Am I worrying too much?

Pinkgirl42 · December 2015

Hello, I'm estimating I'm 8 weeks today. We just got a positive (well four lol) last week and I made a doctor appointment, the soonest I can get seen is the 17th. My main concern- and maybe I've been reading too many pregnancy horror stories is that I've had a cramping in what I feel like would be my ovaries, on each side randomly throughout the day, but primarily on my right side. Occasionally it's up a little higher or lower into my groin, and then I'll have what feels like menstrual cramps in the center. It's not constant, mostly when I'm driving or standing for a little while or at night. This would be my second pregnancy, the first one I lost. I wouldn't say the pain is severe, or stabbing although sometimes it is uncomfortable and noticeable and no spotting, dizziness. Other than that everything feels normal (headaches, lower back pain, a little nausea, and my breasts are really swollen and painful). Am I just freaking myself out? Or should we go to urgent care/emergency to make sure it isn't ectopic or something else that's wrong? I read a lot of different things, one person will say the pain would be excruciating the next says it's off and on and not that bad. Any advice is appreciated.

RB777 · December 2015

I would call your doctor and see what they suggest. I'm 5 weeks today and have been bleeding lightly off and on but no cramping so I called them and they are having me go get my hcg, progesterone, and estrogen tested every other day to make sure the numbers rise appropriately and then they are going to do an ultrasound on Monday. I would think they may do something similar due to cramping?

tripledaggerWed95976 · December 2015

Unfortunately there are no real answers to these questions. Some people get a lot of cramping/pains early on, whereas others get none. Cramping doesn't necessarily mean anything is wrong, but in some cases it can mean something is wrong. The only thing you can do is wait it out or if you are very concerned you can call your OB again. If you have cramping AND bleeding then I would call your OB. Best of luck!

goldie987 · December 2015

You said it alternates between your ovaries focusing more on one side which makes me think it's just normal cramping. I may be wrong here but if you are estimating 8 weeks gestation and it were ectopic, you would be in much more pain than just cramps. I would still give your doctor a call and see what they say, always better to be safe than sorry, but it sounds a lot like the cramps I had for a few weeks after I found out I was pregnant.

Jyoung327 · December 2015

So I had an ectopic rupture and lost my right tube. The whole pregnancy was off from the get. My numbers didn't rise right (so have you had betas drawn???) And I started having spotting to light bleeding pretty constantly. Once I went to the er and because it was still early and my numbers low, they wouldn't do an ultrasound bc nothing would have shown up on it.

Weeks later when I still wasn't sure if I was a slow to rise hcg, miscarriage, or ectopic, my RE did an ultrasound and nothing was found in my ute so they assumed ectopic and gave me methotrexate. 3 weeks later the pain started coming and going every other day but I would black out, it was always the right side, and the day it actually ruptured was so much more painful than the previous few days. It also was accompanied by sharp pains in my shoulder and an inability to breathe bc of all the pooling blood in my abdomen pushing on my diaphragm. That took days though and I was told my experience was not the norm, my tube was like a dam that was fraying and then clotting up again.

If you have pain on both sides I'm not sure what to make of that. In my current pregnancy I've had cramping off and on since the beginning which many will tell you is normal- theres a lot of stretching going on in there. If you have no bleeding and don't know what your hcg levels are I'm not sure what the er would tell you- my first stop would be a lab draw. And you are assuming 8 weeks you said- what are you basing that off of? Best of luck.

Eta: since I took methotrexate I thought the pregnancy was done and attributed my pain to kidney stones- that's actually what I went to the er for the last time, so that's where my pain was (like near appendix to side).

sarahufl · December 2015

I had an ectopic in March, and like PP said- there was something always a bit off. I had light spotting the day my period was due, but then it never came, so I took a pregnancy test, which said positive. Then, about 10 days later, I had spotting again, but right after sex, so my OB said it was normal. But I felt like something was wrong, because about 2 days before the spotting started, I had HORRIBLE cramping for about 20 minutes (not period style, much worse). So I insisted on a sonogram, which revealed nothing in my uterus. Beta draws revealed HCG/progesterone rise, but not what it should be.

