Fear of Miscarriage

Updated on July 01, 2008
T.W. asks from Ontario, OR
35 answers

I"m 7 1/2 weeks pregnant and started spotting last night. Its very light but I'm afraid I'm miscarring. Any advice?

1 mom found this helpful

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

I went to the doctor this morning and the baby is not alive, stopped growing at 6 weeks. I'm going to wait for it to pass naturally if I can. Getting some blood work to make sure. Thank you all ladies for your kind words and encouragement. I appreciate it so much and it was so helpful. I will be trying again so you haven't heard the last of me!

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.B.

answers from Denver on

I know some light spotting can be normal, do you have an OB ? You could call them. Is the spotting bright red, I think that is bad. I really hope everything is ok.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.P.

answers from Omaha on

I spotted when i was first pregnant. as long as it's not a lot and it doesn't stick around for very long i think you are fine.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.D.

answers from Denver on

Call you doctor and try not to worry. :) I have a friend who bleeds every pregnancy, so there's really no telling what's going on without seeing the doctor.

1 mom found this helpful

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.P.

answers from Denver on

Spotting can be normal. I spotted throughout my first pregnancy and the baby turned out fine. But, to be on the safe side --- you should see your doctor.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.H.

answers from Boise on

When I was 4 weeks pregnant with my daughter I started spotting as well...enough to think it was "period-like". We were on the Oregon coast for vacation, so I couldn't get into see my Dr for a week. I was very concerned about miscarriage, but when I did have my appt. it turned out to be a small pocket of blood that was releasing...nothing to worry about!!
So definately see what the doc says, but try not to stress too much!!!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.I.

answers from Fort Collins on

First of all, congratulations on your pregnancy!! Spotting is very common in early pregnancy. I've had 4 miscarriages and one full term pregnancy resulting in our DD. With my full term pregnancy, I had pink and brown spotting from weeks 5 until 9 on and off. With my miscarriages, (I had them at weeks 16, week 6, week 16 and week 5) I would start to spot but the color was more bright red and then it would slowly get heavier. So, I would say to schedule an ultrasound with your doctor which couldn't hurt anyway because of you being over 35 thereby already considered in the OB world to be a little more high risk. This will ease your fears once you see that little heartbeat and the odds of miscarrying go down so much after a heartbeat has been seen on ultrasound (Don't worry, I'm 33 and will probably have my next at 35.) I'm sure it's normal and you will be fine. I wish you the very best.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.H.

answers from Salt Lake City on

Congratulations on being pregnant. I am 15 weeks pregnant and I spotted when I first found out. I called my doctor's nurase and I had to go in and have some blood work done. They just double check that your levels go up in a few days. Mine did and the spotting went away. I don't think it is something to worry yourself about but I would call and make an appointment with your doctor or talk to his nurse. They may just have you come in for the blood test over a 4 days. Good Luck!!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.D.

answers from Great Falls on

Hi T. W,
I will say a pray for you and family tonight. I know each pregnancy is different, but sounds like you definately want to consult with your doctor. When I was pregnant with my third child had some problems spotting. So one of the rules my doctor said to me take it get easy and stay in bed off your feet.

Sincerely,

Catalina S.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

O.L.

answers from Denver on

Definitely see your doc as soon as you can.

I'm not trying to be dramatic, but a surprising number of pregnancies *do* end in miscarriage. I hope this is not the case for you but when I lost a baby (my 2nd of 3 pregnancies), I found it somehow reassuring to know that it's very common. Shockingly common, like close to 1 in 2.

Are you having other symptoms? One of my biggies was that my lower back hurt. And I had cramping. And I knew, I just *knew* that something wasn't right. My u/s before had shown the baby to be about 2 weeks behind in development from where I thought it should be (my cycles are like clockwork), so they had me wait two weeks and then they'd re-check... and it was during that time that I miscarried.

Hang in there, try not to stress too much (*so* hard to do, but best for you & baby). I hope everything turns out beautifully for you. If not, feel free to contact me here... I've been through it, and it can really help to talk with someone who has been where you are.

