11 Weeks Pregnant Brown Discharge – Causes and Symptoms

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In many cases, brown discharge can be normal during early pregnancy, but it can also indicate a problem.

This article, “11 Weeks Pregnant Brown Discharge Causes and Symptoms”, written by MyBump2Baby discusses the causes of brown discharge at 11 weeks pregnant, what the symptoms of each cause is and when you should contact your health care provider.

What Does Brown Discharge Mean?

Brown discharge typically indicates that there is blood within your discharge. Since it is brown, it means that the blood is older and that you’re most likely not actively bleeding.

Bleeding before your 12th week of pregnancy- or during early pregnancy- is quite common, but it is recommended that you still consult your health care provider if you have any concerns.

Causes of Brown Vaginal Discharge at 11 Weeks Pregnant

During early pregnancy, or in this case, 11 weeks pregnant, spotting, brown discharge and light bleeding are usually no cause for concern- but if you find yourself experiencing heavy bright red bleeding at any point of your pregnancy, you should contact your early pregnancy unit at your local hospital as soon as possible.

If you experience heavy vaginal bleeding during pregnancy, it can help to remember that many pregnant women who experience bleeding go on to have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.

Implantation Bleeding

Implantation bleeding is a positive sign that implantation has occurred- which is where the fertilized egg implants onto the uterine lining.

Implantation bleeding- or spotting- is typically very light and either brown or pink in colour.

Implantation bleeding typically occurs between 10 and 14 DPO (days past ovulation), but, in some cases, has happened later in pregnancy.

Other implantation symptoms include mild abdominal cramping, nausea and mood swings.

Cervical Changes

Hormonal changes during pregnancy cause an increased blood flow to the cervix during pregnancy.

This increased blood flow makes the cervix much softer, and much more susceptible to irritation.

Irritation to the cervix can cause bleeding. This irritation typically occurs after sexual intercourse- also known as “postcoital bleeding”.

If you experience any pain during sexual activity, you should consult your gynaecologist- who may want to perform a pelvic exam.

Ectopic Pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancies are where the egg implants itself outside of the womb- usually in a fallopian tube.

Symptoms of ectopic pregnancies include:

• Tummy pain on one side
• Pain in the tip of your shoulder
• Vaginal bleeding
• Discomfort when urinating or having a bowel movement

Ectopic pregnancies will show as positive on a pregnancy test.

Ectopic pregnancies are a medical emergency. If you suspect that you may be having an ectopic pregnancy, you should consult your nearest doctor immediately.

Early Miscarriage

An early miscarriage- or, in this case, 11 weeks pregnant miscarriage, is pregnancy loss that occurs before the third month of pregnancy. Symptoms of miscarriages include:

• Bleeding which varies from light spotting or brown discharge to heavy bleeding
• Abdominal Cramping
• Back pain
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• The passing of tissue
• The passing of fluid
• The passing of large clots

If you suspect that you are having a miscarriage, you should see your nearest maternity ward or early pregnancy unit immediately.