(Update - another) Spotting Freakout

AMShark

I saw the OB yesterday about very slight, red spotting. She saw no sign of bleeding & confirmed both babies were where they should be & both hearts were beating. I felt grateful, but silly for getting so upset.

This morning, I woke up to much heavier spotting (not just from a TP wipe, but I saw it immediately on my panty liner) - but this time I would call it brown. It's still not heavy - it's just a panty liner & it's not soaked through, but it was a shock to see.

I'm hoping it's just irritation from the exam yesterday. I don't want to be the crazy person that calls the OB every day. I left work very early yesterday, and I just sent my boss a note that I need to work from home until I can call the doctor for her opinion. (I really wish I didn't work an hour away from where I live - it would make this so much easier).
I feel like an ass staying home today *just in case* the doctor says I should come in when I call - but I don't want to drive an hour to work (or 90 minutes if I don't beat the daily construction lane closures), only to be told to drive home, so I can see the doc.
I'm not even 10 weeks yet, & I'm already a basket case.

Am I overreacting? Should I just go to work & assume the doctor will say everything is fine when I call her? That's what I did yesterday with the little traces of red spotting, but to my surprise they told me to come in then.

Why is this so hard?

AMShark

Alright - cooler heads might be prevailing. I called my OB to leave a message in their appointment voicemail, when I realized they have late hours on Tuesday 8a-8p. So, I'm gonna get my *ss in gear so I can sneak past the construction traffic & get to work on time. I'll wait for a call back, and if I need to, hopefully I can go in after 6:00 pm & still get a pretty full day in at work.

WA1215

Did you make it in to work already? How are you feeling?

gsancho

You're a trooper for heading to work.  If it's brown, I think it's just old blood or irritation - not as worrisome as pink or bright red.  I have no shame is staying home if spotting.  I worked from home for a couple of days when I started spotting, but after 3 days of brown spotting and no cramps I just got tired of freaking out and went to work.

Grateful&Thankful

Don't ever feel bad about being super concerned. We all have worked so hard to get these babies! I hope you hear from your doctor soon. Better safe than sorry. I hope the spotting stops. (((hugs)))

turquoisequeen

Just wanted to say I hope it is nothing but don't worry about checking with your OB about it for peace of mind.

AMShark

Thanks for all of the feedback.  I just made it to work about 10 minutes ago.  My monster commute has me almost as nervous as my PG some days.  I just haven't driven in without a traffic jam (not always in the same spot) in so many weeks, I didn't want to put it off until my OB's office started answer the phone at 8:30.  My boss texted me back & told me to stay home at 8:40, but at that point, I'd already been in my car for 55 minutes.    ... besides the fact that I don't look at my phone while I'm driving, so I didn't even see the message for another 20 minutes.

So, I'm just going to try to stay sane, keep an eye on things, and call back my OB office if they don't call me by 10:00 am.

I'm hoping that the fact that I'm so busy at work will help to keep my mind off of the spotting.  I do think, in retrospect, that I probably should have just worked from home today, just in case the doctor tells me to come in early.

Live and learn.

southernyankeegirl

Hopefully your boss will recognize that you're being a dedicated employee so that when you do stay home, no one will think twice!

Always trust your gut. The first few weeks are really scary, I can only imagine more so with twins and spotting. Unfortunately, except for rest and hydrate, there's just not much to do except wait it all out. Brown spotting is usually NBD and hopefully it just pooled overnight and isn't really that much.

Good luck! I will be looking for an update. Take it easy!!!!

pblge

Yikes! hope all is okay! Remember, a little bit of spotting is no big deal, but resting is almost always a good idea. Keep us posted!

hopeby2015

Have you continued to see any spotting today? Hope all is well!

AMShark

Update - I talked to my OB on the phone.  Fortunately, it was the same OB that I saw yesterday, so I didn't need to explain the entire situation. 

She said that a small amount of brown spotting is no reason for concern.  She instructed me to call back or come in if the spotting should change to red, or if it is accompanied by pain or cramps.  I haven't had any pain today, so I feel like I'm in the clear.

The spotting hasn't gotten any worse - I would say that it has gotten lighter as the day goes on.

All that being said, I'm not working late today.  5:30 I'm hitting the road, so I can put on my PJ's and heat up my leftover broccoli, chicken mac & cheese.

Thanks to everyone for your support.  I really appreciate all of the replies.  I think they helped to keep me sane today.

CarSaidYes

@AMShark‌ sorry you are dealing with this too. I'm having the same sorta issue :-/
We just have to keep positive and be in touch with our Drs. And I don't think there's a such thing as not worrying but I will be at crazy person calling my dr office every other hr if need be or even to calm my nerves. This trimester is by far the scariest!

AMShark

@CarSaidYes - Thanks for the support.  I'm sorry you're dealing with spotting too - It's jarring when it happens.

I'd really like to think the First Tri is the hardest - but don't you worry that Second Tri will come, and you'll be just as nervous?  I feel like I'm going to be on edge until I reach the point where fetal viability is over 80%.... so, like 26 weeks?  Is that normal, or is that a little crazy?

Here's the wikipedia chart on fetal viability, in case you want to fret over something new with me.

