Question for women who have been pregnant

[Mrs. Bob Loblaw]

I am around 6 weeks pregnant. I'm 35 and never thought I could have children naturally. My husband had testicular cancer and our chances of conceiving were pretty low. We tried for years, without success. We moved to Las Vegas for new jobs and I got pregnant right away.

Today and yesterday, I've had some minor cramping and I just started bleeding very lightly. I'm terrified of a miscarriage and the statistics for my age make me worry even more.

Our new insurance doesn't start until September 1. My first Dr. appointment is on Sept. 5. Our old insurance has told us we aren't covered by any doctors out here, so I can't see a doctor until then. We also don't get a paycheck until Sept. 10, so we're really broke in the meantime (recovering from moving expenses and buying a house). Seeing a doctor now just isn't possible.

Anyone have any advice? I feel ridiculous looking to the internet for answers, but I feel I have no options and am hoping others have been through it and had a healthy baby in the end.

 

[ktaggie]

ER has to see you. But honestly I would lay down and stay in bed a few days to see what happens. If it worsens then ER

 

[auralia]

There really isn't anything a doctor can do for you anyway unless you are bleeding very heavily. Of pregnancies with bleeding 50% will end in miscarriage and 50% will result in a healthy birth. I didn't bleed at all with my daughter, but with my son i bled lightly on and off from weeks 6 to 10 and he is now 2 years old. Possible sub chronic hemorrhage in my case, but if you are around week 6 or 7 it could just be implantation bleeding too.

The only thing a doctor could do would be if the bleeding is caused by low progesterone give you a progesterone supplement. But probably all that would happen is a blood test, ultrasound and a big doctors bill when they send you home telling you to wait it out.

If you bleed enough to fill more than a pad in an hour then you need to go in, otherwise go with your gut.

 

[robinb]

I am around 6 weeks pregnant. I'm 35 and never thought I could have children naturally. My husband had testicular cancer and our chances of conceiving were pretty low. We tried for years, without success. We moved to Las Vegas for new jobs and I got pregnant right away.

Today and yesterday, I've had some minor cramping and I just started bleeding very lightly. I'm terrified of a miscarriage and the statistics for my age make me worry even more.

Our new insurance doesn't start until September 1. My first Dr. appointment is on Sept. 5. Our old insurance has told us we aren't covered by any doctors out here, so I can't see a doctor until then. We also don't get a paycheck until Sept. 10, so we're really broke in the meantime (recovering from moving expenses and buying a house). Seeing a doctor now just isn't possible.

Anyone have any advice? I feel ridiculous looking to the internet for answers, but I feel I have no options and am hoping others have been through it and had a healthy baby in the end.

Ah, hugs {{hugs}}. IIRC, light cramping and bleeding is quite common around 6 weeks. If you are going to lose the pregnancy (and I hope you don't!) there is nothing that the doctor can do about it so early in your pregnancy so seeing a doctor is a waste of time as s/he will simply tell you to wait it out anyway. I hope that this is just a little bump in the road and good, strong baby vibes are going out to you!

 

[mirage0306]

Hey, try to relax--easier said than done, I know. It is not abnormal to have some minor bleeding early on, and cramping is also normal. Things are settling down in there and there can be a lot of reasons you might see light bleeding that do not mean you are miscarrying. I did not experience it, but I do know of several women who even had heavier bleeding and learned they were carrying a perfectly healthy fetus.

I agree with the others that unfortunately if you are going to lose the pregnancy, there is nothing that can be done. But your symptoms don't mean that you are miscarrying--not at all. I hope you can take it easy for awhile, rest, and that your bleeding goes away.

 

[aaarcher86]

ER has to see you. But honestly I would lay down and stay in bed a few days to see what happens. If it worsens then ER

I'd agree with this. Your uterus has been the same size for a very long time. Minor discomfort and small amounts of spotting is normal.

If it get s worse go to the ER. They can't refuse you and you can apply for assistance through them if you qualify to reduce the bills.

 

[MissHippy]

Hugs to you. I know how terrified you must be feeling. I had cramping with my DD (now 15, IVF pregnancy). I remember that fear that something was wrong, but my doctor told me cramping and light bleeding is pretty common early on. He also said unless it's bright red blood it's not usually a huge concern...I'd just try and rest up and if you are still worried, head to the ER..Goodluck

 

[zuzu310]

I know how scary it is because I miscarried a baby this year at 6 weeks. I am 32. There is a big difference between some light spotting that comes and goes and bleeding that is almost like menstrual bleeding and only gets heavier. When I started miscarrying, I had bleeding that was not just spotting and also menstrual like cramps that accompanied it. I went to ER because I am at a higher risk for ectopic pregnancy d/t some other health concerns but honestly once I started there was nothing they could do for me. It just had to finish on its own. Now if you have excruciating pain on one side or the other defn go to the ER. That could be ectopic. The great news is that after my miscarriage, I had a period the next month, and got pregnant again the month after. Apparently, having a miscarriage can prime your body for another pregnancy if that is what happens. As for being 35, I know lots of women who have had babies at that age or later and I really don't think your age has much affect on miscarriage.

 

[DanieD0909]

I hope it works for you!!! You must be so scared - and man, google can sometimes just make it even worse.

I have a 10 month old now and last year when I was pregnant I had light spotting at least once a week from the 2nd-6th months. I was worried too but it turned out to be nothing. When wiping the tissue was stained, rarely my panties. Hope that helps give you an idea if how much. I wish you the best!!! Good luck!!!!

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

My daughter in law had similar and the placenta just wasn't up out of the way. Placenta privia (sp). Not abrupted (sp). She went 8 month term but the bleeding was from that problem. She even was able to work.

