Bleeding and spotting for 2 weeks (from 8.5 - 10.5 weeks and counting...)

After a long TTC journey and IVF, I’m 10.5 weeks along and have been having bleeding and spotting with cramps for the last two weeks. My pregnancy had seemed totally normal until one morning, at 8.5 weeks, when I suddenly started gushing bright red blood. I called my clinic and went in a couple of hours later. By the time I got there, the bleeding had slowed down but I had an examination and scan anyway. The baby looked perfect, there was no sign of anything wrong and my cervix was closed. The next evening, I started gushing red blood again and cramping badly. I called my clinic and the hospital and both said that, if I was miscarrying, nothing could be done anyway so the best treatment was just to rest up. The heavy bleeding again subsided on its own after a couple of hours. Now, two weeks on, I am still cramping up and spotting – it is very light and has changed from bright red to brown old blood. I saw my ob for the first time a few days ago and our baby looked perfect (wriggling and kicking) on the scan and there was no obvious problem with my pregnancy. So why am I still spotting? I am so confused and terrified that this will turn back into heavy bleeding and something unthinkably bad. Any thoughts for me?

No thoughts, just one of these :hug:

how scary. FX bub is a sticky one xox

Awwww hun, it's so scary, isn't it? I had a big sub chorionic haematoma at six weeks after a long journey of ttc. I hope it makes you feel slightly better when I say that my clinic said to expect the blood to start getting browner after the initial bleed/bleeds as the blood is getting older. So it does sound normal, it is what I experienced and it probably went on for about four weeks which was very nerve wracking. But, as you will be able to see from my signature, I have two beautiful little girls from that very pregnancy. Hang in there and take it easy xxx

MyTurn - Thanks for the hug! I needed one of those today!

Beannaithe - your story is reassuring and does sound quite similar to what's going on with me. Thank you! It's strange that the doctors haven't found a haematoma at my ultrasounds because that sounds like a likely explanation. Hmmm... I guess blood becoming more brown must be a positive anyway!

I had similar with my pregnancy- bleeding and cramping from 6-9 weeks although mine was mostly brown only red one day. No reason found and I went on to have a normal pregnancy.
It would be stressful enough normally but in the context of long term trying to conceive, IVF and history of miscarriage it's enough to give a girl a nervous breakdown, I spent the weeks on bed rest trying to quell the anxiety, having scans helps and seeing a healthy baby, but after a day or two the panic creeps backin.

You have my sympathy as I know how scary it is and I can't give much reassurance other than to say if your baby is going well through the bleeding then it obviously isn't being affected and has every chance of staying safe and cosy.

The first trimester is sooooo long when this is happening, stay as calm as you can and best wishes for the next 6-7 months and a healthy baby xx

I would say that you might have a subchorionic haematoma and maybe they can't see it on ultrasound cause it's just a small one.

I have had the exact same 'gushes' of bright red blood followed by spotting inbetween since 6 weeks and am now 14+5 weeks. Mine was found to be a subchorionic haematoma but is quite large 9cmx5cm so was easily detected on a scan. I was told that brown blood is 'old' blood coming out and the cramping occurs because blood is an irritant to the uterus.

I know it's easier said than done (especially after LTTTC and IVF) but try to relax and stay positive. The fact that bubs is doing well on scans is great. Hang in there honey xx

Saffy & Jasmine – thank you so much for sharing your stories and for the reassuring words! I feel much better after reading them! I think that an SCH is the most likely diagnosis but it must be either hidden behind something or too small to see on the u/s. Bleeding is so scary especially when the doctors don’t give any explanation and just say that nothing can be done anyway.

I’m so glad that you got a much deserved happy ending Saffy!!

Jasmine – good luck for the rest of your pregnancy!! I hope that your SCH resolves soon and the spotting stops.

Just thought I’d put an update on here in case anyone was interested in the end of my story. I am 13 weeks & 1 day pregnant today and baby is doing well! The bleeding and spotting continued from 8.5 weeks until 11.5 weeks and then just totally disappeared.

Many thanks to all the ladies who helped me through that rough patch with words of comfort and wisdom! It was very much appreciated!

that's wonderful to hear xx

Great news :-)