Bleeding in First Trimester?

Updated on May 25, 2007
T.A. asks from Stockton, CA
21 answers

Hi,
I'm 9 weeks pregnant with my second baby and I noticed yesterday evening that when I went to the restroom there was a bit of "dark" blood when I wiped. I called the doctors office immediatley and the nurse said it was normal and was nothing to be alarmed about but I've been up all night worrying about it. I didn't experience this at all with my first child and I'm scared to death something is wrong. Since last night, every time I get up to use the restroom there is a little bit of blood when I wipe (still dark) but there is nothing on the panty liner (possibly because I've been lying down since this started?) I'm hoping to get into see the doctor today because I'm really freaking out about this. Anyone out there experience vaginal bleeding for no apparent reason? The only thing I can think of that might have caused this is sex but it has been more than 24 hours or that I've started to drink cherry pomogranate juice. Although I doubt either would have caused bleeding?! Any advice appreciated. Thanks so much!

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So What Happened?

Hi,
Thanks everyone for all your advice and kind words :)
I went to the doctor yesterday and while she couldn't tell me why I was bleeding or from where, she did say it didnt look like it was coming from my cervix. I was able to see the baby on the ultrasound and to see the heartbeat (which the dr said was strong!)
Again, thanks again to everyone! I really appreciate all the support and advice. :)

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V.W.

answers from San Francisco on

I had the same problem in my 5th pregnancy. I don't know what caused it - probably sex because that is something I didn't have much of in my frist 4 pregnancies. It went on for two days and then stopped.

As long as it's dark you are okay - I worried myself sick - even had contractions, but just tried to get off my feet and lay down.

I am 32 weeks now and everything is fine!

1 mom found this helpful
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S.L.

answers from Sacramento on

Try not to worry, I had a lot of spotting with both my pregnancies and everything was fine. A lot of times you get implantation bleed which is normal. I still have spotting and I am 21 weeks pregnant and I am an ultrasound tech so I know everything is ok. I hope this helps. S.

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J.S.

answers from Stockton on

If you're really concerned make an appointment to see your doctor. I have had 3 babies and never bled during pregnancy, however I have heard of people that have. SOmetimes it can indicate a problem and without seeing you there's no way the doctor could know (or the nurse). ON the other hand it may be normal. Putting your mind at ease would be worth a trip to the doctor though.

sorry didn't see what happened til after i posted my response. But GLAD everything went okay. I'm glad you went in to the doctor. Always go in if you're worried. Better safe than not safe.

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B.S.

answers from San Diego on

Hey T.,
Really, don't worry about it. I bleed a little in my first couple of months, even a little spotting in my fourth or fifth month. The dark blood is good, because it just means that it is old blood trying to make it's way out. Really the only time you should be concerned is when you have bright, fresh blood and enought to put a pad on. I'm sure you know this... but never where a tampoon while you're pregnant!

Good luck with your new addition soon arriving!

B.

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J.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

This happened to me with my first son, now 10. I thought I was having a miscarriage, I was also having sharp pains. I had to wait the whole weekend before seeing my doctor. My husband rented videos and we stayed in bed all weekend - he was great! I was at 8 weeks. I had an ultra-sound on Monday and everything was fine. She said my uterus was stretching the the spotting was normal. Just think positive and to ease your worries visit your doctor.

1 mom found this helpful
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E.C.

answers from Fresno on

I have 4 beautiful children, all of whom I spotted and bled into my second trimester. It's hard but relax- dark blood means old blood. Go see DR immediately if it gets bright red- that means the bleed is fresh. I'm no expert but I did bleed with all 4 babies. The worst thing that happend in my pregnancies was that 2 of them were 4 weeks early and those 2 are my healthiest! I have 2 that have severe GERD but that has nothing to do with my pregnancies, it's genetic! Hope this helps you..... But still drink lots of water and don't over do it, your body sometimes tells you in strange ways that you should rest!

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E.E.

answers from San Francisco on

when i was pregnant with my daughter the some thing happened to me, and i was terrified. my midwife assured me that it was just (this might sound gross) old menstrual blood that is coming out because the uterus is stretching and shifting. this is why its so dark in color and why there isnt much of it. she had me come in and she examined me and we listened to the baby's heartbeat, and she assured me that unless i started bleeding heavily, everything would be fine. take a deep breath and relax, dont stress out, go in, hear the heartbeat. everything will be fine! congratulations!

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J.P.

answers from Los Angeles on

This happened to me. I was told it was basically a period I was having. It is normal to not have a period during your pregnancy but some woman still have some sort of one.. and when I thought about it, it was right about the time I would have had my period, had I not been pregnant. but they said as long as it wasn't ALOT of blood.. that it was ok.

Hope this helped! Congrats on the pregnancy! =)
~J.

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B.D.

answers from San Francisco on

Dear T.,

I am a women's health nurse practitioner and a mom. Though this is a scary experience, many women (about 10-15%) will experience some bleeding in their pregnancy and still have a healthy baby. You're right to want to see your doctor right away, for reassurance. Please do whatever you can to insist upon an appointment today and be seen, Your peace of mind is important.

I hope that the ultrasound they will do, will show that the baby is fine. Sex can cause a little bit of spotting, the pomegrante juice didn't have any effect. If your doctor is concernd, they can do a culture to check for infection.

