Third Pregnancy Concerns

Get a bunch of the Dollar Store $1 pregnancy tests, and take one every morning. If the line is getting darker (or staying nice and dark) for each test, it's a good indicator. If the tests are staying very light, I would be concerned but honestly, there is very little they can do for you if the pregnancy is not successful. Good luck.

M.,
Congratulations! I will be praying for you and the baby.
The tests measure a certain amount of hormone and some ladies don't make as much as others. They certainly are accurate, but measure a certain percentage. Be sure to take them first thing in the morning that allows the hormone to build up in concentration overnight. I would be sure to see a MD to talk about the spotting. Having had 3 miscarriages the one thing I know is trust your instincts if it doesn't feel right it probably isn't. Pray and trust that God will let you know if this is the answer to your prayers. If so you will get a peace about it. Please keep us updated.

My first pregnancy was a lot like that, I had 5 test only one positive. I spotted the whole pregnancy and had high blood pressure toxemia. Spent almost my whole pregnancy on bedrest. I ended up with a beautiful baby boy who was healthy with no problems. My blood pressure went down initially after birth then shot back up to stroke levels within about 12 hours. I almost died. I did not realize that until about 2 years later when one of my friends made a comment about me being close to death and I thought she lost her marbles! She told me to ask my folks and they confirmed that it was true. My mom said why do you think they would not let you hold the baby, it was because they were afraid that you would either stroke out or die and drop the baby. I only remember that I could not hold my baby because of some medication that they gave me. That baby has grown up into my handsome 21 year old red headed child. I would talk to the doctor, nurses are wonderful but you really should talk to the doctor. Good Luck and Congratulations.

M.,
I went through a similar situation. I have two daughters and we wanted a third to complete our familiy. We got pregnant, but the pregancy test was only faint each time I took one. I did not think much about it though. At about 9 weeks I started spotting, just a little brown blood, but it really concerned me, because I did not spot the first two times. I called my doctor and they had me come in for an ultrasound. It showed that the baby had not grown. We were devastated. I pray that this is not happening to you. My hubby and I decided we were going to start again right away and I'm now 7 months pregnant with our third little girl. This was the most difficult time I have ever gone through, but it truly makes me appreciate each and every day I have with my family. (2 little girls and wonderful hubby:). I will be praying for you. Please do not worry though my mother-in-law spotted throughout her 2nd pregnancy and her son is now 28 with two babies of his own. May God Bless you and your family he was certainly what got me through my situation. I have learned to praise him in each and every situation and he will bless. This is the first time I have responded to a question. So, sorry if my response is a tad long. Take Care,

My experience was very very similar to yours. I was also 37 years old when I got pregnant. The only difference is that my pregnancy test said positive - but I have two other children and got very faint results - to the point that I didn't know if it was a line or not. I had gotten pregnant one year prior to my last pregnancy. That ended in a miscarraige. When I got pregnant again, I had issues from the beginning with spotting. Right away, my doctor put me on bed rest and to make a long story short, put me on medication to help sustain the pregnancy. My doctors were constantly putting me on bed rest, here and there, because spotting happened for months! They were more careful also, because of the fact that I had a miscarraige the year before. But, my point to you is, I would expect your doctor to have not written it off so fast. I think that precautions are best. I think you really should get a second opinion! I was in the doctors office all the time and constant sonograms - but have a beautiful baby boy! Get rest, get a second opinion, and give it to God. Good luck and try not to worry - trust me - I know how hard that is!!

I had bleeding throughout the first trimester during both of my pregnancies, and both pregnancies turned out just fine. I hope this is the case for you. Good luck and God bless!

I will be praying for you and your family.

It is possible to have a period during the first month or so of a pregnancy. Usually its lighter and really just spotting and irregular. My only experience with anything like this was with my first son. After my first obgyn visit which included an exam I spotted and bled watery pink. It was several days after my visit and I panicked of course. The doctor assured me that it was most likely from the exam so as long as it stopped and didn't get heavier it was fine. Having gone through a miscarriage before I'm sure you'll know the difference. Just try to relax and hope for the best. As long as it gets lighter and not heavier with cramping I'd think you're ok. Good Luck!

