Brown spotting at 5 weeks - trying to... - Fertility Network UK

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Brown spotting at 5 weeks - trying to stay calm

orangecatmum profile image
30 Replies

Hi all,

I know it can be so common and normal but this morning I've had a fair bit of brown when I wipe. I had a tiny bit last week around implantation (this is an IVF pregnancy) so I was surprised to see more today. I don't think it could still be implantation now? Today I am literally bang on 5 weeks (or 16dp5dt) so it's very, very early days.

I've also had some light cramping - not as bad as last week during implantation, but lots of twinges across my whole pelvic region and lower back, sort of how I feel when my period is ending and my uterus is trying to 'clear out', as it were. Yesterday I had a lot of tightness in my uterus area after coughing a lot (I've caught a cold, classic!) which made me worry a bit.

I'm trying to stay as calm as possible but my miscarriage last year started with a pink gush of fluid, so my awareness is impossibly high! Every sensation in my body I am second guessing and wondering if it's the beginning of the end.

Going to the toilet and seeing blood is incredibly triggering and I just can't help but worry, but then also this voice in my head is like 'stop being so ridiculous!' Just dreading seeing it turn into fresh blood.

Have many people had this at such an early stage and did it work out OK?

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orangecatmum
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30 Replies
NemoFish profile image
NemoFish

I had bright red and brown bleeding every day from weeks 5 to 8, that pregnancy is now an almost 9 week old baby girl. It is terrifying and I was in a right state when it happened, but it’s more common than we realise and absolutely doesn’t have to mean anything sinister. If it’s still happening you should be able to get a scan with your EPU from next week. Appreciate that feels like an eternity to wait but it’s worth getting in touch x

orangecatmum profile image
orangecatmum in reply toNemoFish

Thank you - I'm so so glad it worked out for you! It is really alarming isn't it. I can't help but think this is the beginning of the end for me but I know that's the wrong thing to assume, too.

NemoFish profile image
NemoFish in reply toorangecatmum

I had an early loss at 5 weeks that started with bright red blood so I was definitely assuming the worst when it happened again. There’s no easy way to get through it, just have to take it day by day until you can get some reassurance. Fingers crossed for you xx

orangecatmum profile image
orangecatmum in reply toNemoFish

This is the thing, there really is no easy way to get through it. Every minute, every second is agonising! Ha. And thank you <3 xxx

Kitkat10 profile image
Kitkat10

I did between 4- 5 eeeks, I had spotting pink and red blood. I was terrified but it turned out to be little haematomas in the lining which they saw at 7 weeks. They said sometimes the blood is seen red or you resorb it and don’t see blood, or you pass older blood which is brown.

After 6 weeks the spotting stopped and never came back and my little girl is now 4 weeks old. The nurse at the EPAU said that spotting of any colour was very common at this stage. I was distraught so I understand how you feel and I hope it resolves and you have a smooth ride from now on 🍀🍀

orangecatmum profile image
orangecatmum

Thank you for sharing your experience - I'm so so glad it worked out for you. And that bit of explanation is really interesting - it's mad how the body works isn't it!

I'm so glad it all worked out for you, it must have been terrifying at first but you got through it... and hopefully I can do the same!

Millbanks profile image
Millbanks

Hello sweets,

This is really common - try not to worry too much.

I think if you got implantation bleeding last week then it could very likely be the embryo embedding deeper in - they do continue to do this for a few weeks.

Otherwise it could be a haematoma which are annoyingly common in IVF pregnancies.

Neither will harm your baby but I know how stressful it is seeing blood. When is your scan booked for? Can you book an early one just to see that there is a sac (as you likely won't see anything else). Although in my experience the early scan made me far more anxious than just waiting for when you would be able to see a heartbeat xxx

orangecatmum profile image
orangecatmum

It's mad - even though you can be really logical and know that things can be common, it can still send you spiralling! Or, well, me. Ha. It's in my nature to overthink and overanalyse (it's so deeply annoying...)

I spoke to my clinic and they said it wouldn't be implantation bleeding at this stage but that it is 'very common'.

The haematoma thing is interesting, I'd not heard that re: IVF.

