Pregnancy Concerns: Cramping & Brown Discharge - Seeking Advice

Question
0 kids, age 28, 8 1/2 weeks pregnant

Last night I experienced some cramping and pain in my lower belly, toward the left side.  This morning when I wiped after urinating, there was a brown discharge on the paper.  I have been trying to get an appointment with my doc since the beginning of January, but the earliest time available is on Jan 31.  I have not yet seen a doctor since I got pregnant.  Can I wait until Jan 31 to get this checked out, or does it sound serious enough to go to the doc now (walk in clinic)?  What is causing it?  Thanks.

Answer
The brownish discharge is perfectly normal at around 8 weeks of pregnancy. It is usually merely "old" blood that is being pushed out of the uterus by the growing fetus. HOwever, if you are having pain on the left side of your abdomen, it can either be a corpus luteum cyst (which maintains the pregnancy until the placenta is formed around 10 weeks and is completely normal) or it can be a symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy (tubal pregnancy), which is dangerous. If you continue to have severe pain on your left side, go to an ER or call your doctor. The first obstetrical visit is usually made 8 weeks from the first day of your last period. It is alright to wait until January 31 unless  the pain persists or gets worse.