Spotting 5 Weeks Pregnant

Updated on November 13, 2007
N.R. asks from Ventura, CA
24 answers

I was wondering if anyone else experienced spotting and mild cramps and back pain while 5 weeks pregnant. 4 days ago i started spoting. It is dark brown in color and i have mild cramps too. I saw my OB and he said that there is nothing I can do except to stop lifting anything. I have been taking the fertility drug Clomid for the last 2 months. I have been trying to get pregnant since December. I just was wondering what others expereinced. I dont know if I am miscarrying or this is just simple spotting.

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So What Happened?

Okay so I had an ultrasound on Friday and rushed into surgery that night. I was diagnosed with an ectopic pregnancy that had already started to bleed and was close to rupturing my fallopian tube. They were able to save the tube. I had laprascopic surgery as well as a d&c. Thanks to all that wrote me. Right now I am just trying to heal both physically and emotionally.Knowing that they heard a heartbeat is what has been the hardest part of all.

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M.B.

answers from Sacramento on

I had bleeding & cramping at 5-6 weeks and went on to deliver my son at near term. I was 43 at the time. He was my 4th child and is now 13 years old. Just take it easy for a few days.

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B.B.

answers from San Diego on

Hi N.,
It's really hard to say especially since everyone is different, I had a healthy, normal pregnancy with my now 4 year old, but when he was 5 months old my husband was diagnosed w/ cancer so to have another baby we had to do IUI, I did it once and got pregnant went to the doc. at 9 weeks and had miscarried w/ absalutely No Idea we were shocked. But once again we tried IUI and once again got pregnant, I spotted several different times and had cramps as well as lower back pain, and had ultrasounds done as well as blood work they actually put me on some progesterene my counts were a little low. I am now 16 weeks and everything has been fine. You really can't control what ever happens, just take it easy if you can. Good Luck...

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T.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

I miscarried 2 times and what you are describing is what I experienced. My doc said to stay off my feet, keep them elevated a little and it should go away.. It didn't and the cramps got worse and so did the bleeding.

Hopefully, you aren't, but I just wanted to share my experience with you.

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S.M.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi Nicole, I hope you are well today. I spotted very slightly at around 5 weeks with both my pregnancies. I was told by my midwives that this is often a sign that the fetus is firmly implanting in your uterus. The slight , brownish spotting can happen once or last a couple days. Very mild cramping ( almost like a pinch) is also normal. It may be difficult while you are caring for so many children, but really baby yourself now. Allow yourself plenty of rest, a nap a day if possible. Drink enough water and avoid certain teas. Peppermint tea often used to combat nausea is not good for you early in Preganancy. Try ginger tea or papaya extract instead. Also STAY AWAY from Goldenseal in any form. It can bring on miscarriage especially early in pregnancy. Find and read Birthing from Within. This book is my very favorite book for dealing with the fears around pregnancy. Whatever you do, stay away from "What to Expect When You are E xpecting" which should be titled How to totally freak yourself out and live in fear until your baby turns18" I know you feel worried and nervous. Picture your little one safely snuggled and growing in your nurturing womb. This little angel is doing its work, and you are lovingly providing for everything it needs. Good Luck Nicole.

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L.R.

answers from Sacramento on

Dear N.,
What were you doing before the spotting started? I had some bleeding the during the first trimester after sex and it terrified me. I immediately called my doctor (who is my husband's uncle) and he had me go for an ultrasound. Everything was fine. He told my that some women have some bleeding caused by different things like sex, or even a really strong sneeze. Take it easy and I hope your ultrasound is okay.
Positive thoughts to you,
L.

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H.G.

answers from Fort Collins on

At 5 weeks pregnant, I spotted and had cramps as well - enough so I thought I was having my period until a week later I found out I was pregnant. My doctor also said it was normal and the baby was just "making her home" in there. Good luck!

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B.S.

answers from San Diego on

Don't worry. Totally normal. I had some spotting even into my fourth month with my first child. And I had cramps, sometimes bad like I was on my period.