Hope you feel better in the morning. Also, nearly every community has a women's health care for uninsured pregnant women. Maybe they can do an ultra sound and exam at little to no fee.

 

[Gracie09]

I woul see if there is a planned parenthood or other women's clinic in the are. Contrary to popular belief pp does provide services besides birth control

 

[Elleshoodat]

I know how scary it is because I miscarried a baby this year at 6 weeks. I am 32. There is a big difference between some light spotting that comes and goes and bleeding that is almost like menstrual bleeding and only gets heavier. When I started miscarrying, I had bleeding that was not just spotting and also menstrual like cramps that accompanied it. I went to ER because I am at a higher risk for ectopic pregnancy d/t some other health concerns but honestly once I started there was nothing they could do for me. It just had to finish on its own. Now if you have excruciating pain on one side or the other defn go to the ER. That could be ectopic. The great news is that after my miscarriage, I had a period the next month, and got pregnant again the month after. Apparently, having a miscarriage can prime your body for another pregnancy if that is what happens. As for being 35, I know lots of women who have had babies at that age or later and I really don't think your age has much affect on miscarriage.

This is my story, too, except it took me 10 months to get pregnant again.

When I suspected I was miscarrying, I called my doctor's office and they told me to go to the ER. I wish I hadn't. A miscarriage is a terrible thing to experience, and I wish I'd been able to go through it in the comfort of my home rather than the hospital.

I hope you are only having implantation bleeding, OP. My thoughts are with you!

 

[RedHeadedFairy]

We tried for years to get pregnant and were finally successful after 2 years of seeing a fertility specialist. I had the same thing happen to me that you are experiencing right now, at about the same point in my pregnancy. It scared the crap out of me but turned our to be a normal, minor issue. After all the years of trying though, my immediate reaction was to freak out... I think that's totally normal.

Sending you lots of prayers and positive thoughts today OP, I'm sure what your are experiencing is normal and temporary, albeit scary. (((hugs))))

 

[mcuoghi]

I agree with going to planned parenthood. Before i had insurance I would go there for my yearly exams. They use a sliding scale for payments if I remember correctly. They'll be able to help and definitely put your mind at ease.

 

[SEA333]

I have three kids, and I spotted and had cramps with all three of them at about 5-6 weeks. My Dr. told me it was completely normal, and a lot of woman used to confuse this spotting/cramping with a light period way back before pregnancy tests allowed us to know we were pregnant so early. The average time before finding out used to be more like 8-10 weeks, and now it is 4-6.

Also, in case you didn't know, the week counting actually starts two weeks BEFORE you are actually pregnant, so at 6 weeks, you have actually only been pregnant for 4, and the embryo could just be implanting a little later (or you might be earlier along than you thought), which can cause spotting and cramping. The implantation usually happens around week 4-5, actual fertilization happens around week 2, and week zero and 1 are the two weeks before you are actually pregnant, but is counted because we count from the first day of our last period, two whole weeks before we ovulate and have the egg fertilized!

If you can, take it easy and rest with your feet up as much as possible for the next couple weeks until you can see the DR. The first thing they will do is probably an ultrasound to detect a heartbeat - they can see a heartbeat via internal US at about 6 weeks.

Good luck! Try not to worry until then

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I had spotting at 8 weeks and had a healthy baby 2 weeks ago. A lot of things can cause it. If it isa miscarriage, there isn't anything the doctor can do. Some might try progesterone, but at 6 weeks many doctors will just let it go, because it is the body's way of getting rid of an embryo that probably wasn't healthy. They won't give progesterone until there is a history of chemical pregnancy/miscarriage.

In the old days, before early pregnancy tests, women didn't even know they were pregnant until later so they would have just assumes this was a late period, not a chemical pregnancy.

I do feel your pain and anxiety, I lived it too. And the facts about losing pregnancies this early aren't helpful. But all you can do is rest and hope for the best. I had a success story, you can too.

 

[trewin]

Though I haven't experienced it, two close family members of mine have. One spotted with two pregnancies early on. And the other did with 3 pregnancies. So I'd say it is really common. I think Cramping can be from your uterus stretching? Especially if this is your first pregnancy.
August is almost Half over, I wouldn't goto ER unless you are having a miscarriage or heavy spotting. Maybe even call doctors office, explain insurance situation to nurse, they might just answer questions Or tell you when to goto ER. September will be here before you know...Congrats and best of luck!

 

[ThreeRingCircus]

I'm sorry you are going through this. I had bleeding with both of my DDs are they are now healthy happy little girls. I went to the ER for bleeding with ODD and was told they really couldn't do anything for me. The one thing they do do was give me a rhogam shot because I am RH- and DH is RH+. If the bleeding was from the baby it could be trouble for me later without the rhogam.

 

[pixiedustmomma]

I am sorry you are going through this. I am currently 14 weeks and last November I had a missed miscarriage. At around six weeks I started spotting and it freaked me out. The most my doctor did was send me to get my hcg levels checked out and give me Rhogam shot. I needed the shot if it was a miscarriage. When my hcg levels came back high they did an ultrasound.

It is normal to have light bleeding and some cramping in early pregnancy. Try to relax and take it easy.

 

[RachSal]

I'm so sorry you are dealing with this. Many women have spotting and cramping early on. The best thing to do at this point is rest and drink water. I know my cousin was having a hard time maintaining pregnancies and was told to take a baby aspirin every day, but I don't know if I would do that without a doctor's advice.
Even if you had a Dr already they wouldn't be able to do much at this point. If you really feel like you are loosing a lot of blood (much more than a period) you might go to the ER. I hope and pray for this to be a healthy pregnancy for you!