First off, congratulations and know that I'm praying all works out well.
Just wanted to let you know that the pregnancy tests rely on hormone readings. With my first child, I never registered on a pregnancy test unti around 6.5 months. My family doctor did a blood test at my request (insistance).

I'm certainly no expert on miscarriages (had 4 uneventful pregnancies -- except for severe vomiting). I have heard, though, that a miscarriage early on means that something was probably quite out of the ordinary and it's 'nature's (AKA God's) way of taking care of things. If it's something that you can't do anything about either way, just place it in His capable hands.

Try concentrating on your 2 healthy children, your husband, home, and job. If anything is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise think on THESE things. You won't have time to worry or fret so much!

It's so easy to lose sight of our blessings in the midst of turmoil, but God WILL allow what's BEST to happen if we'll kind of stay out of His way (if you know what I mean!) His will isn't always for things to go smoothly, either; but His greatest works can be done amidst the worst happenings (as demonstrated in the 9/11 terrorist attacks and many other examples). In other words, His ways aren't always 'fun', but they ARE always 'right'.

God bless!

i am not going to tell you that it will be ok as you already know it might not. but you are on track with if God intends it to be it will . and you are doing all the right things. i am going to tell you that lots of people have gone through what you are and had great pregnances ,and great kids . i think you know how blessed you are with your family and hubby , also realise how blessed they are to have you in thier lives, relax and enjoy you r time, and children. good luck in all you do and especially with this baby. God loves you. cindi

Your doctors office should be able to repeat your blood test to see if your HCG levels are rising (good sign) or falling (probable miscarriage). The 18th is too long to wait in turmoil. Insist on the test, you don't even have to see the doctor,(although a good doctor would). I will be praying for your family!

Congratulations M.,
It is always so concerning when you first find out you are pregnant. I was never sure everything was okay until my babies were born! I, too, had a very faint positive with one of my pregnancies. Everything turned out fine. My Gyno said it was probably so early the hormones that cause the positive result were still not high enough to turn the line bright blue.
On the other hand, I have a friend who had the same thing-with spotting and she did miscarry. I think you're doing the right thing by taking it easy. Of course it is absurd to say not to worry because that is just impossible but it really wont do you any good.
Good luck and I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

M.-- I found out I was pregnant with my first about 3 weeks before I was going out of town to inn sit for my in-laws. Of course I'm excited and I pack my "What to expect....." book and head out of town. Well a couple days after I get there I start to spot. I read my book(big mistake by the way!) and it says some light spotting is normal and if it is a brownish color not to worry. My spotting, while not as heavy as a normal period, does not seem light and it definetly is more red than anything, plus it doesn't fit into the time frame mentioned in the book. So here I am about 600 miles from home, no one around to ask... I have to work, (that is why I am there) and I am freaking out! Gradually the bleeding turned more pink and then the brown color described in the book and eventually stopped. Big sigh of relief!
My second pregnancy I did spot for about...oh 5 minutes--no kidding and in the time frame when the egg would be implanting as mentioned in the above book. Totally different experience on that end. And alot less stressful.
Pregnancy is different each time in some way, morning sickness, no morning sickness, cravings, no cravings, alot of movement, minimal movement etc. Please try not to stress yourself out too much. I understand the pain you went through two years ago is still very much in your mind and I can only guess at the fear and thoughts you are having. Trust that everything will be ok and I'll be saying a prayer for you and the baby.

Go back to the OB and see a doctor, not a nurse. You have a right to be concerned and until you check it out you will worry about it...which is not good for you or the baby. I had a miscarriage on my first preg, then had a healthy preg and child then got preg again and the baby came early so now the doc told me that when I get preg again that I am to call or come in with any little thing...I am considered high risk now. Stand your ground and go see an OB, don't take what the nurse is saying if you don't agree with her. I hate to say it, but they are used to women "spotting" and sometimes over look the ones that are spotting, but for different reasons. Spotting for one woman might not be normal for another.

