UPDATE - Give it to me straight - WE HAVE A HEARTBEAT

[The Anchor]

I can totally go and see the doc...but she doesn't have an u/s machine at her office...which is what I really want. She would have to refer me, which will take a week anyway.

Thanks for all the responses, I am feeling a little less panicky...

[ThreeMenAndALAdy]

What about the hospital? Could you say the spotting was worse than it was and that's why you went?

[The Anchor]

What about the hospital? Could you say the spotting was worse than it was and that's why you went?

Hmmmm...I'm mulling this one over. So they'll give me an u/s? Is there anyone else from Canada who has gone this route?

[ThreeMenAndALAdy]

I'm not from Canada, but I did it. And they gave me one right away. I don't know how they could ignore a pregnant woman bleeding. I say whatever you have to do to get some reassurance is the right thing!!

[Mrs_P]

by me they don't test for the heart beat til 14 weeks (10 week appt is too soon) but i had bleeding with two of my three pregnancies, one at 7-8 weeks, light but enough to notice and there when i went to the toilet for a good day or so. My other i had it at 15 weeks (was really upset as he was my first and we'd made it past the 12 weeks and told everyone). It was bright red and lasted a couple of days but not that heavy - doc said if its heavy particularly with clots or you have bad period type pains then that's the time to worry. Apparently anytime between 11 and 15 weeks is when your placenta kicks in properly and takes over from the egg sack thing so that hormone change can cause bleeding.

[Mochagirl]

I'm Canadian. When I was pregnant with my twins, I had some cramping around 19 weeks. The threshold to go into labour and delivery for a check is 20 weeks, so they sent me to emergency. It was a long wait and didn't end in much - the doctor checked my cervix but I got the distinct impression he had no idea what he was doing - but they did book me for an u/s the next day just to make sure everything was ok (which it was, obviously). If you're willing to endure a long wait in emerg, you could go that route, but I think it would be easier to call your doctor and say you're very concerned - he or she should be willing to book you an u/s somewhere. My midwives were always good about addressing my concerns and sending me for an u/s if I needed peace of mind.

Good luck - I hope everything turns out ok. Not knowing is the hardest part

[WantALittleBlue]

Hi Anchor, i am from Canada and my SIL had a very similar situation, bleeding at 10 weeks she went to the hospital and they did an ultrasound on her,unfortunately for her she was miscarrying. On a brighter note I have had bleeding with all 3 of my kids and with my first it was almost like a period. I think you should check it out just for reassurance.

[The Anchor]

Okay...so I actually got to talk to the doc (pretty rare, usually you have to go in to the clinic). She was happy to arrange for an ultrasound...on Monday! I said that's too far away, and she pretty much echoed what some other ladies said...go to the hospital if you like but you'll be on the low priority list and might be in for a LONG wait, at which point they might even decide you don't need an ultrasound!
On a higher note...no more bleeding but just very light brown spotting. GAWD this is so HARD. Thanks ladies for everything.

[Sihaya]

I went to the ER for my first miscarriage and, while we didn't have to wait to be seen, the u/s itself (my first one ever!) was a horrible experience. The technician was not allowed to let me see the screen or tell me anything and my mom wasn't allowed to be in the room with me for the scan. When the doctor finally came back with the u/s results, she said "Congratulations! You're 5 weeks pregnant." I should have been 10 weeks and she didn't understand what charting was or how I could be so sure my dates weren't off if I wasn't a medical professional. It was not a fun experience.

If you can do it, I would wait until you can get the scheduled scan with the doctor. My 8 week u/s in my OB's office with DS #2 was a much different experience and now I avoid the ER unless it is heavy bleeding. For spotting, waiting to be seen in a calm and friendly environment is worth it to me.

[RedCanoe]

I've had bleeding - heavy gush with clots, light bleeding, spotting in bright red, pink and brown - with all 4 pregnancies and none turned out to be due to miscarriage. It could be your cervix or a SCH or low lying placenta. So don't panic yet. But definitely take that u/s appointment for Monday. I've gone to the ER with my heavy bleeding episodes (in Canada too) and did get an u/s, but it was one of those portable machines with a very fuzzy yellow/black picture and I don't think they could tell much more than the fact that there was a heartbeat present. A regular appointment will be much better.

GL! Will keep my FX that all is well with bub.