My 7 week scan is 2 weeks today, Aug 8. At first I felt like that was really soon but now it feels aaaages away, especially as my last pregnancy started going wrong before then and I MC at 7 weeks on the dot. I don't think I'd book an earlier one but tnh it depends how the next few days go! Ha.

Twiglet2 profile image
Twiglet2

hey lovely I’m 7 weeks now and had it since 5 weeks and I’m hanging in there (had 2 scans all okay so far) but it’s still terrifying every time I see it and when it’s a bit heavier. I would call your clinic ask them to do bloods and take it from there 🤗 thinking of you xx

orangecatmum profile image
orangecatmum in reply toTwiglet2

Thanks love! My clinic doesn't do bloods (lol, literally I haven't even tried asking because I know it'll be a no!) but they have assured me it's 'very common' and only to be worried if it gets heavier. It's suchhh a mind-F isn't it! Especially for those of us who have had miscarriages, your brain instantly triggers to panic mode! Hope your pregnancy is all going well, glad to hear your scans have been fine! xx

Twiglet2 profile image
Twiglet2 in reply toorangecatmum

My clinic ‘don’t do bloods’ either (I’m self funding at an nhs clinic) but they do make an exception with bleeding if pregnancy tests still strong as they need to check it’s not eptopic etc so I would push for the bloods if it does continue 🤗 xx

orangecatmum profile image
orangecatmum in reply toTwiglet2

Oooh ok - maybe I'll push if I need to! Mine is my free NHS round, which is probably why they're less forthcoming with betas. For now the spotting has gone but I do fully expect to see it again soon, it was very on and off yesterday. Cannot rest for a moment 😅 xx

Twiglet2 profile image
Twiglet2 in reply toorangecatmum

Aww that’s good it’s stopped, mine is on and off too! Keep thinking that’s it stopped and then a few days later back again 😫 so worrying isn’t it! Xx

Beclp profile image
Beclp

Hi lovely

I’m 6 weeks yesterday and started spotting a couple of days ago and it freaked me out

I’ve had some slight cramping and twinges on and off but it seemed the cramps were stronger and then with the spotting I was terrified

But it has stopped

It’s just that feeling that it might get worse or something!

It’s such a nerve wracking time and I have a week and bit for my first scan

I think I’ve come to the realisation that’s it’s all out of my control so stressing isn’t going to help.

All the best with your pregnancy 💕

orangecatmum profile image
orangecatmum in reply toBeclp

Same with me! The spotting comes around the time I'm having more cramps/twinges. How strange? They aren't really painful but it's like a load of sparks across my entire pelvic region and lower back - I had worse, more painful cramps during implantation, but these are different.

Completely know how you feel! Hope yours stay away or stay at the lower level - it does seem to be so normal and even though I've read 100+ stories from women who have had this and been fine, when it's you, you're like 'oh nooo but I'll be different', ha. Or is that just me?

Hope yours goes OK and wishing all the best for your scan! It'll come round faster then you think xx

Beclp profile image
Beclp in reply toorangecatmum

No it’s totally different when it’s happening to you ! You can read a million forums and feel comforted for a bit but then the mind takes over again with the what ifs .

I just feel if I start panicking about everything now, I will do I about everything and I’ll never actually enjoy this time I’ve waited so long for ❤️

WillowPark profile image
WillowPark

Hi orangecatmum, I had some spotting at 7 weeks and again at 10 weeks. Both absolutely fine. I was told the bleeding was coming from my cervix rather than my uterus and was just irritation/friable cervix from the pessaries/IVF drugs and would settle down. There is a sister forum on here for IVF pregnancies and you will see alot of similar posts on there. It is normal, although terrifying. Fingers crossed you and embryo will be fine! xx

orangecatmum profile image
orangecatmum in reply toWillowPark

Thanks WillowPark - I didn't know there was an IVF preg forum, I'll go and check it out! Glad to hear that yours was all fine xx

Wishinandahopin profile image
Wishinandahopin

hi lovely I’m so sorry I imagine this is so triggering for you. I had bleeding every day from weeks 5-8 sometimes spotting (brown/pink/red) sometimes heavy fresh red bleeding. Turned out it was a hematoma which is more common in ivf pregnancies. My baby is now 5 months so it turned out ok.