Not to worry. Good luck

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W.H.

answers from Sacramento on

N.,
I hope your ultrasound goes well. I spotted when I was pregnant 3 yrs ago but I lost the baby it wasn't brown blood but bright red. The doctor told me to go on bedrest but I had already been doing that and only doing what was absolutely necessary such as driving my teenage daughter to school. But I still lost the baby anyway. Now I'm not trying anymore I'm 40 yrs old and just don't want to go through that again.
W. H

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

well, your doctor does not seem alarmed, with you at 5 weeks pregnant. That happened to me, at 6-weeks, and my doctor did a vaginal sonogram/ ultrasound. He did this to check the tiny embryo,and the location of it in the uterus, and yes, I saw it too and the heartbeat. Perhaps you can request this? It could be anything...if you are still worried go back to your doctor... keep an eye on it and take it easy. If it does not go away, (it's been 4 days already?) changes color, new symptoms develop or anything, I would tell your doctor.. .and keep asking. Your doctor should be more attentive to your concerns. I would call him again.
Take care, and good luck!
~Susan
www.cafepress.com/littlegoogoo

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A.A.

answers from San Francisco on

You're body could just be getting rid of old blood. Take it super easy. If you can -- rest. You might be doing too much? I spotted after working in the yard at 6 weeks. As soon as I noticed I layed low and now I have a 8 mo. old.
Just take care of yourself.
:)

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M.W.

answers from Sacramento on

Hi N.,
I started bleeding alot at 7 weeks pregnant. I went to the emergency room and they told me that when the plecenta had attached it hadn't done so correctly so there was a bunch of blood above it that would be coming out gradually. The darker the blood is the older it is. They actually told me that I would lose the baby and there wasn't anything I could do about it. Well I am now 31 weeks pregnant with a little girl so I guess they were wrong. I'm sure that everything will be fine with your pregnancy. Some women just spot and it's normal for them. So don't stress out about it too much (I know that's a really hard thing not to do), but if your doctor says everything is ok I'm sure it is.

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M.C.

answers from Redding on

Hello N.,
Have you had an ultrasound? Unfortunately I was spotting when I got pregnant a year ago, turned out it was an ectopic pregnancy. I am hopeful this is not the case with you, but if you haven't had an utrasound, maybe you should ask for one.
Hoping all is well with your pregnancy, Missy

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T.F.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi N.-

I had spotting with my first pregnancy. As long as the spotting isn't bright red, you don't really have anything to worry about. It made me nervous, but everything was fine. I was also told not to exercise, have intercourse, etc. I actually had spotting for most of my pregnancy due to placenta previa, but that cleared itself too.

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L.P.

answers from San Diego on

I had the same thing happen.My doctor said just to lay down when I started to feel cramping and stay off my feet as much as possible.I was also spotting and got so freaked out I went to the ER but they said everything was fine and that if my husband and I had had sex recently that could cause it.The cramping is just your body re-adjusting to another little person in there.It sucks but I wouldn't worry just get lots of rest.

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K.M.

answers from Sacramento on

Hi there - I had spotting with my second pregnancy, and absolutely none with my first. So, I was scared to death.

The doctor kept an eye on me, and told me to take it easy, as well, but everything turned out fine. I was also told that some women will spot throughout their entire pregnancy.

You didn't mention how much spotting there is, but it always seems like more that there really is. I'm sure if you just take it easy (which is hard to do with an 18 month old!), you should be fine.

Take care,

K.

(Mother of 3 wonderful children, ages 5, 4 and 18 months)

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T.M.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi,

I had light spotting for both my pregnancies (carried my first full term and still pregnant - 6 mo - with my second). As long as it isn't bright red and filing a sanitary pad, it isn't necesarily a sign of miscarriage. Mild cramping can also be common because of all the work and changes being made in your uterus right now. It's scary, so make sure you take it easy, but you be fine. I spotted off and on with my second pregnancy up to 12 weeks.

