20 Weeks and Frustrated

rdilts · August 2015

So I have had some spotting on and off since 12 weeks. The doctor keeps saying that it is due to intercourse but me and my husband only have sex about once a week and I will start spotting on days that we didn't. So on Friday, we did have sex and there was more blood and then spotting after, but this time the spotting didn't stop. It is now 6 days later and I am still spotting, but on Tuesday night I started to have cramps too. I called the Doc yet again and he said that everything is fine and that is normal and probably just my round ligaments stretching. He had me go in for my ultrasound early, which everything was normal and perfect. But it is now Thursday and I am still spotting and cramping. I have tried everything to make the cramping stop including taking the day off of work yesterday and resting all day, drinking plenty of water but those things didn't work.

What now? Could it be an infection? Is it normal to spot? Is this happening to anyone else?

taysun · August 2015

Some women have spotting throughout their pregnancies. Usually it's only a concern if you're filling a pad an hour and accompanied by heavy cramping. If you're really concerned, call your doctor and insist on an appointment, but be prepared for there to be no apparent cause as its often difficult to pinpoint the cause of spotting.

Taylovesbrad · August 2015

I think it's super common. I would have a hard time not worrying but try to trust your doc. Glad everything was normal on the scan.

fmraglio · August 2015

In my family a lot of women spot throughout their pregnancy. In fact a lot of us find out super late into our pregnancies because of it. It's not necessarily genetic, but can be. If you are just spotting and not filling a pad or clotting lime PP said then you should be fine. I haven't had spotting since the first tri but I do get terrible cramps that feel like period cramps and so far everything has been great with my baby girl. I wouldn't worry too much about it but I understand that's easier said than done.

rdilts · August 2015

The cramps are like period cramps for sure. Almost like I am about to start my period and the spotting and cramps together just make me real nervous. Is there anyway to stop the cramping? I am having a hard time not worrying. I am even scared at this point to have sex (even though I really want to). Thanks for the support ladies!

casicatalana · August 2015

Sounds like your doctor isn't too worried and since you've had a recent check-up to confirm that all is well then I would try not to worry.

Mizuiro007 · August 2015

I've had some spotting with this pregnancy but like others have said it doesn't go past spotting so I've tried not to worry. I remember with my previous pregnancy I had a lot of cramping. I tried to keep track of it in my journal to see if there was anything triggering it. We finally figured out with the pattern that it was growing pain. I would have it about the same time every week. I'd feel fine, suddenly feel exhausted and super crampy for a few days, then I'd feel fine again and very hungry. It started around 20 weeks. Maybe it's this and the spotting is an unfortunate coincidence?

If you really keep feeling nervous and feel like the doctor isn't addressing your concerns, maybe you could try seeing another doctor in the practice? I find some doctors are better than others about explaining things in a way that's more calming.

*Wanted to add, if there are multiple doctors in the practice it wouldn't hurt to see another anyway incase yours is out when you deliver and another is there covering.

Whovian84 · August 2015

As PP have said, spotting during pregnancy is normal. However, look for an increase in the amount blood and clotting. Those are likely bad signs that warrant a trip to the doc or ER. During my 3 m/c the cramping was a very heavy, deep ache, like the worst period cramps. The cramping going on right now seems to be more on the muscular level and not as deep from everything expanding.

Also, I had bright red blood from sex that lasted a few days but eventually tapered off and it was super scary. My doc said that if I bleed after sex to abstain for a few weeks to let everything heal up. I would imagine that it's possible you could be re-tearing.

Good luck, I hope everything turns around.

fiorip · August 2015

I don't want to worry you but I would get a second opinion. I had on and off spotting from week 4 until around week 13, after that I had a smooth ride until week 20 when I started to have mucus like discharge, I called the Ob and she didn't seem worried since there's usually an increase of vaginal discharge, after two days I started cramping, which the Ob thought was just round ligament pain and wasn't concerned either, I was told to drink lots of fluids and rest as much as possible, I stayed mostly in bed through the weekend. Monday morning I noticed the fluid had gone from clear to pink, I called the Ob and again, told me to rest, stay hydrated and avoid sex (which we hadn't have in about a week). Around noon pain got stronger and closer together, I called her one more time and got the same information, she told me, you might be a doctor but you're not an Ob and you haven't given birth, try not to worry too much.

By 5 pm pain was strong enough for me to panic and I called my husband, we went to the ER and called her, she called the ER and talked to the doctor there and asked her to assess whether I was having contractions or not. Pain was then every 20 min, she insisted I wasn't having contractions and assured me that was probably the baby moving causing the pain, I went to urinate and noticed the pink fluid again, I called the ER doctor to come see, she said that it was not blood, that I probably just had an infection. She put an IV and gave me some pain medication, ordered an urine test and blood work. Pain didn't stop at all, it got stronger and was now every 5 mins. I started bleeding, that's when the ER doctor seem to have gotten worried and called and Ob on call to check me, I was fully dilated and membranes were out, I was in full labor and from that point nothing could be done to stop it. They gave me contraction inhibitors but it was too late. By 10 or 11 pm, I lost track of time, I delivered my baby at 21 weeks. A perfectly healthy baby I had just seen that morning on an ultrasound, a baby that had a 140 heartbeat at 9 pm.

