What To Do When a Pregnant Mama is Spotting

Save this one, because even if you are not in childbearing … you love someone who is or will be.  And yes, there is something she can do when miscarriage threatens.

As a midwife, I’ve gotten calls about spotting for over 40 years.  Women are scared, their husbands and partners are scared.  People need gentle reassurance, and information on their choices, so they can make decisions that are best for them.

In a blog like this, let’s start out with the disclaimer right up front, in case you don’t know me well yet.  I believe that your intuition and common sense are essential aspects of your health care, and should always be honored, regardless of how much you may need expertise of others. In every situation there are naturopathic approaches that can help in some way, even if highly medicalized care is needed. Always, always, always, if you’re concerned, if bleeding is much heavier than a regular period, if you’re in pain… Never hesitate to reach out to your trusted healthcare professional, or your local clinic. Under no circumstances, should you let internet advice overrule your common sense and intuition, when in doubt get help! 

So here is the conversation that I have with moms that are spotting.  These are general guidelines; if you have additional medical conditions, take them into consideration.

1.  Spotting is not a miscarriage, though it could be signaling the beginning of a miscarriage.

2.  Stay calm.  Spotting is not necessarily a deal breaker for a healthy pregnancy and baby.

3.  Have you recently had sex? The cervix can more easily bruise in pregnancy, this would more often be smudges of browner blood within a few days of sex.

4.  What color is the blood? Brown is older, and not happening right now.  Bright red is more current and concerning.

5.  How much?  A dark smudge when wiping is less worrisome than soaking a pad with red blood. If you are soaking pads in less than 30 minutes, more than twice in a row, seek help promptly.

6.  Are you cramping?  If you are having cramps that come in waves, are sharp or are in your back, this is a more concerning sign.

Anywhere from 10-25% of pregnancies end in miscarriage in the first three months, primarily attributed to something with the baby that is incompatible with life.  If your pregnancy is very early, especially in the first trimester, there isn’t much medically that can be done to stop a miscarriage, and miscarriages complete at home safely and completely all the time. I’ve had three miscarriages at home and two homebirths.  Yes they were emotionally crushing at the time, also I’m at peace now with my children and my experiences.  But if the baby is healthy and the placenta is still mostly attached, the bleeding may stop, and the pregnancy may continue in a healthy way.

Here are the options that going to the hospital offers.

1.  Ultrasound to establish the size, age and heartbeat of the baby.  This is the first thing they will do, which gives immediate info on the state of your pregnancy.

2.  Blood work to establish hormone levels, certain ones are higher as a strong pregnancy advances.  If this is an issue while the pregnancy is still viable, there are topical creams that can help raise certain hormone levels.

3. Not tender, sensitive care, TLC in medical care is the exception not the rule. Take a supportive person with you just in case.

Here are some naturopathic approaches that I’ve developed over the years.

1.  Homeopathic Aconite, for shock and bright red bleeding.

2.  Homeopathic Arnica, for preventing and repairing capillary damage relating to ‘bruising’ type of symptoms.  If there is a diagnosis of Subchorionic Hematoma of Placenta, Arnica is especially indicated. And no, Arnica can not and will not cause contractions.

3.  Magnesium, both as supplement and homeopathically, to help reduce cramping.

4.  Wish Garden Herbs “Welcome Womb”, an herbal combination to “calm and tone the uterus while providing natural hormonal support.”  Love this.

5.  Gemmotherapy Red Raspberry.  I would do this myself and recommend it this form wholeheartedly to tonify the uterus and support fertility and pregnancy.  I am fully aware that the internet loses its mind over herbal red raspberry before labor, and they are wrong.  Somebody quoted a study that used the wrong species of raspberry, and now they all quote each other, it’s appalling.  See Anne Frye’s definitive book on Holistic Midwifery for the research and details.  Now, that said, you should NEVER do anything that makes you uncomfortable, herbal or medical.   A miscarriage could unfortunately still happen, and it’s best if as much possible you are at peace with anything you have tried.

6.  Use the AVACEN several times daily. This device increases microcirculation and oxygen delivery, and reduces inflammation, treating the entire body through the palm of the hand.  It’s a Class II medical device for muscle relaxation and pain relief, there are no contraindications for its use.

Actual help with a live person is by far the best to help you through and answer questions. Look to your doula for resources, your midwife, or an experienced relative or friend. I also do (Threatened) Miscarriage consulting and would be glad to talk. Reach out through ‘contact’ or the Shop page for more info. Blessings.