Natural Birth and Baby Care.com

Am I Having a Miscarriage??

by Lisa
(Philadelphia)

I am two months pregnant and last night I went to the bathroom and when I wiped there was a little bit of bright red blood on the toilet paper.

I put on a pad and later that night I went to the bathroom again and there was only a little bit of blood on the pad.

In the morning I went to use the bathroom again and there was nothing on that pad. Then around lunchtime, I went to the bathroom again and there was bright red blood again. I have started to cramp a little. Am I in the process of having a miscarriage???

Answer:

Hi Lisa,

Spotting during pregnancy can be normal. However, I always recommend that you let your care provider know right away if you have any spotting or bleeding at any time during pregnancy.

Cramping is also normal during early pregnancy, but again, any concerns warrant a call to your care provider.

Bright red bleeding generally causes more concern than old (brown) blood. It could be nothing, or it could be an impending miscarriage.

Bleeding can also sometimes indicate an issue such as a low-lying placenta.

You may want to read my article on bleeding during pregnancy - it covers some of the issues that could be at hand.

I urge you to call your doctor or your midwife, then put your feet up and try to relax and take it easy.

If you have them on hand the late and respected midwife Jeannine Parvati Baker used this blend in the event of threatened miscarriage of her clients:

1oz wild yam
1oz squaw vine
1oz false unicorn
1oz cramp bark.

Simmer these for 20 minutes in a quart of water to make an herbal infusion (tea). Drink a wine glass full every four hours until the symptoms subside.

Jeannine reported great success with this formula.

My thoughts are with you Lisa.