I sensed from the beginning something wasn't right but I trusted my Ob, I didn't listen to my instict. Maybe he wasn't going to make it anyways, maybe if I had received better care I'd be hospitalized trying to take him to term or a few more weeks enough for him to survive, we'll never know. What I do know is that sometimes doctors just assume it's nothing because most of the times it is, but sometimes comes a patient who actually needs immediate attention.

If you are concerned, listen to your body and please see another doctor if necessary. Until the last couple of hours, my case seemed like nothing to more than one doctor and I was too scared to contradict any of them.

koala1107 · August 2015

@fiorip your story breaks my heart. You're incredibly strong to still be hanging around this site giving advice. I hope you're able to keep your spirits up, I've been thinking about you and your family.

To the OP, as others have said it's likely nothing of concern, but I would personally insist on being seen for peace of mind. Hoping for the best for you!

fiorip · August 2015

@koala1107 thank you, I come to read supporting words that encourage me everyday, I know I said I wouldn't be active but when I see posts like this, all those feelings I had come back and I wish I could turn back time. As hurt as I am, if my story can help just one woman then my baby didn't die in vain. I don't wish this upon anyone.

rdilts · August 2015

@fiorip Thank you for your story, I can't imagine what it was like for you. I am concerned that I am having contractions right now and that is why this is happening. With my oldest daughter, I had preterm labor since 5 1/2 months and if I didn't have a good doctor to say bring me in to the ER I wouldn't have my little girl today. She is now 12. I went in and I was 3 cm and they stopped my labor. Then they put me on bed rest and checked me every week to make sure that I didn't go back into labor. I ended up having her early but by then I was 35 weeks and she ended up healthy. This is what I am worried about with this one. I don't really like my doctor either so I decided before this started to happen that I would switch doctors. I see my new doctor in 3 weeks. Hopefully my symptoms calm down. I asked my doctor when I should become concerned and all they say is if I soak threw a pad within an hour. But what if it is too late by then? I don't know, I guess stressing about it isn't going to help. But here I am 72 hours after the cramping started and I am still cramping and spotting.....

Mizuiro007 · August 2015

rdilts said:
@fiorip Thank you for your story, I can't imagine what it was like for you. I am concerned that I am having contractions right now and that is why this is happening. With my oldest daughter, I had preterm labor since 5 1/2 months and if I didn't have a good doctor to say bring me in to the ER I wouldn't have my little girl today. She is now 12. I went in and I was 3 cm and they stopped my labor. Then they put me on bed rest and checked me every week to make sure that I didn't go back into labor. I ended up having her early but by then I was 35 weeks and she ended up healthy. This is what I am worried about with this one. I don't really like my doctor either so I decided before this started to happen that I would switch doctors. I see my new doctor in 3 weeks. Hopefully my symptoms calm down. I asked my doctor when I should become concerned and all they say is if I soak threw a pad within an hour. But what if it is too late by then? I don't know, I guess stressing about it isn't going to help. But here I am 72 hours after the cramping started and I am still cramping and spotting.....

Under the circumstances have you tried calling the new doctor's office to see if they can fit you in sooner. Even for new patients, most practices will see you sooner if there's a concern like you're having. Especially with a previous history of pre-term labor.

rdilts · August 2015

@Mizuriro007 That isn't such a bad idea. Maybe I can see if they wouldn't mind moving it up to next week or something. They are supposed to be really good according to a friend that went to them. I wish I could go to the doctor that I went to the first time, but now with Highmark and UPMC having the battle that they are in PA my insurance won't cover it and it would be out of network..... I only picked the Doc that I am currently going to because they are really close to where I work so I wouldn't need to take any time off of work.

fiorip · August 2015

Mizuiro007 said:

rdilts said:
@fiorip Thank you for your story, I can't imagine what it was like for you. I am concerned that I am having contractions right now and that is why this is happening. With my oldest daughter, I had preterm labor since 5 1/2 months and if I didn't have a good doctor to say bring me in to the ER I wouldn't have my little girl today. She is now 12. I went in and I was 3 cm and they stopped my labor. Then they put me on bed rest and checked me every week to make sure that I didn't go back into labor. I ended up having her early but by then I was 35 weeks and she ended up healthy. This is what I am worried about with this one. I don't really like my doctor either so I decided before this started to happen that I would switch doctors. I see my new doctor in 3 weeks. Hopefully my symptoms calm down. I asked my doctor when I should become concerned and all they say is if I soak threw a pad within an hour. But what if it is too late by then? I don't know, I guess stressing about it isn't going to help. But here I am 72 hours after the cramping started and I am still cramping and spotting.....
Under the circumstances have you tried calling the new doctor's office to see if they can fit you in sooner. Even for new patients, most practices will see you sooner if there's a concern like you're having. Especially with a previous history of pre-term labor.

I second this, given your previous history I'm even more concern and would call to have them see you sooner.

Mizuiro007 · August 2015

@rdilts It's different circumstances but I understand the insurance frustration well. My husband lost his job back in April and only recently started a new one so all we have until his benefits kick in is medicaid. My son's doctor doesn't take it, even though they're listed as a provider, and we didn't find out until a week before he was due for his last checkup. We would've had to pay out of pocket and definitely cannot afford to.

I called around and found a pediatrician that accepts medicaid, explained the situation and they got him in within a few days.

Frequently there are cancelations and times left open for those emergencies. I would definitely call and hopefully they can get you better care.

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