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What Causes Spotting During Early Pregnancy?
Posted on
Wed, 3 Jun 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Wed, 3 Jun 2015
Answered on
Thu, 25 Jun 2015
Last reviewed on
Question : Hi,I am a Nurse in Australia. I got a positive UPT 2 days before.but then i noticed that i had spotting for the last one week on and off.its not bleeding but a very light red colour on the toilet paper when i wipe only.All i had until now is less than 2mls of blood. The only pregnancy symptom i have is a sore nipple which i am not sure if i normally have it during my periods.My period was due on 28th.I consulted with my gynecologist today and she has ordered B-HCG & progesterone, the results will be on tomorrow.but until then tonight is very frustrating for me.
Just wondering is this normal or what can be the reasons for this. Another concern is are we able to find out if i am having a normal pregnancy from tomorrow's results.
Just wondering is this normal or what can be the reasons for this. Another concern is are we able to find out if i am having a normal pregnancy from tomorrow's results.
Brief Answer:
Progesterone > 25ng/ml suggests a normally developing pregnancy.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to Healthcare Magic.
I am Dr Ramadevi Wani. I will be answering your concerns today.
Do you have regular menstrual cycles. if so then now you are 5 weeks pregnant.
Some women do have a bit of spotting around the time of their period and it is normal.
The other reasons for such spotting are ectopic pregnancy and a pregnancy which is not growing normally. Not all women will have pregnancy symptoms. So don't worry about it.
A progesterone level exceeding 25 ng/ ml suggests a normally developing pregnancy.
Single B HCG level is usually not sufficient to comment. You need to repeat it after 48 hours . In case of normal pregnancy you should see atleast 66% increase.
I hope this helps. If you have further questions I will be happy to answer.
Progesterone > 25ng/ml suggests a normally developing pregnancy.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to Healthcare Magic.
I am Dr Ramadevi Wani. I will be answering your concerns today.
Do you have regular menstrual cycles. if so then now you are 5 weeks pregnant.
Some women do have a bit of spotting around the time of their period and it is normal.
The other reasons for such spotting are ectopic pregnancy and a pregnancy which is not growing normally. Not all women will have pregnancy symptoms. So don't worry about it.
A progesterone level exceeding 25 ng/ ml suggests a normally developing pregnancy.
Single B HCG level is usually not sufficient to comment. You need to repeat it after 48 hours . In case of normal pregnancy you should see atleast 66% increase.
I hope this helps. If you have further questions I will be happy to answer.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks for your answer..
the only concern i have is, the spotting started on 27th which i thought was my period, but did come like a period but very light red colour when i wipe and hasn't stopped until today.Is it normal to have spotting for 7 days.But its on and off, some times its there some times not.
As I was concerned about my ovulation our doctor did a day 21 progesterone for this cycle which was 36.5nmol/L. can we relate this to my pregnancy until i get tomorrow's results.
the only concern i have is, the spotting started on 27th which i thought was my period, but did come like a period but very light red colour when i wipe and hasn't stopped until today.Is it normal to have spotting for 7 days.But its on and off, some times its there some times not.
As I was concerned about my ovulation our doctor did a day 21 progesterone for this cycle which was 36.5nmol/L. can we relate this to my pregnancy until i get tomorrow's results.
Brief Answer:
Day 21 Progesterone result does not help.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Welcome back.
Some women do have this spotting for 5-7 days and the pregnancy progresses normally. But this spotting can also happen in other two conditions that I have already mentioned.
Your Day 21 Progesterone result cannot help in interpreting the current pregnancy situation.
Test results when available tomorrow will clarify things.
I hope this helps.
Good luck.
If you have further concerns I will be happy to answer.
Day 21 Progesterone result does not help.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Welcome back.
Some women do have this spotting for 5-7 days and the pregnancy progresses normally. But this spotting can also happen in other two conditions that I have already mentioned.
Your Day 21 Progesterone result cannot help in interpreting the current pregnancy situation.
Test results when available tomorrow will clarify things.
I hope this helps.
Good luck.
If you have further concerns I will be happy to answer.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks Doctor for your time and concern..have a great evening..
Brief Answer:
Thanks for trusting Healthcare Magic.
Detailed Answer:
Hi Miss XXXXXXX
You are always welcome.
Have a great day.
With best wishes,
Dr Rama
Thanks for trusting Healthcare Magic.
Detailed Answer:
Hi Miss XXXXXXX
You are always welcome.
Have a great day.
With best wishes,
Dr Rama
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi doctor this is XXXX again
I am back with my results my B-HCG is 1702 IU/L and Progesterone is 35.9nmol/L which i calculated will be only 11.28ng/ml of progesterone which as per our yesterday's discussion is not sufficient for a normal pregnancy.Do i have to take more progesterone supplements or what do i have to do at this stage.
I am back with my results my B-HCG is 1702 IU/L and Progesterone is 35.9nmol/L which i calculated will be only 11.28ng/ml of progesterone which as per our yesterday's discussion is not sufficient for a normal pregnancy.Do i have to take more progesterone supplements or what do i have to do at this stage.
Brief Answer:
Ectopic pregnancy is a probability.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
These results are a bit of concern.
With B- HCG level of 1702 IU/L one should usually see a gestational sac in the uterus.
Since it is not seen in your case unfortunately ectopic pregnancy is a high probability.
Repeat B-HCG after 48 hours of first result . If it does not show rise by atleast 66% then it suggests ectopic pregnancy. Also get a repeat ultrasound done when you get the second B-HCG result. By then one should be able to see ectopic pregnancy if it is present.
Taking Progesterone suppliments does not help.
I hope this helps.
NB-- In the mean time if you develop severe abdominal pain, you must go to the emergency room at once.
I will be happy to answer if you have any further concerns.
Ectopic pregnancy is a probability.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
These results are a bit of concern.
With B- HCG level of 1702 IU/L one should usually see a gestational sac in the uterus.
Since it is not seen in your case unfortunately ectopic pregnancy is a high probability.
Repeat B-HCG after 48 hours of first result . If it does not show rise by atleast 66% then it suggests ectopic pregnancy. Also get a repeat ultrasound done when you get the second B-HCG result. By then one should be able to see ectopic pregnancy if it is present.
Taking Progesterone suppliments does not help.
I hope this helps.
NB-- In the mean time if you develop severe abdominal pain, you must go to the emergency room at once.
I will be happy to answer if you have any further concerns.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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