Above all just pray about it. I read that you feel the Lord is going to bless you with another child so I know you know the power of prayer. Speak to him. On my second preg I was so scared everytime I had a little pain or discomfort b/c I thought I was going to lose the baby again and one night I just sat on the couch with the TV off and no one around and just talked to Him and prayed and just let Him know how I felt and that I could not go through 9 months of worrying about this baby I was carrying and that if it was not meant to be then prepare me (like he did before) or take the worry away. The next morning I woke up feeling at ease and from that moment on I did not have any more discomfort or worry throughout my preg. (I had morning sickness of course...but the normal stuff that I did not worry about). He does answer our prayers. But he also gives us the sense to go get help when we think something is wrong. What is your gut telling you?

First thing I'd like to say is how wonderful I think it is that you're praying. The Lord is sufficient! Next, on my third pregnancy I also had some bleeding at the beginning. However, I didn't realize I was pregnant until about 4 weeks later. I assumed it was just my period, but for "some reason" it wasn't as long or as heavy as usual. A month later when I took a pregnancy test and it came up positive I spoke with the doctors about it. They did an ultrasound and couldn't find a heartbeat. I went back a week later and everything was fine. They said the bleeding was probably because I had gotten pregnant so close to my period time, nature still continued it's course, although less than normal. Could it be that you're "barely pregnant"? Turns out I had gotten pregnant the week before I started, and was only about 5 weeks when they did the ultrasound, which is why they couldn't find the heartbeat on the first try. That may not be the case with you, but I pray that it is. I know it's easier said than done, but try not to worry. Put your faith in Him and he will handle it in His own time. Please keep us posted!

I too have had a few miscarriages. It is amazing to think of the complexity of our bodies and how many things that can go wrong in the creation of them. It's a wonder it all goes right as often as it does.

After losing one baby, we were pregnant again. I played volleyball regularly and had spotting when doing so. It would subside between our weekly games. It was near the end of the season so I stopped playing. The spotting stopped. We now have a beautiful 6 year old girl from that pregnancy.

Stay optimistic, pray and try to relax.

God bless!

I know that it's hard, but there's really nothing that a doctor or anyone else will be able to do or tell you until you're at least 6 weeks along. Then, an ultrasound can at least see if there is a pregnancy in your uterus. If your pains get worse, I would still call the doctor to make sure that you do not have an ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy outside the uterus that can be life-threatening if not caught early on). Continue to pray and wait until then.

Having been a Medical Assistant for 14 years, and worked in an OB/GYN office for 3 of those, I learned this: Your pain and spotting could have been attributed to an "implant bleed". That is a phenom in which the fertilized egg travels down your fallopian tubes to the uterus and comes to rest in your uterus, attaching itself to the place on the uterine wall where the embroyo will grow into a fetus and the placenta will form. Another thing that I learned is that there are no "barely" pregnant results on a urine test. If there is any hint of blue, that is a yes. A lighter blue line could be attributed to a very young pregnancy during which time the levels of HcG in your urine still being relatively low, or to the test itself. This can happen often, until about 8 weeks. If there is a question, your doctor should schedule an ultrasound during which they look for a fetal heartbeat or perform a doppler test to locate fetal heart tones. They may be able to detect it with a doppler, but sometimes it is missed that early for several benign reasons. If you think you are 7 weeks or more along, I would ask your doctor about one or both of these tests (doppler and ultrasound), or a blood test for confirmation. The blood would be the most sure-fire way to determine if there is a baby or if there is not. A few conditions can cause a false positive blood test, but it is somewhat rare for that to be the case.

Best of luck, and I will be praying for you!