Hugs & best wishes!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.W.

answers from Provo on

I had spotting from week 5-8 in this pregnancy, and I was so worried because I had cramping associated with it and it did not stop for three weeks! I would strongly suggest calling you doctor, but sometimes the doctor (in my case it was a midwife) can't really do much to reassure you, especially this early. An ultrasound may be able to reassure you if they find a heartbeat, but if there is a chance you ovulated later than you thought a heartbeat may not be visible yet and things could still be just fine. I would suggest asking for blood work. Your blood levels should be close to doubling every two days. At this early stage that would be the best indication that your pregnancy is going well. Spotting is extremely common though, and I wish my midwife would have told me that instead of worrying me so much.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.H.

answers from Denver on

Are you feeling any kind of morning sickness? When I spotted during the 8th week of my last pregnancy, my ob said as long as I was having "normal" preg. symptoms, I was ok. We had an early ultrasound just to make sure things were ok, and I was told to take it easy for a week or so, but everthing turned out fine!

Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.W.

answers from Boise on

Is there cramping with the spotting? Cramping and bleeding can mean miscarriage but also can mean implantation bleeding.

Call your ob/gyn's nurse.

I had heavy cramping and spotting around the same time in a pregnancy and just so you know, it was not a miscarriage, so I hope you will be okay!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.M.

answers from Denver on

T.,
Call your doctor. If there is a problem you can get help. If there is not a problem you'll know and won't need to be stress and worried anymore. Stress and fear can harm both you and the baby. Get some rest and see what the doctor says. I'll be praying for you.
J.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.M.

answers from Salt Lake City on

I had tha same problem with my third, and it ended up just being a small leak that my body later healed. Was a scarey moment, but ended up ok. I would call your Dr. and go in for an exam. Good luck to you!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

H.G.

answers from Denver on

Hi T.,

I totally understand how scary it it to spot that early in a pregnancy. It's more common than you think, and I did spot with two out of my three kids at that stage. The best explanation I got was that maybe there was a small tear with everything stretching, possibly caused by a tipped uterus. Consider this the first of many things that will happen as a parent that may be nothing, but will give you gray hairs with worry! For sure call your doctor to make sure that everything is okay, and I hope for the best for you!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.G.

answers from Denver on

Hi T.
I hope by this point the spotting has stopped. Often around this time of pregnancy (6-8 weeks) the placenta becomes the dominant organ for producing progesterone. This shift from the ovaries to the placenta can cause some spotting. If you are open, there are a safe and effective herbs that are helpful at this point in pregnancy to diminish the risk of miscarriage. Crampbark (Viburnum) is one such herb.
Feel free to contact me directly at Holistic Pathways ###-###-#### for more information. L. Golub, Clinical Herbalist.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.P.

answers from Salt Lake City on

Spotting is actually very common in early pregnancy. I know several people myself included who had some form of spotting or bleeding at some point during our pregnancies and everything was just fine. That being said you should still get into the doctor just to get checked out.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.G.

answers from Denver on

T.,
Because your 39 (not saying your old cause I'm 39 too) but because of your age I've heard the older you are the more difficult the pregnancy. So the best advice is to go and see your doctor. It's better to be safe than sorry.
Good Luck
E.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.A.

answers from Denver on

I had this exact experience around 7 weeks as well. I spotted every once in awhile, mostly brown spotting, but I did go to the doctor when it turned to bright red spotting (just once). Regardless, everything was OK. Don't worry, but do go and see your doctor if you have any concerns. It never hurts to be reassured!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.

answers from Salt Lake City on

Call your OB/GYN and schedule a check up. They can reassure you or help if that is needed. When in doubt calling the doctor is a good idea. Good luck.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.K.

answers from Denver on

I spotted with my last pregnancy after having had a miscarriage a few month earlier. I was freaked out of course. CALL YOUR DR. The first time they did an ultrasound and there was no sac just fluid as I had miscarried. HOWEVER, I have had friends who have not shown a sac and actually were pregnant, but not as far along as they thought. For the second episode of bleeding I went to the Dr. and they did blood tests to see if my HCG levels were increasing. Result was inconclusive because after about 8 weeks HCG no longer doubles but just rises slightly.
Turned out to be just a scare because now I have a beautiful baby girl. Just and FYI if they take your HCG levels.
In the end bleeding COULD mean miscarriage, but it could also just be normal (especially if it is light). If you have heavy bleeding with clots it is more likely to be miscarriage.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.S.