Will keep everything crossed for you xxx

orangecatmum profile image
orangecatmum

I'm so glad to hear it all worked out for you! Love love love these stories xx

Hypnoticguineapig profile image
Hypnoticguineapig

I had it twice lasting a week with my daughter, at 6 weeks and 8 weeks. Then with my son I had brown at 7 weeks then bright red at 8 weeks. Very scary and I did go for a scan each time for my own piece of mind. Thankfully both pregnancies were fine.

orangecatmum profile image
orangecatmum

Ahh I'm so glad it worked out for you and that you were able to get those scans. My scan is still 2 weeks away but if the bleeding/spotting returns maybe I'll go for an early one just for peace of mind!

Zel64 profile image
Zel64

I had red bleeding the evening before my 14DP5DT test and was convinced it was all over. Was very shocked when the test was positive. I have had some bright red bleeding on and off since then & occasional small clots but had my 7 week scan on Tuesday & the wee one looks happy in their yolk sac - I was definitely scared going into the scan with the repeated bleeding. They could see some small areas of bleeding & clots but I reckon it was caused by irritation from the Progesterone pessaries as it’s stopped since I switched to rectal use (occasional brown blood on wiping as things settle).

In terms of cramping I’ve had light cramping the whole time but nothing exciting. My sister also had this early in her pregnancies & that all turned out ok x

orangecatmum profile image
orangecatmum

Ugh, I was doing so well - have had on and off very light spotting since this post last week, but I got used to it and it wasn't too bad at all.

But today, 6 weeks pregnant, it's taken a bit of a turn and is much heavier.

Once again, trying not to stress but jesus christ, this is such a stressful time! How are we just meant to get through this, level-headed, when the signs of a healthy pregnancy can be exactly the same as the signs of a miscarriage!?

My clinic has finally agreed to see me tomorrow for a scan but I'm really starting to lose hope. I'm having little cramps too along with the bleeding, which is now like a darker reddish brown, and there's a lot more of it than I've had so far. It looks like it's ready to turn into proper blood soon.

Is there any hope? Has anyone had anything similar and it's turned out OK? I think we're venturing out of the 'light spotting' arena and into scary vibes now...

Saskiahope profile image
Saskiahope

Hey, how are you doing? I’ve been thinking about you. How was your clinic visit? X

orangecatmum profile image
orangecatmum in reply toSaskiahope

It was OK! I was so stunned.

The doctor saw an embryo with a tiny heartbeat, she said I was measuring 'perfectly' for 6 weeks 1 day, and she couldn't see a reason for the bleeding (which got a lot heavier after I posted on here, like, coming out of me on the toilet - I was so convinced I was miscarrying!) but suggested maybe I'd had a haematoma that I ended up fully passing.

So far I have only had like, dry brown remnants, so maybe she was right. But she told me I could develop another one so I could bleed/spot again.

I'm going back in for a scan when I'm 7 weeks 5 days just to make sure all still fine, so now just need to get there! But what a mad 24 hours. I was crying on the way home from work because I was bleeding so much - I thought it was over!

Thanks for checking in xx

Saskiahope profile image
Saskiahope in reply toorangecatmum

Sounds like such a traumatic experience but with a really reassuring and lovely outcome, yahoooo I’m so chuffed for you! Thanks for the update and do keep us posted, I will be thinking of you and wishing you all the best! Xxxxxx

Babydust16 profile image
Babydust16

I’m very happy for you, I had my BFP yesterday and this morning was shocked to spotting which has subsided now. I’m so worried, going to the hospital tomorrow and believing all is well. This is my 10th round and the only BFP I got.

orangecatmum profile image
orangecatmum in reply toBabydust16

Ahhh congrats on your BFP - that must be such a relief after all this time!

So far, from what I can see from my very ~extensive~ Googling and chats with my clinic - it is so so common. Old blood needs to come out to make way for all the chaos that is going on in there, and haematomas are rife.

Wishing you all the best for tomorrow!

Babydust16 profile image
Babydust16

Thank you so so much🙏, it’s been amazing this few days basking in this joy. I was at the hospital and boom the blood test came out well and very positive. This joy will be permanent for us in Jesus mighty name. And to everyone out there your BFP is around the corner🙏

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