Is this a miscarriage?

[flowers]

Hi
I am sorry for this post but I am really confused.
I have had my first IVF treatment and could not believe it after the blood test to be told that I was pg. Since all the treatment I have been having lower abdomen pain mainly on the right side of my tummy. Last week I had a fever and felt very sick and had a lot of stomach pain, I also had some red spotting. I rang the clinic to tell them about the spotting and they told me to use 3 pessaries instead of 2 until it stopped. Now I am still feeling sick and still have the pains in my stomach but it is only when I wipe that I notice a brown colour.
I do not know what to do, I don't know if this means there is a problem or not. I know that I do not feel right, I feel like something is wrong but I am due to go for my 1 months scan on Friday and wonder if I should hang on until that time or phone the clinic again.
I have never had a miscarriage before and am not sure what to expect if this is what it will be.
Could anybody please help me as I am very worried.
Thank you so much.

[Sophia flamenca]

Hello sweetheart,

The thing with early pregnancy is that many symptoms can mean many things, from the benign to the serious. The mere fact that you see some blood, either in your panties or when you wipe (spotting) does not automatically mean that you're miscarrying. In fact, the fact that it's now brownish might even mean that the bleeding is about to stop.

The fever, to me, is what should worry you the most; are you very constipated? A pain on the right side of your tummy might mean an appendicitis, especially with the fever. Even if it's in your lower abdomen, the nerves are not very specific when it comes to pain, in the pelvic/abdominal area, and it could be misleading.

I would definitely call the clinic again tomorrow or today if you can. Also, I would call a phone service if you have one in your area; we have that in Montreal, and a qualified nurse can answer your questions.

Don't worry about pestering them; the worst thing you can do is say nothing and suffer at home in silence.

Hang in there sweetie... I'm with you and please keep me posted.

Sophie

[flowers]

Sophie

I am so grateful to you for your kind words. I guess I have been suffering in silence. I know that it isn't my appendix though cause I had that removed when I was 13 at least I hope that is what they removed !!! I am feeling a little better today although the pain is still there as is the brown. I am going to hang on in until Friday which is my first scan and see what happens then. I promise I will keep you posted and can't thank you enough for your kind support.

[Champa]

Hi flowers,
As u mentioned, u have pain in right side of lower abdomen and bbrown discharge. Is this pain unbearable? What about ur Blood tests? Ask ur RE to have another set of blood tests done.

I don't want to disappoint u but usually severe one sided lower abdominal pain along with brownish discharge in about 5-7 weeks points to symptoms of ectopic pregnancy. I myself had an ectopic pregnancy in Sept 2006 where I had severe lower left sided abdominal pain. It's just something to keep in mind when u talk to RE in ur next app.

All my good wishes are with u.
Champa

[Sophia flamenca]

Hello flowers,

Unfortunately, Champa has a point; severe pain might mean an ectopic pregnancy. However, if your ultrasound is planned for your 4th week (you said a month, right?), you should not worry. When I was at very high risk for a tubal pregnancy, more than two gynecologists recommended me to get an ultrasound done at my 5th or 6th week to check where the embryo had implanted if I ever got pregnant naturally. We now know that that advice does not apply to me anymore (that was before my surgery; I lost one tube and the other was destroyed), but it could give you an idea of the safe delays for checking for tubal pregnancy.

Unfortunately, the progesterone you're taking can cause cramps ranging from mild to severe and that can be caused as much by your uterus shifting to take another position than by constipation or bloating. If your pain becomes intolerable, by all means, go to the ER. But I would not worry about brown spotting when you wipe; spotting is normal in early pregnancy, no matter how scary it is.

Take it easy, try to get some rest and please, to as many pleasurable activities as you can to keep a good PMA and keep stress at lower levels. Also, you can try Jacobson relaxation. See the method here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progressive_relaxation

I'm a doctor in psychology, hence the advice... but it really helps my client lower their anxiety and I prescribe it a lot. Do it once a day, and try not to fall asleep right after so you can benefit from the relaxed state (if you sleep, you won't benefit from it as much).

Hang on, dear! And keep us posted! Still haven't seen you on the Dec/Jan thread!!

Sophie