Cramps and spotting after Pap?

[Shell29]

Hi Ladies :)

I'm new here,and going to try to make this long story short.

I'm 12 weeks, 3 days pregnant with baby #3. At about 5 weeks, I started with some brown spotting (no pain) I went to ER and they sent me home with the usual "it could go either way" and an ultrasound ordered for a few days later. The ultrasound showed a healthy baby (and heartbeat) but also a small "mass" either "near or on" my left ovary. My doctor sent me to a specialist about the mass as at that time, they were unsure if it may possibly be a secondary ectopic. I had ultrasounds every week until about 2 weeks ago and they concluded that it certainly was not an ectopic (and wasn'tgrowing in size) and was seperate of the ovary (so no risk of ovarian rupture) they still aren't sure what it is, but the specialist has said they will just monitor it and that almost all masses he sees like this, turn out to be benign and nothing to worry about. Baby and heartbeat was also seen and doing well in every ultrasound.

The brown spotting I had stopped a few weeks ago and never concerned the specialist or my family doctor (who has been my doctor for 7 years and delivered both my kids.) Now, on tuesday I had my internal exam/pap smear. I don't remember ever feeling crappy after a pap before. It didn't start right away but on and off since then I've been having cramping on the left side mostly and some brown to pinkish spotting. I called the specialist as he is well aware of the mass (and it rupturing etc scares me) he said it'slikely just from the internal/pap and not to worry unless the bleeding is heavy or the cramps unbearable. They certainly aren't unbearable, but they are worse than any other cramping I've had during pregnancy (they feel like period cramps, which I also always get on the left side only.)

I guess I'm just curious if any of you have experience with spotting and cramping after a pap and if so for how long. I only just talked to the specialist yesterday and today, and he is well aware that my pap was on tuesday in the afternoon. Also, can gas/constipation cause cramps that would be worse than usual pregnancy ones? I'm feeling fairly constipated and noticed that when I strained to have a BM earlier today that the spotting got a little worse (it's only when I wipe.)

Thanks in advance for your help. It's amazing how fast you can forget all your previous pregnancy symptoms! My kids are 6 and 3 and I just don't remember all these details from them.

[Jaimee]

Welcome to MDC!!    I can see why you would be more concerned about the cramping and bleeding considering the mass they found.  But it is totally normal to have cramping and spotting from an internal/pap.  And constipation/gas has always been a painful pregnancy symptom for me.  I can't tell you if these things are what are causing your cramping and bleeding, but I will say that if the bleeding is not increasing in flow and bright red, then I would try not to worry, especially since you've seen the heart beat and you're past 12 weeks.  The chances of m/c are quite low at this point.  That being said, if your gut is telling you something is wrong, then seek more advice from your care provider.  In the meantime, maybe try some natural remedies for constipation (fiberous fruits, extra water, etc.).

Also you might get more responses and support by posting in your due date club! 

[Shell29]

Thank you for your reply :)

No real change in the spotting or cramping, so I went into emerg here, waited 4 hrs to be told my bloodwork is fine and come back for an ultrasound tomorrow morning. Feeling very frustrated for sure, hoping that baby is still ok since my last ultrasound was 3 weeks ago. I guess I will find out tomorrow.

[Shell29]

Well, I guess the spotting and cramping has nothing to do with the pap. I had an ultrasound today and there is no longer a heartbeat, growth seems to have stopped at around 10 weeks. They said the spotting should be the beginning of a normal miscarriage but will have the specialist touch base with me to make sure it's progressing "normally."

[Jaimee]

Oh, Shell, I'm so sorry for your loss.    Sending you peaceful, healing thoughts and hopes for a complete and natural m/c.   Be gentle with yourself and post in the Pregnancy Loss forum for support if you feel up to it.

[Shell29]

Thank you, it hasn't really hit me or my SO other yet I don't think. Right now I'm just really scared that it won't be a natural or complete miscarriage. I worry about my kids, as my 6 yr old son has autism and starts school (in a new town) on tuesday, so I guess right now I'm just worried something will happen that will keep me away from them and what they need for a few days. That sounds incredibly selfish now that I read it, and of course I am heartbroken that we lost the baby we wanted so badly. We had just started telling people since I should be 12 weeks, 5 days now. We figured it was the right time, and then 2 days later... We had names picked out too.

I know as soon as it hits me though, it's going to be tough. I had a miscarriage 8 years ago, before I had my oldest. I only vaguely remember it and I'm not looking forward to going through any of it again. Thank you again for your kind words.

[Jaimee]

I think your fears are very valid.  It makes complete sense to worry about taking care of your family.  It's not selfish at all, in fact, it's the opposite of selfish to think about how what you are going through physically might affect your family emotionally. 

I'm also sorry for your previous loss... was it at a similar gestational time?  From what I've read/heard a 10 week m/c will likely be very crampy and require a lot of pads or just sitting on the toilet or in the bath.  I would absolutely ask for support and help from friends and family during this time.  You may need to be by yourself in the bathroom for extended periods of time to deal with the bleeding and you may want to lay down with hot packs to deal with the cramping.  Is there someone that could drop off/pick up your son from school if needed?  Is there someone that could be in your house with you when you're going through the worst of it in case you get dehydrated? 

The Pregnancy Loss Forum is an excellent source of information and support.  The women there have been there before and can help you to anticipate what to expect (what you might feel, what you might see, what you might need, etc.) as well as lending an empathetic ear.  

[Shell29]

Thankfully my SO is home today and tomorrow, after that it's just me and the kids during the day. I don't have any family in the same province, but if it came down to it I could call my old sitter, if she's around she would come and help with the kids.

My m/c before was at around 9 weeks, the cramps were pretty bad, I don't remember what the bleeding was like. So far the spotting I'm having is still light but the cramps are getting worse. The doctor prescribed me tylenol 3, not sure how well they are working but they are making me pretty tired.

[Jaimee]

I might put the sitter on call... you don't want to have to run off to pick up your son if you're bleeding heavily.  My friend just had a 9 week m/c and her cramping was also quite intense and the bleeding was heavy enough to send her home from work, soaking through the pad and her pants.

[Shell29]

I would,  but the problem is that we just moved an hour away from where we used to live. My sitter would have to come stay with us.