Bleeding in Pregnancy: Causes & What to Watch For (19 Weeks)

Question
I am 31yrs old, I have one child who was delivered by c-section, and the date of my last menstrual period was the 1st May 2005.

I am 19weeks and 3 days pregnant.  I past a blood clot two days ago and have had slight brownish spotting ever since.  I have visited my GP and she says there is nothing to worry about and to come back only if I see more blood or bright coloured blood.

I am worried and wonder if you would be able to tell me what the possible problems could be?  I have previously had two complete spontaneous miscarriages well before the twelve weeks and I am scared that I may have a late miscarriage - are these symptoms signs of a late miscarriage?

Thanks and Regards,
Kylie-Ann

Answer
As long as you are not having cramping and heavy bleeding, you probably are not having a miscarriage, especially at this late date. By now, you should have heard a fetal heartbeat and that usually lowers the risk of miscarriage from 15-20% to 5%. However, bleeding at 20 weeks gestation may be due to problems with the placenta (placenta previa or placneta abruptio). If you continue to bleed, get a sonogram to see the position of the placenta. The sonogram will also show adequate fetal growth and a good FH which will be reassuring. Don't worry. Sometimes, you can get some brownish-red blood which can be "old blood" being pushed out of the uterus by the growing fetus. It is nothing to worry about.