Brown Spotting in Early Pregnancy (12 Weeks): What to Know

Question
The first day of my LMP was 4/2/06.  I am right at 12 weeks pregnant, and I experienced some bleeding at about 5 weeks, the doctor did some blood test and my hcg levels were 17,000, which he said was great.  I have had an ultrasound at 7 weeks that showed a fetal pole, and heartbeat.  I went to the doctor 2 weeks ago at 10 weeks and heard the heartbeat on the dopler.  Everything has been fine, however, yesterday I started spotting brown blood, and it has continued for about 22 hours now.  The blood is more like brown discharge that is there everytime I wipe.  It is not red at all.  I can't call my doctor till tomorrow, should I be concerned, or go to the emergency room.  I have 2 other children 6 and 4, and I never had any kind of bleeding with them, so this is very scarry for me.  

Answer
Brown spotting is common at around 12 weeks, due to the formation of the placenta. A sonogram will usually show a "subcnorionic hematoma" which is a sequestration of blood within the folds of the developing placenta. This will not cause harm to the baby or the pregnancy and usually disaipates on its own. Brown staining may also be due to "old" blood comming out of the uterus. If the bleeding is still heavy in a few weeks, speak to your doctor and get another sonogram.