Good luck today with yor appointment. I hope that it goes well.

Barb

1 mom found this helpful
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M.M.

answers from San Diego on

Go see your Doctor now or even go to the ER, especially if you are still bleeding every time you wipe. Some bleeding is normal, but the amount you are mentioning sounds like a lot. It's better to be safe than sorry. At least there they can do an ultrasound. Take care.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.F.

answers from Flagstaff on

Hi T.!

Some bleeding in the first trimester is normal unless there is a good amount of pain coming with it. If you begin to bleed like a period, then it would be something to worry about. But often the bleeding is caused from the lining as the baby firmly implants, and the placenta begins to form.

If you need any further encouragement or support, I'd be happy to speak with you privately. : ) I'm a doula and an apprentice midwife.

Christy

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J.K.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi!!

When I was 10 weeks pregnant I started to bleed and it was around 48 hours after sex. It was normal per my MD. I was worried and scared like you, but it was nothing. I hope this helps!

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K.H.

answers from San Diego on

HI! I had a similar situation but I was only 5 weeks. For me, I went to the emergency room and they did an ultra sound, vaginal check and blood work. They gave me grim news(not to freak you out or anything) and told me to follow up with my OB. A week later my OB drew more blood to check that my hormone levels were going up...they were. There was no explanation on why I was bleeding. It finally stopped a few days later. And by the time I went in for my first check up we got to see her heartbeat on the sonogram. I now have a healthy 9 month old. My advice to you is if it worries you make the dr. or nurse practioner see you, even if it is your family practioner get it checked for peace of mind. That's what they are there for. Good Luck!

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E.Y.

answers from San Francisco on

I had a little bit of bleeding in my first trimester as well. It was just as you described - there'd be blood on the toliet paper but nothing on the liner. The doctor told me it was fine but then gave me the stats on miscarriages in the first trimester which freaked me out more than I was. She gave me a pelvic exam and said that my uterus looked agitated and that was it. I took it easy for the next couple days and the bleeding stopped. I had a healthy baby girl.

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L.W.

answers from Las Vegas on

T.,

I had the same thing with both my pregnancies. I always spotted in the first trimester after sex. It scared me really bad at first. I called my Dr. freaking out and went in and they examined me. They said it was nothing, but said no intercourse until after 12 weeks. If you are very concerned call your Dr back and tell them. Hopefully it's nothing.

L.

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K.F.

answers from Stockton on

Hi T.,
With all three of my kids my DR.'s have told me spotting is normal. Sex can cause spotting, even 24 hrs prior. Physical activity and stress, also. My Dr. said as long as the blood is "old blood", brownish in color, like at the end of your period, kind of color. Not to worry!
Good Luck!
K. F

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J.D.

answers from Reno on

I had bleeding in my first trimester. I was 8 weeks and I hadn't had my first appointment yet. I called and insisted on an appointment. They did an ultrasound and found that I was only showing 4 weeks. So they sent me in for blood tests to check my hormone levels for two day to see if it was increasing like it is supposed to. Unfortunately my bleeding was caused by the beginnings of a miscarriage. You are right to worry. I only hope that your outcome is happier than mine. Good luck!!

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T.

answers from Las Vegas on

T.,

I've had vaginal bleeding in the first trimester with 3 pregnancies. 2 of them ended in miscarriage, 1 did not. I would definitely try to see your doctor as soon as possible so hopefully he or she can ease your mind that everything is fine. In general, bright red blood is a bad sign but dark blood is "usually" nothing.

T.

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J.A.

answers from Los Angeles on

#1- CALL THE DOC AND ASK TO BE SEEN! They can't do anything to stop it, but at least they can put your mind at ease that all is well. They can do an ultrasound to show you they baby is growing and healthy. I was pregnant with twins and miscaried 1 at 10 1/2 weeks, leaving me on bed rest for a month.

Which brings me to #2- ASSUME THAT BED REST WILL DO YOU SOME GOOD! The doc may put you on bedrest for a week to see if it stops the spotting. Mine was MUCH! more than "bloody smears" on the TP. It was MUCH heavier than my heaviest day of menstration. Spotting DOES happen, EVEN when everythings FINE! Getting the dr's appointment will just allow you to calm down and relax. Stress isn't condusive to a healthy pregnancy! ~J

PS~ My HEALTHY son was born 12/29/04. End of the year is both excitting and unfortunate. They wait all year for their B-day and Christmas, then it's all over in less than a week. :O( But they are SO cute that first year, bieign so tiny for the other holidays! :O) AND A TAX BREAK TOO! LOL

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A.E.

answers from Los Angeles on

if the blood is dark that means its old blood... that nurse should NOT have said that to you because she is not a dr and she did not examine you... go to the ER so you can be seen right away by a real dr and then follow up with your ob/gyn

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K.T.

answers from Los Angeles on

Some women do experience spotting during their pregnancy. I wouldn't worry unless it becomes brighter (ie. fresher) and heavier. Sometimes if a woman gets pregnant very close to her period date, the body flushes out some of the lining because it is 'old' and more likely to besome toxic. It should stop in a few days.

If it lasts more than 5-7 days, becomes heavier (like a real period) or you feel cramping, then call your doctor and insist on an exam. But otherwise, I wouldn't worry.

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