I got treated with Methotrexate on a Friday. But Monday afternoon, I had really bad cramping off and on (which I attributed to the shot), but woke up around 1am vomiting and cramping so bad I could hardly walk. So off to the ER we went. A sono revealed internal bleeding and I lost my left tube.

Good news is, as soon as we were cleared to try again, I got pregnant on the first shot, apparently a missing tube doesn't diminish your fertility, which sort of blew me away.

If you have a history of loss, you may want to insist on further look (I am so grateful I did, even after being "assured" that the spotting was normal). Urgent care isn't always your best option because a lot of them don't actually have sonogram machines, so call first if that is the route you are taking. If anything, I would go to your doctor, since it isn't quite at the point where I think you should go to the ER.

Another random symptom of ectopics is actually shoulder pain.

Full disclosure- I am not a doctor and this is merely based on my own personal experience. Good luck, I hope you are ok!

Pinkgirl42 · December 2015

Thank you all, the 8 week estimation is based off of my last menstrual cycle since I can't see doctor until the 17th. I guess I will wait and try to relax. Maybe I'm just freaking myself out. If it gets worse I will go to the ER. I guess I'm just reading too much into it, kinda like when you're sick and Google your symptoms only to find the worst possible disease.

Jyoung327 · December 2015

@pinkgirl42 You might not get in to see the doctor until then but are you/have you gotten blood work to see your beta hcg levels? The proper rise in two day samples of hcg could indicate if it is ectopic or not. For example, mine was low to start, at 50 something, then did double to 150, but because they stayed low, they wanted a third draw, which was only 250. At the time they said it could still rise normally, but then later when I started bleeding more bloodwork showed my numbers dropped, then went back up to 600, then 900, all of which were not normal.

Also, I'm not sure how your doctor office works but my first appointments with the two pregnancies that did go further (not the ectopic) they just checked for a heart beat and felt uterus and mostly talked. My last one I also got a physical because it was time. I wouldn't go in expecting an ultrasound, which is why if you get bloodwork or call the doc, they may realize if something weird is going on or not to get an ultrasound ordered.

Bigboobsmcgee · December 2015

Pinkgirl42 said:

Thank you all, the 8 week estimation is based off of my last menstrual cycle since I can't see doctor until the 17th. I guess I will wait and try to relax. Maybe I'm just freaking myself out. If it gets worse I will go to the ER. I guess I'm just reading too much into it, kinda like when you're sick and Google your symptoms only to find the worst possible disease.

I did the same thing with my first pregnancy and always assumed the worst. FWIW, I had menstrual type cramps in the beginning of both of my pregnancies and everything turned out fine. Try to relax if that's even possible

Pinkgirl42 · December 2015

Ended up going to the er, the pain worsened and of course when I got there it subsided. They did an ultrasound and saw the gestational and yolk, but no fetus. So either my timing was off or something is abnormal. I'm keeping my dec. 17th appointment and hoping that I was just off on timing. ER doc said he couldn't rule out ectopic? But isn't the presence of gestational and yolk sac a good thing, meaning it isn't tubal? Of course I freaked out and started bawling my eyes out, just really scared I guess but trying to stay calm and not stress out. He gave me no other information other than to follow up with a doctor and told me I could go home, so I think I'm going to wait for my appointment I already made. I appreciate all of your replies!!

sarahufl · December 2015

Pinkgirl42 said:

Ended up going to the er, the pain worsened and of course when I got there it subsided. They did an ultrasound and saw the gestational and yolk, but no fetus. So either my timing was off or something is abnormal. I'm keeping my dec. 17th appointment and hoping that I was just off on timing. ER doc said he couldn't rule out ectopic? But isn't the presence of gestational and yolk sac a good thing, meaning it isn't tubal? Of course I freaked out and started bawling my eyes out, just really scared I guess but trying to stay calm and not stress out. He gave me no other information other than to follow up with a doctor and told me I could go home, so I think I'm going to wait for my appointment I already made. I appreciate all of your replies!!

Sorry for the bad news. But yes, I believe (again, not a doctor) that the sac is a good (?) sign. With an ectopic, nothing ever makes it down the tube so your uterus is empty. The problem with going to the ER is that an ER doc won't be able to tell you the same stuff your OB will. When I got my first sonogram with my ectopic, I left with no answers. Because the ultrasound folks are just trained to look for certain things- and they weren't there, but there wasn't anything else for them to see, so they said "sorry, we don't know". Took over a week to figure it all out. It was a fairly crappy week.

