Hello I am about 5 weeks pregnant and I have been spotting brown blood since I found out I was pregnant 4 weeks ago. No pain at all... and I have had an ectopic pregnancy in the past about 8 years ago. So this concerns me. I went to the er and they told me I was too early to do a ultrasound and my numbers were @ 127 went back for labs 2 days later and it went up to 171. Waited 5 days and it went up to 325. Not doubling as they would like but progressing. I am still spotting today texture more like a period but no heavy flow and the color has gone from dark brown to dark red ! My insurance kicks in March 1st. I just wanted your opinion and because of the color change and texture should I go back to the ER or just wait. Thanks

IF you are going to have an early loss, unfortunately, you wouldn't be able to do much at this stage other than perhaps take it easy and refrain from heavy lifting and sex.

Some spotting can be common in early pregnancy, and hcg levels don't always rise as quickly as the norm. However, you were wise to get checked as being common and being okay are not always the same thing.


At around 5 weeks, the location of a pregnancy can most often be determined with ultrasound. Since you don't have insurance just yet, you'd have to see about the cost of paying out of pocket if you wanted to have one for the peace of mind. Sometimes a payment plan or sliding scale will be used.


You could always take a wait and see approach. If you start to experience any other concerns, you could go back in to get checked.

I'm not a professional like Doula is. I have had 3 pregnancies, and I have 2 children. The last pregnancy ended in miscarriage at 3 months gestation.

Bleeding can happen during pregnancy. For me it never did, until the last pregnancy. I knew it was over the day I was scheduled for an ultrasound, at exactly 12 weeks. That day I went from spotting to heavy bleeding and clots with a lot of pain, worse pain than both labors and deliveries with my other two children, which I had naturally, no drugs at all.

Having said that, I have more than one friend, but one in particular, who had nothing but pain, bright red bleeding with clots, and went on to deliver. She had to be on bed rest for the last 3 months of her pregnancy, but she delivered, via C-section, a healthy little boy that's now 17.

Bleeding can happen during pregnancy. Some women spot and miscarry, others bleed like they're having a period, or worse, and go on to deliver a healthy baby.

In other words, there's no way to know what your bleeding means, or what will happen. It's best to consult an OBGYN, but even then he/she may not be able to give you specific answers. It's all a guessing game, but they can guess better than anyone online.

I hope this post doesn't come off as harsh, or scares you. That's not my intention at all. The intention was to reassure you that nothing is definite. Until you're told that it's gone, don't ever give up hope.

At this point I'd take it easy. Sitting in bed, legs elevated, no alcohol, no cigarettes, no drugs (if you indulge in them), take your prenatal vitamins, eat healthy, drink enough water, and see an OBGYN as soon as possible, even if it means paying for it out of pocket.

I'm sending positive vibes your way, and hope it all works out. Keep us posted.