I wish you the best of luck. With my last pregnancy I was on bedrest from day 1. Now I have a wonderful healthy baby boy..he's almost 6 weeks now! Just foloow all the dr's advice and if you weant someone to just cry to or talk to about how scary it is. I know it's terrifying being pregnant after a loss. We lost 2 before God sent us our son. Every symptom and hurt was so overanalyzed I could have been the poster child for a neurotic mess. Added to that I stayed home with my two older children now 4 and 3, I was a wreck and always stressed. If there is anything yo uneed let me know! I know how hard this is. I will keep you in my prayers!

With my first pregnancy I had a little more than spotting. I was thinkig the worst when I called my Gyno. They said no big deal. They attributed this to settling of the fetus. I now have a loudmouth six yearold girl that keeps me in stitches.I will pray for you tonight and I wish you the best.

many years ago, 1984, i had had 3 very bad pregnancys with a doctor who said i would never be able to bring a pregnancy to term, well the Lord had other ideas in august of 1984 i was prayed over by then unknown james robinson, a few days later i had a "normal' period but found out in oct i was pregnant. i not only had a normal pregnancy (8 month one) but she is now 24 years old and a godly mom of 2 precious kids, so just take it easy and trust God to fulfill the desires of your heart, that promise is in Psalms 37:4-5 and one of my favorites is Proverbs 3: 5-6 Trust in the lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thy own understanding, In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path. i will be praying for you keep us posted on how you are doing.

I would get a second opionion and i would go to bed rest. Try to find a friend or family member to come over to help you. You know your body better than any doctor. weeI would not wait for November to go to the doctor. I would make an appt right away and suggest a vaginal ultrasound to see what is going on. I have had 6 pregnancies, three came through but were hgh risk. I have a set of twins that are 8, a boy that is 4, and a boy that is 2. My other three, I had first set of twins at 28 weeks still born, then 6 weeks later had a miscarriage, then had another miscarriage when my middle child was 6 months old. I threatened and had to be put on bed rest for all three of my pregnancies and it was scary but I have four beautiful boys that god blessed me with. Just take it easy , don't stress over it and get a second opionion or demand to see the doctor not the nurse and tell him how you feel. I hope this helps and let me know how things are going. You can email me at ____@____.com

When I first took a home pregnancy test, it was negative. A week later I took another one, which was positive, so I dug through the waste-basket and found the first one and sure enough it had eventually turned positive.

I have heard many people say that spotting is very normal in the first trimester. I am glad you are resting and off your feet. I think it is very telling that the bleeding has slowed with decreased activity. As you know, decreased activity would not effect blood flow if you were miscarrying. So that should be comforting :)

Take care of yourself. Good luck. I will keep you in my thoughts...

Hi M.,

One thing to ask the doctor about is an ectopic pregnancy. You probably don't have one, but especially if you have cramping, I would ask. I had an ectopic pregnancy, and before we knew it was ectopic a doctor told me that all pregnancies are different and that bleeding wouldn't necessarily be something to worry about. It just didn't feel right to me (I had already had one baby) and asked for an ultrasound. The ultrasound technician found the embryo in a fallopian tube. I was lucky that it was caught early and was relatively easy to resolve without damage to my tube.

Like I said, you probably don't have this issue, but it wouldn't hurt to rule it out.

Hope all goes well!

--J.

Hi M.
Congrats on a positive pregnancy test. As you know God is the fate of all plans. I can't tell you how to feel and since you've had successful pregnancies and also non successful, I think at this point now prayers are the key and God will take the reigns. I feel like I can say these words as I too have experienced a successful and an unsuccessful pregnancy. Right now time is too early to tell what your fate will be. I would definitely see a doctor (not a nurse) on your next visit and make sure you say that to your ob/gyn office. You will need answers not uncertainty (can you tell that I've been through this before?).
The telltale signs of definite pregnancy will be from your ultrasound and blood work that is drawn.
My prayers will be with you and your family through this very uncertain and questionnable time. If you need an ear, feel free to email me ____@____.com
God bless, P.