Saturday, November 10, 2007

help and tmi

So...traumatic week...hanging on by a thread. We had blood Thursday night. This may be TMI for some, so stop reading if you need to; otherwise, I need my wise internets. A gush of bright-red blood. Not spotting, but not full-on period either. 3 wipes worth. Lasted an hour tops. No cramps. One very tiny 'clot' kind of tissue. I can't find much info that helps. I KNOW it could be nothing, but emotionally I can't wrap my head around it all. I had to leave school yesterday, couldn't hold it together. Needed to sleep and watch Little House on the Prairie (my favorite sick-day show - I love that french horn theme). RE's office says they can't do anything. Had previously scheduled u/s for Nov. 19th - that's when they'll see me next. I asked for a beta to see if anything has plateaued, nurse said it might not show us anything but I went today anyway. Nov. 19th seems soooo far away. ugh.

This was supposed to be the fun part. It's not fair. I've worked so hard to get here, I just want it to be easy.

*C's update:
The beta came back "normal" for where S. is in the pregnancy. We know this doesn't mean everything is normal, but it was very reassuring to know that something drastic had not necessarily happened. We're jittery but better and I'm sure the next week and a day will drag on to no end. Thanks, oh pregnancy sages, for your wise advice and encouragement!

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

i don't know anything about this but am hoping for the best and sending you lots of love!

Anonymous said...

The rules are:

bright red that a) doesn't fill a pad every hour, b) doesn't fill a pad a pad every hour and stops within 24 hours is c) probably okay, a breakage of a blood vessel due to the uterus expanding.

Bright red that doesn't stop or fills more one pad in less than an hour - hie thee to your doctor/ER for a wanding.

Bright red that's slow and turns to brown within 24 hours, again with the random bleed and is probably okay.

Overall it sounds like just some minor bleeding. If you're not in pain it's most likely just typical uterine stuff - and as I've found out, a lot of things that "some women might experience in the first trimester" seems to be more like "this is what's going to happen, this part's normal".

I've had bleeding twice for no particular reason, at 6w and 12w, both with clotty bright red for about 2 days that then went to brown sludge and crumbly bits for the next 8-12 days.

I would recommend pelvic rest - that means no sex and no orgasms for a little while. Strong uterine spasms can also make you bleed when pregnant (which sucks when sex is the only thing you want, and you become a little obsessed...or maybe that was just me...).

If you're really panicking, please don't hesitate to go to the ER. I know it can be expensive, but it's worth it for your peace of mind, and honestly, as you go along, the panic and fear does ease somewhat. If it makes you feel any better, check out Akeeyu, who's having the pregnancy from hell (now with less anemia!) at herveryown.typepad.com

Anonymous said...

Eek. I know nothing about this, but it looks like you're getting good advice. Doesn't sound like much and resting up seems sensible to me. Hoping hard that everything is just fine. Hang in there.

aspiring baker said...

I am sorry to hear you are concerned. Believe me, I have been there and I understand.

I have had two miscarriages. The first time, I began spotting very, very lightly (dark brown) at 7 weeks; it continued and increased until I miscarried. The second time, I had brief spotting (bright red) at 6 weeks. Both times, my 7-week ultrasound showed underdeveloped embryos with slow heartbeats. The first time I miscarried naturally the night before my scheduled D&C, and the second time I never had spotting again until after the D&C.

It is possible this pregnancy will not succeed, AND IT IS JUST AS POSSIBLE it will be fine. Half of women who spot have healthy pregnancies. And about a quarter of pregnancies miscarry. That means you have a 75 percent chance of having everything be okay.

Other signs of miscarriage are: decrease in pregnancy symptoms (loss of breast tenderness, etc.), cramps, and of course the spotting. Your HCG level should indicate something as well.

I realize your RE's office can't do anything, but the one thing they can and should do for you is have you come in earlier for an ultrasound. They may not be able to see anything, but wouldn't the possibility be enough to help you feel better?