I know how sad/scared you must be. Stay home and be sad if you can.

e&a+momma · December 2015

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Parker16772 · December 2015

Sorry you didn't get good news but just keep in mind that things are changing very quickly at this point in your pregnancy and you are more than likely just earlier than you thought. It's hard to get an exact date if you are tempting to know exactly when you are ovulating. The first time I went to the OB I thought I was further along but I only measure 5 weeks and all we could see was the sac. A week later there was a baby with a heartbeat. Don't loss hope yet.

Pinkgirl42 · December 2015

I am still leaving some hope that I was just wrong on timing since for the past four years, my cycles have been pretty irregular sometimes going 6 months without a period. May be a long shot, but it may not be. I called this morning and doc wants to see me monday, he got records from the ER and wants to check levels and do another u/s. We are hoping for good news, but are prepared for the worst.

Jyoung327 · December 2015

Good luck @pinkgirl42 . I know the waiting really sucks- it took over a month for me to finally know what was going on. Hopefully you have a clear answer one way or the other very soon and fingers crossed its the good kind of news.

DrillSergeantCat · December 2015

I was told that menstrual-like cramps are normal. Drink more water. Try not to psych yourself out. As long as you're not bleeding bright, red blood, everything is likely fine.

Pinkgirl42 · December 2015

Thank you all, I'm not bleeding as of yet so I will take that as a good sign for now. No cramping other than the ovarian pain on my right side that comes and goes. Able to use the bathroom and eat and drink normally which is also good I guess. Thank you all for the support and advice, it is very much appreciated. My older sister will be accompanying me to my doctor appointment Monday since my boyfriend will be unable to get out of work. Praying and crossing my fingers that all is well and it's just still too early to see baby.

DisneyIsabelle · December 2015

Have you called the ob again and let them know what's happening, they should get you in right away if suspect an issue

Pinkgirl42 · December 2015

Got a second ultrasound with the doctor, and there was growth! Another appointment

Pinkgirl42 · December 2015

Oops, another appointment in 2 weeks, they are saying I'm a little over 5 weeks at this point. I was way off!!!!

mollypuss1 · December 2015

Pinkgirl42 said:
Ended up going to the er, the pain worsened and of course when I got there it subsided. They did an ultrasound and saw the gestational and yolk, but no fetus. So either my timing was off or something is abnormal. I'm keeping my dec. 17th appointment and hoping that I was just off on timing. ER doc said he couldn't rule out ectopic? But isn't the presence of gestational and yolk sac a good thing, meaning it isn't tubal? Of course I freaked out and started bawling my eyes out, just really scared I guess but trying to stay calm and not stress out. He gave me no other information other than to follow up with a doctor and told me I could go home, so I think I'm going to wait for my appointment I already made. I appreciate all of your replies!!

My first pregnancy was ectopic so for my second I was given an ultrasound at 6 weeks to check. They tech said she saw everything she would expect for 6 weeks in the right place but she also said she still couldn't rule out an ectopic. I asked her why and she said they have to say that in case two eggs were released and there was still one in one of the tubes but she also said she had never known that happen in 20 years of being a tech. I assume/hope this is why the ER doc said the same to you.

mollypuss1 · December 2015

Just to add, with my ectopic I had no cramping just bleeding which I thought was my period and I didn't actually know I was pregnant until I was being rushed into surgery to have my tube removed after passing out from low blood pressure. With my second pregnancy I had quite a bit of cramping at the beginning and everything turned out fine so cramping can be normal. Try not to worry too much which I know is easier said than done.

PrimRoseMama · December 2015

Pinkgirl42 said:

Oops, another appointment in 2 weeks, they are saying I'm a little over 5 weeks at this point. I was way off!!!!

I'm glad your little bean is growing and that your dates were just off. Best wishes on the rest of your pregnancy.

Pinkgirl42 · December 2015

@mollypuss1 they found the gestational and yolk sac in the uterus, it grew since ER trip. I have another appointment in 2 weeks for another ultrasound.