answers from Salt Lake City on

I spotted around that time with 2 of my 3 pregnancies - and one of them was more that spotting. Both times the doctor did an ultrasound to make sure everything looked good. It gave me some peace of mind. Also - if you are RH negative your doctor may want to give you a rhogam shot just to be safe - I had one both times this happened to me.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.M.

answers from Denver on

I agree with everyone spotting during pregnancy is pretty normal, but I would make an appt. with your midwife or physician.
There is also a great herbal remedy that I've seen work really well. It's called 'Carry On' made by Shonda Parker and Trilight I got it through www.birthwithlove.com but if you do a search there are lots of places that carry it.
Good luck and Congratulations!!
S.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.M.

answers from Denver on

go to you dr and he will either confirm or tell you exactly what you should do. it might be bed rest for a few days. so take it easy--no heavy lifting --that includes laundry and bringing in the groceries. you may just need a circlage. this is when they sew you cirvex closed to help stregnthen you down ther.
praying for you

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.D.

answers from Pueblo on

Hi,
you might want to check to see if there is no medical concerns. When I started bleeding at 8 weeks pregnant (I'm 7 months now), it was because I had placenta previa. So call your doctor and mention the bleeding. Dont worry, not all signs of bleeding means its a miscarriage! :-)

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.W.

answers from Salt Lake City on

call your doctor.

It's probably nothing. Slow down a bit - put your feet up more, take more breaks during the day.

fyi - spotting that early in pregnancy can also be a sign of twins ;)

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.H.

answers from Boise on

I had this and nothing happened. My sister did with not great results. Always call your dr. you are paying big money for this and if you are worried about something always call your dr. There is a lot of times they can't do anything but if they can you want to give them the chance.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.H.

answers from Denver on

Call your doctor NOW. If you have low progesterone levels, they can give you progesterone which can help to maintain a pregnancy. Please don't wait--call your doc now.

Not to scare you, but this happened to me with my first pregnancy, and it did result in a m/c. I wonder if I would have gone to the doc sooner, if it would have made a difference. Get in there and have things checked out--if for no other reason than to put your mind at ease...

G/L

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.B.

answers from Casper on

T.,
I just wanted to put your mind at ease and tell you that when i was pregnat i had bleeding right around 4 weeks and again at six. Mine was enough to make me belive that it was my period. However everything was fine and i now have a beautiful baby boy. However if it would ease your mind then don't hesitate to call the doc. Thats What they are there for. Congratulations and good luck!
M.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.B.

answers from Grand Junction on

T.,

This happened to me. You need to go to your doctor ASAP--they can help, or if something is wrong you need to know. If I had waited to go to the doctor when this happened to me I could have ruptured my fallopian tube and died. Really. Go.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.M.

answers from Great Falls on

Maybe allright, but to be safe, talk to the doctor, immediately! Let all be well, T. dear!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.H.

answers from Boise on

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

Spotting lightly sometimes does happen with a pregnancy. However, you need to talk to your doctor right away so they can make sure that everything is okay.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.B.

answers from Salt Lake City on

Congratulations on ! I had no idea how common spotting was w/ a successful pregnancy, but a friend two weeks ago (7 1/2 weeks prego) went to the hosp w/ spotting and cramping and she is fine, and I see lots of positive responses below. Talk to your doc, and a little extra rest and hydration couldn't hurt.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.L.

answers from Salt Lake City on

Hey T.-
I have two little girls and spotted with both of them. The first more than the second. We went to the ER cause I was freaking out and they had no explanation. At one point I read somewhere that something like 75% of all pregnancies start out as twins, but "laws of nature" make it that only one survives because thats what the body can support. Who knows if this is true, but that could be reason for spotting.
MOST likely though is that your placenta is attaching to the uterus! MEANING HEALTHY PREGNANCY AHEAD! Dont get too worried, all the change itself is enough stress. Still I'd call your dr about it, again, like everyone else says, if nothing else for your peace of mind.
Exciting for you and we'll all hope it turns out like the majority of spotting cases- no harm, safe pregnancy, and beautiful baby in the end! Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.D.

answers from Salt Lake City on

Lay down and take it easy until you can get to the doctor. It could be nothing (I spotted with my second baby).

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches