PREGNANCY-BIRTH Messages for July, 1999: Re: Spotting in the first trimester

Re: Spotting in the first trimester

From: Mars

anonymous@obgyn.net

Tue, 27 Jul 1999 14:54:47 -0500 (CDT)

I am sorry you had this unfortunate experience! I'm so glad I haven't had to go through the terror of having spotting during my pregnancy thus far (I'm 12 weeks tomorrow). But I can imagine how frightening it would be. I have myself when not pregnant, only once spotted after a physical exam/pap smear. I have been told by several doctors on different occasions, though, that it is normal and can be expected, as well as soreness. So I have never been worried about it. Certainly pregnancy compounds worry though. But what suprises me is that your doctor did not think to inform you before you experienced the spotting from the exam that it may happen!! Especailly knowing you were already concerned with it having happened earlier in the pregnancy. It would also suprise me that you've never been told to expect it. What a shame! I guess the doctors are in too much of a rush or just assume you already know that information?! I'm sure it would have been more comforting for you to know it may result rather than finding out after the fact and maybe even doubting your doctor because of it.

Anyway, I was just giving my two cents in hopes to make you feel more at ease and to accept your doctor's explanation, as I feel that it was correct. One would think that if you've shown a tendancy to bleed that upon physical exam that it could be provoked. If it were me, I would not worry all that much about it, however. Just because you bleed from a physical exam does not mean the baby is in jeopardy from it. The exam only touches your outer cervix, and your baby is safely inside it. I don't think you'd have reason to have another internal exam for some time, it was necessary for the pap smear. As you said, your doctor did tell you to call him/her if the bleeding continued more than a spotting or for a few days. You question whether or not its advisable to have further physical examination, I would think if it resulted in just a little spotting that the risk would be negligible to the amount of information gained by doing the tests regarding your health and the baby's health. Remember too that some women's periods don't stop when they're pregnant!!

Good luck, and let us know how things are working out for you!

-- Marshella (edd #1 2/10/00 -- thankfully no spotting!)

At Mon, 26 Jul 1999, Shubha wrote: > >I had my first spotting during my sixth week of pregnancy. I became >very anxious and rushed to the emergency. Ultrasound test was conducted >and everything seemed normal. However my anxiety never subsides. Today >at 10½ weeks a pap smear was done as a part of my regular check-up. When >I came back from the clinic I again noticed spotting. I immediately >called up the doctor, who attributed this to the physical examination, >and asked me to observe for the next two days. > >To me this is like stirring the hornet's nest. Under the circumstances, >is it advisable to avoid any more physical examination. I also feel >sore but no cramping or pain is being experienced. > >This is my second pregnancy and my first child was a normal pregnancy. > >Regards > >-- >Shubha >

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