No ectopic thank the lord. Thank you for your reply!

sarahufl · December 2015

Pinkgirl42 said:

@mollypuss1 they found the gestational and yolk sac in the uterus, it grew since ER trip. I have another appointment in 2 weeks for another ultrasound. No ectopic thank the lord. Thank you for your reply!

oh, that's great news!

Pinkgirl42 · December 2015

@sarahufl it is! I'm hoping to see serious changes at the 2 week appointment.

kcolly32 · December 2015

@Pinkgirl42 so glad everything is looking well! Maybe the cramping in the ovary might be from a corpus luteum cyst. I had no idea this was even a thing until mine ruptured and I ended up in the ED. While I was told this is common, most women that do have this usually don't have it rupture. From what I've read it can cause some pain in the ovary that ovulated. Maybe that's what's causing some cramping, either way you aren't having a ectopic so that's all good news!

Pinkgirl42 · December 2015

So when I went in for my ultrasound with the doctor he said I had a few small cysts on each ovary. Not sure if maybe that's what it was. I have had prior issues with cysts and other issues - had a lap surgery last year for endometriosis so who knows what's going on there lol. It has subsided now and I just have minor discomfort and minor twinges/cramps, so I take it as a good thing!!!

Pinkgirl42 · December 2015

Not feeling optimistic anymore as I started having brown dishcharge a couple hours ago. No cramps yet but will be making a doctor's appointment or at least calling to see if I can get seen earlier.

ambercakes92 · December 2015

Pinkgirl42 said:
So when I went in for my ultrasound with the doctor he said I had a few small cysts on each ovary. Not sure if maybe that's what it was. I have had prior issues with cysts and other issues - had a lap surgery last year for endometriosis so who knows what's going on there lol. It has subsided now and I just have minor discomfort and minor twinges/cramps, so I take it as a good thing!!!

Pinkgirl42 said:
Not feeling optimistic anymore as I started having brown dishcharge a couple hours ago. No cramps yet but will be making a doctor's appointment or at least calling to see if I can get seen earlier.

Hoping the best for you.

Pinkgirl42 · December 2015

Thank you, since it isn't red/pink, heavy or crampy I'm going to assume it's ok for now. Called doctor and they said it's fine and to come in next week so we will see. I haven't gotten my hopes up this whole time so I don't get too heartbroken.

ninji15 · December 2015

Pinkgirl42 said:

Thank you, since it isn't red/pink, heavy or crampy I'm going to assume it's ok for now. Called doctor and they said it's fine and to come in next week so we will see. I haven't gotten my hopes up this whole time so I don't get too heartbroken.

I had this around the same week as you. It turned out to be like, period blood. My body was prep-ing for a period and I ovulated late. So my body had to get rid of it eventually.

Try not to freak, but I know its harder to do than anyone will ever know.

DrillSergeantCat · December 2015

@Pinkgirl42 please let us know what they say.

Pinkgirl42 · December 2015

@ninji15 I don't know if that it what is happening or if that could be it, my cycles are all over the place so the fact I even ended up pregnant is a miracle to me. It hasn't changed to red just still watery brown and not enough to even see on my panties (sorry,TMI) so I don't know what it could be, and it wasn't a lot either. But the fact of it being old blood makes me not worry as much. I remember him asking at my first appointment if I'd had any bleeding or spotting and I said the only time I saw anything was a little bit of pink about 3-4 weeks ago, he said that was good but if I do it isn't considered normal but it is common. Yesterday I called and the advice nurse asked if I'd had intercourse, which I haven't for almost a week... not sure I even want to at all now lol. She told me it's common and to keep the appointment the same. So I shall.

At this point I am just preparing for the worst but hoping for the best.

@DrillSergeantCat I will update no matter what the outcome, just hoping it isn't bad news.

Pinkgirl42 · January 2016

@DrillSergeantCat saw baby and heard the heartbeat. All looks well and they said I measure at 8 weeks 2 days, and my EDD is August 10th 2016.

Pinkgirl42 · January 2016

@DrillSergeantCat saw baby and heard the heartbeat. All looks well and they said I measure at 8 weeks 2 days, and my EDD is August 10th 2016.

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