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Got Bleeding After A Positive Pregnancy Test. What Could Be The Reason?

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Posted on Tue, 20 Aug 2013
Question: 34-yr-old female guessing I am approximately 5wks pregnant - at home positive tests last week. I have not seen a Dr yet; however, I started bleeding yesterday a.m. with mild to moderate cramping. It is bright red and not a significant amount at all, less than a very light period. I do notice some odor, the cramping in the night got very painful, very mild today & no increase in amount of blood. Just light spotting, bright red blood & no clots or thickening discharge. I am not running a fever. Assuming I am miscarrying & wondering If it is normal to just stay home and let this and my body run this course?
Asked by Me , 17 hours ago     
Doctor's reply to your question above...
Hello, I would be happy to help you with your question.



You should not stay home. The three possibilites include:

1. Normal implantation bleeding

2. A threatened miscarriage

3. An ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy in your tube)



You need:

1. A quantitative HCG level

2. An ultrasound to see if there is a pregnancy in the tube



Do not assume the worst, but do not delay getting evaluated. This means you need to get in to your doctor or go to an ER.



I hope that this helps and good luck!

Replied by Dr. XXXXXXX Raichle , 17 hours ago     
Disclaimer: The Expert's advice is provided for general informational purposes only and SHOULD NOT be relied upon as a substitute for sound professional medical advice, as a complete assessment of an individual has not taken place. Please consult your nearest physician before acting on it. The advice is not valid for medico-legal purposes also.
Thank you for your advice & timely response! Now things are even more complicated :-( After reading your response my Dr's office finally called back & phone triaged me. I had some of my dates messed up & so it seems as if I am more like 8 weeks. She scheduled an appt for an ultrasound in the morning & just basis to call if sudden onset of pain or increased bleeding. I'm guessing in wasn't SDA because of the small amount of blood & no severe cramping; however, I had my husband get me another home pregnancy test and I took it about an hour ago. COMPLETELY NEGATIVE :-( How is it that not one tiny trace amount of hcg to show up when my body is not expelling anything? I'm not even spotting anymore. I am so confused. Please let me know what this can indicate, if this is normal, and any suggestions would be so greatly appreciated.
Asked by Me , 8 hours ago     
doctor
Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (2 hours later)
Hi
Since you had a positive pregnancy test last week, you were definitely pregnant.
You could have most probably had a very early miscarriage ( sometimes called a chemical pregnancy ) where you lost the pregnancy very early on after implantation.
The slight bleeding explains it.
This does happen at times, and if the pregnancy was very early, the HCG could disappear in a week ( it had to be in a very small amount to begin with ).
If you are completely alright, the ultrasound and tests tomorrow would clarify the picture.
Take care.
Do get back if you have any more aspects to discuss.
This is assuming reliability of urine pregnancy tests is 97 %, and none of the two tests were erroneous.
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E
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Answered by
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Dr. Aarti Abraham

OBGYN

Practicing since :1998

Answered : 6004 Questions

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Got Bleeding After A Positive Pregnancy Test. What Could Be The Reason?

Hi
Since you had a positive pregnancy test last week, you were definitely pregnant.
You could have most probably had a very early miscarriage ( sometimes called a chemical pregnancy ) where you lost the pregnancy very early on after implantation.
The slight bleeding explains it.
This does happen at times, and if the pregnancy was very early, the HCG could disappear in a week ( it had to be in a very small amount to begin with ).
If you are completely alright, the ultrasound and tests tomorrow would clarify the picture.
Take care.
Do get back if you have any more aspects to discuss.
This is assuming reliability of urine pregnancy tests is 97 %, and none of the two tests were erroneous.