than 6 
    months. 
    
    Best wishes....

    For all my 3 pregnancy's I bled and had severe cramps right around my
    period date, but it lasted only 1 day.  Then positive tests.  I was
    told it was the egg implanting in my uter.  and that obviously I was
    very sensitive to pain.
    
    
    As other noters mention check with your doctore, it could be any of the
    things mentioned, and if they try to push you out because it's "too
    early" to set you up for a visit, my recommedation is to INSIST on at
    least talking to the doctor if your mentally going crazy not knowing.
    
    Beth
    

    	
    	This past summer I had a normal period followed by 8 days
    	of spotting.  I went to see my doctor, and his first guess
    	was that I was pregnant.  I knew I wasn't, but he told me
    	it was not uncommon, and he ran the test anyway.