Again, I'm so sorry you are going through this. Hang in there.

tbean said...

hang in there guys--I've read on dozens of blogs that spotting can be a big nothing--that's what I hope for you SO SO much

Jennifer said...

i know it is scary and hard, but its okay. On my beta day I got the call with my number and two hours later, bleeding. I freaked out and called my dr. and they told me to r-e-l-a-x and said 8 out of ten panic calls they get are from spotting women. It happens A LOT to MANY MANY women. It is so freeking scary, I know. But it happens a lot. And after al the sh*t you've gone thru, it would be nice to not have to deal with this sorta stuff. But it will be okay.

By the way, I am a HUGE LHOTP fan! I have all seasons on DVD. I even did the whole Little House detour on a cross country trip years back. SO comforting, that show.

Anonymous said...

OMG that is so scary, guys. I'm glad there are so many smart people commenting on this. I had a scary dream last night that involved Sylvia Plath-losing-her-virginity amounts of blood. I still have that panicy feeling from my dream. I know, TMI on my part, too. I hope everything is ok. It sounds, from the comments, that there is a good chance that it will be. I wish I could hug you.

CD and SP said...

thank you for your reassuring comments. they unfortunately did NOT move the ultrasound up, but betas were "normal" today. again, that doesn't necessarily mean everything is normal, but it is reassuring. THANK YOU!!!!!

Unknown said...

I am sorry for the scare. I am sure everything is okay... but understand why you are scared. Keep us posted on how you are doing.

Unknown said...

Best of luck to you guys. I am glad you got a little reassuring news. Keep us all posted.

None said...

I am so sorry about the scare. As others have said, this early in a pregnancy things can certainly go wrong... with or without spotting/bleeding. But about half the time, bleeding turns out to be nothing. And it's good that you had no cramps with it. Cramps and red bleeding would've been a much worse sign, as I'm sure you know.

Lots of women have bleeding/spotting and go on to have healthy pregnancies. My friend who shares my Dec. 6th due date had bleeding and spotting on and off during her first tri. Her betas and hormone checks and u/s's were always fine though. I am going to her baby shower today. So, the bleeding didn't spell doom in her case.

I had spotting myself. It was terrifying but it was just for one day, but my little Flipper is thriving.

So glad you got a good beta. I'm thinking of and praying for you gals.

Unknown said...

I'm not going to repeat anything here, but I want to send my good thoughts and wishes that things just settle down and you can settle in to enjoy this pregnancy very soon.

Jennifer said...

You know, pregnancy for me was the 40WW. I relaxed during pretty much NONE of it. I did countdowns to each appt, which luckily were frequent, since I had twins. I felt like that blissful pregnancy was stolen from me.

My point is, I know you are nervous. But maybe this is a good trial by fire: You can experience random weird bleeding and feel assured that al is fine. Hormones are coursing thru yr body. SO much is going to happen to make me feel worried. I've had two m/c and both times my betas indicated it right away (I was being monitored so I was in a lot for b/w). And all the blood and cramps and "weird feelings" and disappearing symptoms and oh-no-my-breasts-aren't-sore-anymore meant nothing.

This should be a wonderful time for you both! I hope you can get a little of taste of it! Don't you wish you had a sonogram machine at home? I swear I would have walked around with that wand in me if I could!

gold star said...

Hey there - i'm late on the uptake here.

What a crappy welcome to your first trimester, guys.

But I want to echo others - very very good chance that all is well and baby is growing away.

Our doc also told us that spotting/brief bleeding is way, way common and almost always things are just fine.

hang in there.

Dr. Grumbles said...

Well, from my own experience and the many blogs I have read, it trult could go either way. I really hope your is one of the ones that turns out ok.

Anonymous said...

All body parts crossed here that you have a fabulous u/s...you have to update soon after it...

Holly said...

It sounds from the beta that things are okay.
I don't think spotting is all that unusual, they usually tell you to be concerned when you have strong cramping pains along with it.

I am holding you in our thoughts for a stressfree 9 months. The kid will stress you out plenty after that.

Margo, darling said...

Any updates? Is everything okay? I'm worried about you, and sending good thoughts.