Wednesday, September 12th, 2012. 7weeks, 5days.
I felt great yesterday. It was a beautiful, fall-like day in Southeastern Michigan/Northwestern Ohio, and things at work felt like they were really coming together. The team is almost fully back to normal after a few important people had been missing due to extended illnesses and injuries, and after starting the day with a new trainee and lunch out with coworkers, I felt ready to really dig in and have a productive afternoon.
About 2pm, I ran to the bathroom and found that I was spotting. Not bleeding exactly, and not even full-on pink spotting, but more of a brownish-pink, very creamy cervical mucus. Almost like what you might see during the TWW, except with the alarming color.
I panicked.
Since there was quiet a lot of… umm… wetness, and because I was wearing khakis and not at all prepared for any kind of bleeding to start while I was at work, I went home early. I got to the house, put on the stretchiest pants I own, and curled up with a blanket on the couch, feeling awful and waiting for the cramping and heavy bleeding to start.
Waiting to miscarry.
I waited all night… and finally went to bed with the husband, fully expecting to be awakened by painful cramping.
But it never happened.
I woke up with my alarm this morning well-rested and feeling… serene. Happy, even.
No cramping. No more spotting.
Nothing.
Soo… that was weird.
Was this a forewarning of the beginning of the end? Will I look back at this later and realize that it was a sign that my miscarriage was beginning, or will this just be the one scary time I overreacted to some very mild spotting?
I have no idea at this point.
I stayed home from work this morning and am now waiting for a call back from Dr. K to see if he is going to send me for blood work and/or have me come in earlier than Tuesday for my next ultrasound.
I’m thinking that I should just go to work.
I can’t go home and hide every time I get scared. That’s just not me.
I really need to keep living my life like nothing tragic is looming in the shadows, because if I do lose this baby, I am going to need to throw myself back into that life in a major way in order to recover.
And if I don’t lose this baby, which I pray every day is the case, I will have plenty of time off from real life about seven months from now…
Either way, life must go on.
And so must I.
:: UPDATE ::
The doc called back and told me that he is not at all concerned by brown spotting, and that it was probably the old blood he saw in my uterus during Monday’s scan. He said that it’s a perfectly normal thing for any pregnancy, and that I should definitely let him know if I start cramping or have bright red blood.
He also talked to me about blood work, and gave me a choice. He said that with most pregnancies, the HCG levels in your body level off or sometimes even drop from day to day after a certain point. Getting my levels taken today may cause more upset than relief if they do not appear to be rising, and he said that if I want to get them taken, he will gladly call in the requisition.
I decided to pass on the blood draw this time. He’s right. Getting my blood drawn won’t change anything. If my levels are rising, I may feel good about it, and yet I may still miscarry. If my levels are falling or rising very slowly, I may be devastated, and yet my pregnancy may still be successful.
I’m at peace with all of this. What will be, will be.
One day at a time. That’s how time passes, and there is no use speculating.
Time to rejoin my life, already in progress.
Just Stop Trying and It Will Happen... 
I know any kind of spotting in pregnancy is scary, but I’ve also heard what your doc told you — that brown spotting is usually of no concern. I’m glad you have peace and that you’re able to take things as they come. I’m still hoping and praying! ~ hugs ~
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I can’t imaging all of the things going through your mind. I think you really explained how crazy this can be on our minds. I think it sounds like you made the right decision to wait for bloodwork. You are doing a great job taking care of yourself during this hard time!
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Do you know your RH factor? Are you neg or pos? I’m neg and when I had spotting early on (just like you did, not a lot but enough to scare the crap out of me) my OB ordered a Rhogam shot right away. It’s not typically something you need till 28 weeks, however when there’s a chance your blood could mix with the babies it’s needed (unless your husband is also negative and you are negative). There’s ton of information about it out on Dr. Google!!
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I am negative, actually, and of course the husband doesn’t know his blood type, lol.
I did ask the doc about this, because he had mentioned that in case of bleeding or miscarriage I would need the shot. He said that with brown spotting like this, it isn’t something he feels is necessary. If it continues though, he may have me get the shot just to be careful.
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With jocelynn i had spotting at about 7 weeks to. I am praying for you!
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I had spotting with both girls. When I had it with Meghan I had a total freak out. With Izzy, I noticed it was right around the time I would’ve been having a period. Your doc is right, unless it is red, no need to panic. I am glad that everything for now is ok!
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Hey, just an fmi. I have no Rh issue and spotted the entire first trimester with Logan. I think if I hadn’t been so horrifically nauseated I might have worried but in hind sight can confirm with your doc;) I also know spotting can happen a lot after any type of cervical exam because everything down there is so sensitive to intrusion. Hang in there!
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Oh bless you, it’s so scary isn’t it. I had the same through early pregnancy, but I have a very healthy toddler now. Good luck honey xxxxxxxxxx
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I hope it’s all false alarm… I vaguely remember reading that vaginal ultrasounds can cause minor spotting (I even think I had some… but I might be mistaken). Hang in there – and hold on to that baby!!
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Keeping my fingers crossed. Grow baby grow!
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I’m glad your doc is so reassuring!!! I know that this is one of the scariest times you will go through, but youre doing a great job already mama! keep driving on! Your baby is the size of a blueberry 🙂
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I think baby is perhaps the size of a very, very small, slow-growing blueberry, lol. 😉
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I read this earlier but wasn’t able to comment from my phone but I’m glad I just caught your update. I am hoping it was just breakthrough bleeding which is totally normal. A friend of mine had it around 7 weeks too and freaked and is now 32 weeks with a perfect bub. Praying for you, girl! I’m really hoping you get good news at your next appt. Grow little bean!
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I spotted with ben…left work early and called the doctor freaking out on the way home. It’s not just you that freaks out on this stuff.
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I full out bled and had cramps with Trevor at 8 week’s. I thought for sure I was mIscarring ( I never even spotted with my other two )I went to have an ultra sound and he was perfectly fine. I bled/ spotted for a few weeks. I hope your gummy bear is still growing strong!
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It’s definitely reassuring to hear about all of these healthy babies who were born after scares during early pregnancy! I hope that’s all this was too… just a scare.
If I was being completely logical, I would have known that brown spotting wasn’t a huge concern, but I am a little on edge lately… in case everyone hasn’t noticed. 😛
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I just sprouted 2 grey hairs reading this. I will now yank them out as I’m sighing with relief. ❤
Sidenote: I'm Rh negative and faintly remember getting the rhogam shot when I had bleeding early on with my first pregnancy.. Husband was O+, so I had to get them with every pregnancy. I don't remember the specifics so I'm not a reliable source for this info. I had to get the shot every time I miscarried as well.
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If it helps at all, I spotted for about 2 weeks from week six to maybe midway through week nine. I’m now at 28 weeks and things are looking good. Try to take it easy this weekend!
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