Completed weeks of Gestation at birth	21 and less	22	23	24	25	26	27	30	34
Chance of survival[5]	0%	0-10%	10-35%	40-70%	50-80%	80-90%	>90%	>95%	>98%

AMShark

IFinTN said:

My mom said hopefully I can relax when I know "it is 100%." I was like, um, when is that? When the baby pops out healthy? Apparently she thought 6 weekish heartbeat was 100%. Silly mom.

I don't even know if it stops then.  I'm considering preparing for babies by ordering bubble wrap to cover every surface of my house.  (If it's done in a tasteful way, who will notice, really?)

CarSaidYes

@AMShark‌ good lord woman! Lol. Yes I'm sure I'll bet scared then too but I am looking more at the "mc" stats and what can go wring. I just want to see a heart beat so bad!

AMShark

CarSaidYes said:

@AMShark‌ good lord woman! Lol. Yes I'm sure I'll bet scared then too but I am looking more at the "mc" stats and what can go wring. I just want to see a heart beat so bad!

The heartbeat is an amazing milestone.  I take it all back - you should feel some relief on that day... just don't be surprised when doubt starts creeping its way back in.

FX for a strong heartbeat on your 1st scan.

weansworld09

So glad you're feeling better. That's quite a scare to have yesterday. The spotting only amplified your concerns I would imagine.
I still worry too and I have yet to post anything on fb about the pregnancy bc of that little what if fear and I just hit 20w yesterday.

1220winterbride

AMEN. Just bring on the normal heart beat and I will worry about something else for a few days...like lunch meat.

FishyMom

AMShark said:

CarSaidYes said:

@AMShark‌ good lord woman! Lol. Yes I'm sure I'll bet scared then too but I am looking more at the "mc" stats and what can go wring. I just want to see a heart beat so bad!

The heartbeat is an amazing milestone.  I take it all back - you should feel some relief on that day... just don't be surprised when doubt starts creeping its way back in.

FX for a strong heartbeat on your 1st scan.

And unfortunate it will!! Each milestone you pass the doubt takes longer and longer to creep back in.. But I'll say at 33 weeks I still have doubt from time to time.. And then she starts wiggling and that pushes it down. My advice is one day at a time.

1220winterbride

AMEN. Just bring on the normal heart beat and I will worry about something else for a few days...like lunch meat.

AMShark

Update -- the spotting returned this morning - a light pinkish brown. It's not a huge volume, but a scary enough amount to see a on a panty liner (not soaked through). The TP wipe was also a light brown.

Since it's Sunday, to call my OB, I need to call the emergency line - you know, the one used by ladies in labor.
It's very similar to the last incident, during which my OB said if it's brown & not accompanied by pain, there's no cause for alarm.... But DH wants me to call the OB ( and also, gave me a lecture about lifting a marble cutting board & the stand mixer yesterday ... Yes, really, - a lecture about the kitchenaide - silly, right?)

Am I crazy to wait and see if it continues, or changes? Or should I call the emergency line? I don't want to be the crazy PG lady that calls all of the time, but I also know I'm 37, with a hx of loss & carrying twins.

kittenmittens9

I don't think you're crazy either way. If it makes DH feel better and gives you piece of mind then I think it's okay to call. I'm sure no one on call is going to give you a hard time considering your history.

And really, we get to be the crazy pregnant lady. My husband told me to enjoy that while it lasts

pblge

Personally, if it's brown and light, I wouldn't call. I would wait to see if it got worse or was still happening tomorrow morning. But I don't think it's wrong to call either.

Hope it stops soon!!

gsancho

If it's light/brown and doesn't get heavier, I'd call first thing in the morning.  But given your history and having twins, I don't think they'll see you as the crazy lady if you called today.  Hopefully it just goes away or stays as is!

FishyMom

I hope you are doing ok. Did you call the OB. I don't think you should hesitate to call if you are concerned.

southernyankeegirl

AMShark said:

i don't want to be the crazy PG lady that calls all of the time, but I also know I'm 37, with a hx of loss & carrying twins.

I have a hard time being a "problem patient", too. I think we just want everything to be easy and not be nervous wrecks. But everything quoted here - you deserve to call that phone number for any question you have. Seriously, anything pregnancy related at all. Bleeding of any sort especially! Take care of those babies and don't be afraid to let Mama Bear out if needed to protect your cubs!

Hope it goes away!!!

AMShark

Thanks for all of the support & feedback. I decided to wait it out, observe & call Monday morning instead.

The spotting got lighter during the day, to the point where I think it disappeared, so that was very encouraging. Really hoping it doesn't return today.

*** eta: posted too early

bears1011

@AMShark - I am only 4 wks 4 days, just had my second beta today and it increased at a great rate. i had some pink/brown spotting last thursday and friday, then it went away. then yesterday afternoon i had bright red when i peed. i spotted red a little bit for another 30 mins, but then it changed to brown. i had some brown from overnight, a little this morning but it seems to be tapering off. of course i freaked yesterday and was so nervous for my beta this morning and was shocked when i got the call that it was so high. i asked the nurse about the spotting and she said it could just be from the progesterone suppositories and to not stick the applicator in as far since the cervix is much more friable right now. she also said it could be delayed implantation bleeding as the embryo implants deeper. SO i totally understand your worries and i'm trying to not worry and think positively. it's really hard...after going through such a tough and long journey, it's only natural to worry at everything!! i just keep telling myself that spotting isn't uncommon and that it doesn't automatically mean it's bad.