Good Luck,
T.

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S.P.

answers from Los Angeles on

N., I can totally empathize with what you are going through. I had spotting during both my pregnancies (no Clomid) and have 2 healthy boys. I was told as long as the blood is not bright red it isn't too much to be concerned about, though my best friend, who took Clomid for her 1st 2 pregnancies also had some more serious bleeding than I in her 2nd and he was born perfectly healthy as well.
As difficult as it is, take it easy and try not to worry.
Take care!

S.

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S.R.

answers from San Francisco on

I had spotting all throughout my first trimester and I delivered a healthy baby boy with no complications. At the time I freaked out (of course), and I went to the ER on several occasions just to make sure everything was okay. I was told by my dr's that some women spot throughout pregnancy, and some women even have bleeding like a period. It's extremely stressfull, I know - especially because you don't know if you could be miscarrying. Just make sure you are taking good care of yourself by eating well, getting enough rest, not lifting anything heavy, etc. And if you start to freak out, by all means call the doctor. That's what they're there for, and the reassurance that everything is okay is worth it's weight in gold.

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R.W.

answers from San Francisco on

HI N.,

Congratulations on your pregnancy. I did the exact same thing that you are describing at about the same time during my pregnancy. I did not miscarry and it was an off and on thing for about a week then stopped as suddenly as it started. Do everything that the MD tells you to do. I believe that they call this "implanting". It is the embryo embedding itself into the lining of the uterus and the development of the placenta that can cause this spotting. Good luck and let us know how it is going.

R.

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T.H.

answers from Sacramento on

Hi Nicole,

I too was spotting at 7 weeks during my pregnancy and I was ok. I was on several fertility dugs and I produced several follicles and they were just bleeding out. My doctor completed an ultrasound and I was able to see the active heart beats (twins) and I felt reassured. I did bleed for several weeks – I went in every week to make sure they were ok until the bleeding stopped. My recommendation is to ask them to complete an ultrasound so that you feel more comfortable and then can enjoy your pregnancy.
Good luck - I will keep you in my prayers Nicole.

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S.S.

answers from San Francisco on

I started spotting at about 7 weeks pregnant. Sometimes brown, sometimes more red, sometimes pink-ish. I had 2 ultrasounds when the spotting got too intense for me to feel comfortable that my pregnancy wasn't in jeopardy. Then I just realized that this is how my body was doing it. About 20% of women spot during their pregnancies. My suggestion to you is, if it is worrying you, to ask your doc to give you an ultrasound. If the doc refuses (and I don't know why he would), then explain to him that the stress that the spotting is causing you is detrimental to your health and your baby's, and that he can alleviate that by just giving you a simple ultrasound.

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K.H.

answers from San Diego on

Yes, it can go either way. I, too, experienced this at 5 weeks. There was an ultra sound done and for me they could see the sac but not anything in there(since it was so early). So, they watched my HGC levels and they rose just like they were supposed to and now my baby is 15 months old.
Take your OB's advise and hopefully at your next checkup you will have more information.
Good luck!

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L.C.

answers from San Francisco on

Unfortunately, it can go either way. However, I've read on other blogs that dark brown spotting is better than bright blood. Cramping can also go either way. Either you're uterus is already stretching or getting ready for a miscarriage. Basically, it is all about waiting and seeing what happens. Your chances of miscarriage decreases with confirmation of a heartbeat during an ultrasound. Good luck.

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A.C.

answers from Sacramento on

Since you are only 5 weeks pregnant, there isn't much that a doctor can do. My doctor explained that an ultrasound will not detect anything that early. I also experienced spotting at 6 weeks, and I went in for my first ultrasound at 10 weeks and discovered that I had miscarried. I hope this is not the case with you. I've heard of lots of women who spot in the beginning and everything turns out to be fine. Please try to relax and not do any heavy lifting. However, I see that you have an 18 month old so I'm sure you will have to pick up your child!
Good luck and keep us posted.

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