Experiencing Bleeding (6 weeks pregnant via IVF)

[MommyHope]

Hi ladies,

This is my first visit to this site, and my first post.

My husband and I have had a long, difficult road trying to have a baby. After 6 months trying on our own, 6 failed IUIs, and 3 rounds of IVF, I am finally pregnant - six weeks and 1 day. This is my first pregnancy.

Nine days ago, I noticed pink on the toilet paper after using the bathroom. The next day the blood was bright red. I immediately contacted the doctor, and they advised me to just "monitor the bleeding" and to come in for my first ultrasound in a few days.

A little bit of spotting red continued for the next few days, and I was sure I was having a miscarriage. Went in for the ultrasound, and everything looked normal. The bleeding then subsided, but then started again a few days later.

It's been 5 days with the bleeding and the flow is somewhere between spotting and a period. I have very little cramping, and I've been taking daily pregnancy tests, and the pregnancy line is as dark as the control line.

I'm very frustrated with my RE because they won't tell me anything. I've asked countless times, "Am I miscarrying? What other reasons could I be bleeding? Is this normal? Is this a bad thing?" and they always respond in complete ambiguity... "We really can't say" or "We wouldn't want to speculate..."

My next ultrasound is scheduled for Thursday (2 long days from now) and we're hoping to see the heartbeat. I can't stand not knowing if our first baby is OK or not. And, I'm super frustrated that no one will tell me anything, and I'm forced to research online for my own self-diagnosis.

Anyone else experience bleeding during their first trimester?

[Stephanieford78]

MommyHope - First let me say congrats on your BFP! Second let me say, this is a very common question and also a very common symptom of pregnancy, especially with IVF.

I had bleeding, originally it was a gush of blood when I was 6 weeks pregnant. It just kept coming and I was sure I was miscarrying. My husband and I were both mourning the loss of a potential baby when the ER found a heartbeat but assumed that I was miscarrying a 2nd baby. The next day I had a radiology ultrasound scan (scanners are 100 times better) and there they found not one, but two heartbeats!

You see, what I had was called a subchorionic hemorrhage and the reason it is best for doctors NOT to speculate is to not cause you what might be additional concern. I was told I was miscarrying, what an awful thing to hear!! My regular doctor didn't (actually wouldn't) even diagnose the bleeding. I had to wait for my RE to see it and his reaction was that it was nothing. His non concern was actually comforting since I had read online how a bleed like that is said to be a cause for miscarriage. The truth is, spite the many horror stories you can find out there, there are so many more people who have had spotting or even big ole gushes of blood like me that have positive outcomes. I bled for 5 weeks straight, much more than a period and as you can see, I have two beautiful, precious and healthy babies!

Bleeding during a pregnancy is without doubt scary, especially for us who have been hrough so much just to get there. It is like our worrying never stops. However, it is best for you and baby to remain as calm as possible. You don't want to stress over this. Just keep a possitive attitude and keep picturing your baby growing happy and healthy inside you. Picture what he or she will look like after they are born and how happy you and your husband will be holding them in your arms. I know you have two long days until you will have that sigh of relief, but you will make it there!

I hope you can come back in two days with great news to share!

xo
Stephanie

[PA_FA]

Congrats on your BFP!

I also experienced bleeding at 6w. I was on an airplane headed for Europe. I was told to drink a LOT of water and rest. I did just that and luckily for me everything turned out fine. It's taken 11 years for me to get pregnant. Most of us on here understand the struggles with infertility.
I hope the best for you and your family. Just do what the Dr says. I know the next two days are going to be long ones. Resting is the best thing you can do. Lots of baby dust to you and I am crossing my fingers for a hb on Thursday. Please let us know how it goes. You may want to join a group of ladies who are at the same point as you in your pregnancy. It has really helped keep me sane through this cycle. XOXO

[MommyHope]

Hi ladies,

Thanks so much for your responses and encouragement. I feel like we're out here on an island all by ourselves sometimes.

I'll keep you posted on what we find out on Thursday. It seems like an eternity from now. Thankfully I work from home as a graphic designer, so I can nap when I need to, and I'm able to get plenty of rest.

[gina55]

Hi MommyHope,
I am going through the same thing right now and am so stressed! I have had cramping and some pink spotting but only during the night, which is strange. This is our first IVF attempt and we are unable to do another round, unfortunately. Hoping your appointment goes well on Thursday. My next ultrasound is on Friday.

