Spotting at 6 1/2 weeks. Is this normal?

[mregan]

Hi ladies,
I am almost 7 weeks pregnant for the first time, and I've been spotting for the past 15 hours or so. When I wipe myself after going to the bathroom, there is a brown color on the toilet paper. It's not heavy or red. In fact, sometimes it's very faint. Is this something to be concerned about? Of course, I am anxious now about miscarrying. All week, I've had a slight tugging on my left side--nothing painful, severe, or constant. Just every now and then, I'd notice it. I just figured it was my uterus stretching out. But the appearance of the brown spotting today has me concerned, especially since most web information seems to say that cramping + spotting could equal miscarriage. Any veterans out there who can speak to this?
Sincerely,
Manmohini

 

[kristan]

I'd call your dr. to let him/her know, but I think it's a good sign the spotting is brown. I've had 3 pregnancies/kids, and spotted heavier and heavier with each one (and obviously didn't miscarry). It's still very scary, and I hope everything goes well for you.

 

[FiddleFit]

Every time I see an email with this kind of subject line, I get a sinking feeling in my stomach. It is extremely common for women to have spotting in the first trimester. It appears that as many go on to have successful pregnancies, as have miscarriages. The only way you will know for sure if you are miscarrying is to see a doctor, or wait it out. When I had my miscarriage the cramping was like strong menstrual cramps - quite unmistakable. And the blood was quite red. Apparently some women have "implantation spotting", which is blood that was tapped during the implantation process. It's been described as being brown, I believe, and is nothing to worry about. I hope that this is the situation in your case. At any rate, I would talk to your doctor or midwife, so you can put your mind at ease.

Let us know how you do!
Sandra

 

[karenflyz]

I'd definitely call the doctor. If you start to cramp more or feel your stomach starting to swell, go to the emergency room. I had brown spotting for about 2 weeks off and on with light cramping here and there. I blew it off and ended up in the emergency room with an ectopic pregnancy. Chances are you do NOT have an ectopic pregnancy, but it's better to be safe since an ectopic pregnancy can be very dangerous. In hindsight I wish I would have gone to the doctor as soon as I noticed the spotting instead of waiting it out and ending up in the emergency room having to have major surgery.

I hope you are okay.

Karen

 

[JulieL]

i spotted at 6 wks, u/s showed no problems - I'mholding that baby right now . it's not always a bad thing - just troublesome. Call you dr for a u/s if you're overly concerned.

((hugs))!