Spotting several times in 2nd trimester, can't find cause, just wondered if any of you had any ideas?

[looneytune]

I've posted before about this but as I've now had this 11 times now, it's getting really annoying and I'm wondering if I'll ever find out the cause?!

It's not proper bleeding, just bits when wiping accompanied with slight period type pains (but not every time). But as I'm rhesus negative, I have had to have several anti d injections. It all started when I was 14 weeks, I'm now 19 weeks tomorrow.

They've done a speculum and can't see any problems (apart from thrush), the placenta is in a good place so it's not down to the position of that. I know these things can happen and they never find out the cause but I'm curious as to whether anyone on here had anything similar and got to the bottom of the cause?

Of the 11 times, 10 of them have all been similar (with or without period pains, but not major), the 10th time (on Thursday) was a bit different as there was a bit more than the other times (but not flowing) and there was an awful strong smell of period blood (which I've never smelt on myself before).

Please note I'm not worried as such as baby seems fine and I'm reassured by the strong movements I get, I'm just getting fed up with it all and the fact I seem to now know all the staff in triage! It would be nice to at least have an idea of what might be causing it.

Any ideas?

[looneytune]

Another question..........I've tried to find this info on the internet with no success. I'm presuming there is no problem with having the anti d injection a lot? At the moment I'm having it every 3 - 7 days and if this carries on throughout, that's a LOT of jabs.

[NAR4]

I had a lot of spotting throughout my last two pregnancies. The first time they said they didn't know what was causing it but the second pregnancy (under a differrent hospital) I was told it can often be caused by fleshy cells on the cervix growing on the outside (vagina side) during pregnancy, which can bleed a bit.

Like you I was never worried because of good movement from the baby and only a small amount of blood. But was always told to go back to the Day Assessment Unit for a check each time it happened.

Both the pregnancies went to full term and produced healthy babies.

[Springforward]

I had blood on wiping once at 28 weeks on my first pregnancy, registrar said it was a cervical ectropian which bled a little - stopped on its own and DS arrived on his due date.

Last night I went in (almost 21 weeks) with blood on wiping twice yesterday - all looked normal apparently but they did swab and take urine sample to check for infection, in case there's something which isn't causing obvious symptoms yet. Guess I may never know why this time.

[suzyrut]

Going to be no help as I'm having exactly the same symptoms since week 14, one has been worse than the others but am on to episode 9 now after Saturday and if anything it seems to be getting more frequent.

Had my 20 week scan last week and my placenta was in an ok position so that's not the cause, have also had 2 of the dreaded speculum exams and both times they've said my cervix is fine. Initially they put it down to my CVS but they seem not even to be saying that now, just come back in when it happens (which I've given up doing or I'd be living in the hospital, like you I'm less worried because I'm feeling movements)

Am putting it down to being one of those things but on the days it happens I still have a little panic, wfh and don't dtd for a few days!

xx

[mrsR1991]

hi. my friend had this and it was something to do with her cervix... i would ask them to check your cervix for any infection etc xx

[SaggyOldPregnantCatpuss]

A cervical erosion, nowadays called Ectropion, is when the inner cervical cells grow on the outside of the cervix. These inner cells are delicate and more vulnerable to damage. Its a bit like if the inside of your lip was on the outside. These cells are one cause of spotting. But if someone had examined your cervix, they should be able to see ectropion. Id imagine getting checked out each time it happens is probably the best course of action.

[looneytune]

Thanks all. Had my 12th episode earlier but this time brown blood so phoned to ask if I really had to bother with yet another Anti D injection and they said it as ok as it was brown blood - phew! I've had 2 checks where they've said my cervix was ok and no sign of bleeding, but I'm not sure how easy it is to check for Erosion/Ectropion? I'm guessing this is what they looked for but will check next time I go in. I know I have quite a bad yeast infection which is clearly high up as I'm not getting the usually thrush symptoms I'm used to.

Thanks for the replies, they've been very helpful. I'm just going to ring my consultant's secretary to see if they have my blood test results back yet as they really should have by now. If by some miracle this baby is - and not +, I don't have to have these damn jabs all the time! Fingers crossed!

[looneytune]

What a relief, baby is NEGATIVE (well, as far as the test shows which isn't 100% but not far off). No more jabs!! :-)

[NAR4]

Please for you looney, no more jabs is good news. Did they prescrive you something for the yeast infection though?

[looneytune]

Yes, was prescribed pessaries and whenI went to my reflexology lady, she picked up on lots of inflamation and suggested went on a yeast, sugar and mushroom free diet for 5 day. OMG, that was much harder than I thought (I had no idea how many things contain sugar and no bread, marmite and other snacks etc. with yeast was also very hard) but I did it and do feel better. Need to get more swabs done to see if it's cleared totally or not but for now I just want to get my 20 week scan out of the way (tomorrow).

[NAR4]

Glad to hear it is all getting better and hope you enjoy your 20 wk scan.

[lovemybabyboy]

I bled nearly constantly with DS2 from about 7wks till about 24wks, at 20wks they did a speculum examination and said I had cervical erosion (also known as cervical abrasion), they said it was either caused by pregnancy hormones causing the cells on my cervix to change or it was caused by some of the cells on the inside of my cervix being pushed to the outside of my cervix whilst delivering DS1.

[looneytune]

NAR4 - thanks, had the scan this afternoon and just as I thought, I'm having another boy (so I'll have 3 ds', a dh and even the cat is male! LOL). The main thing is he's healthy and everything was as it should be. I did mention the bleeding and she said she could see a small amount of blood but it wasn't coming from baby, it was underneath the placenta but no idea what that means. She said she wasn't concerned and didn't feel the need to note it as it's not a big bleed, I'll just mention in to my consultant on Wednesday in case it sheds any light.

lovemybabyboy - thanks for that info, I've had 2 speculum examinations and neither time did they mention anything like this, just said they still had no idea of the cause. As a little bit of blood was found on the scan, I'll mention it to my consultant. I'm not concerned as the sonographer wasn't, just it might explain things and then we might know the cause. Fingers crossed. Main thing is DS3 is looking nice and healthy :)

[NAR4]

Congratulations. Half way there now, so not long before you meet your georgeous little boy.

[looneytune]

Thanks, can't wait :)