[MommyHope]

gina55: Keep us posted on your ultrasound!!

It's so great to have the support of other gals going through the same thing. This bleeding really has me freaked out. And? I have pretty much no morning sickness, which I understand is a sign of a healthy pregnancy. Ugh. I thought the IVF process was hard. This pregnancy business is WAY more stressful.

Good luck on Friday!!

[gina55]

MommyHope:
Me too! I feel nauseous but have not vomited as I had with my other pregnancies. I will be praying that all goes well for you!!

[angelaezra]

MommyHope - Congratulations on your BFP! I know that it is common for women who go through IVF to bleed and spot while being pregnant. I know that you stated they did a u/s already and it looked fine but have they been repeating your beta to see if it is continually rising or falling? During my first IVF, I too had spotting in the beginning around 6 ½ weeks and then it turned into bright red bleeding and some cramping so I went in for an u/s and everything seemed fine also but I continued to bleed. Around week 8 or 9, my RE realized that I actually had a vanishing twin but the other one was progressing just fine. Your bleeding could be nothing at all or something similar to my situation. So, how many embryos did you transfer?

The best thing that you can do now is try your best to relax and if possible rest your pelvis by lying down as much as possible. Also drinking plenty of water and believe it or not but my RE actually had me take Advil because it is an anti-inflammatory and helped ease the cramping. If you look at the package insert, NSAIDS (Advil) can be taken safely until the third trimester because that is when the ductus arteriosus forms in the heart. But, of course that is all up to your RE. I wish you all of the luck in the world and please let us know how you are doing.

Angela

[MommyHope]

Hi Angela,

Thanks so much for your reply. We put back 4 frozen embryos this time. My first beta was rather low at 60, but 2 days later it went up to 168. My RE thinks I just had a late implantation. I thought about the Vanishing Twin, but since my hCG numbers were so low, I kind of gave up on that.

I don't have hardly any cramping, which is promising I suppose. It's just soooo scary to go to the bathroom every time and see red blood. I'm getting tons of rest as I work from home so I take lots of naps.

Our second ultrasound is tomorrow, so we hope we'll be able to see the heartbeat. We're praying for a positive outcome.

[angelaezra]

Hi Angela,

Thanks so much for your reply. We put back 4 frozen embryos this time. My first beta was rather low at 60, but 2 days later it went up to 168. My RE thinks I just had a late implantation. I thought about the Vanishing Twin, but since my hCG numbers were so low, I kind of gave up on that.

I don't have hardly any cramping, which is promising I suppose. It's just soooo scary to go to the bathroom every time and see red blood. I'm getting tons of rest as I work from home so I take lots of naps.

Our second ultrasound is tomorrow, so we hope we'll be able to see the heartbeat. We're praying for a positive outcome.

That is great news about your beta! I know how scary it can be to see blood but just keep thinking positive and I am sure everything will be just fine. Don’t be too concerned if you do not see a heart beat tomorrow because you are still a little early. But of course, I don’t blame you for wanting a repeat u/s after the first one. Please let us know how it turns out tomorrow.

Angela

[Stephanieford78]

MommyHope - Thinking of you on your big u/s day! Nothing but positive thoughts here for you!

[MommyHope]

Unfortunately, we received bad news today.

I miscarried my baby earlier in the week. That was the cause of the bleeding. My RE said there's no longer a sac. The thought of starting this whole process AGAIN is devastating.

[jamila20]

Momyhope i am so sorry about your loss, I understand your pain please take it easy and take care yourself. Again i am very sorry and i will keep you in my prayer.

[angelaezra]

Unfortunately, we received bad news today.

I miscarried my baby earlier in the week. That was the cause of the bleeding. My RE said there's no longer a sac. The thought of starting this whole process AGAIN is devastating.

MommyHope - I am so very sorry that you miscarried. I know it is very difficult to think about right now but your time is coming. As you can see from my signature, it has taken me a very long time to reach the point that I am at right now. So take some time to cry, be upset , or talk it out whatever helps you heal and then try to make your decision about the next cycle then and when you do, we will be hear rooting you on…

Angela

[gina55]

MommyHope,

I am so sorry for your loss. I can't even imagine what you are going through. I wish you the best if you decide to try again. I went for my ultrasound this morning and there were 2 heartbeats, a complete shock! Last week we were told one and there was no heartbeat. Our little one split.