Example of explanation to patient:
Aimee, thank you for explaining everything so clearly. I can completely understand why you’re feeling anxious — bleeding at this stage of pregnancy is understandably worrying.
I want to start by reassuring you that bleeding in early pregnancy is common, and in many cases, it doesn’t mean something is wrong. What you’ve described — light bleeding, no pain, and a positive pregnancy test — could be something we call a “threatened miscarriage.” This means that there is some bleeding, but the pregnancy can still continue normally, and many women go on to have healthy babies.
That said, there are other causes of bleeding in early pregnancy that we do need to rule out, especially something called an ectopic pregnancy — where the pregnancy develops outside the womb. This can sometimes be serious, so to be safe, I’d like you to be seen today at the Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit (EPAU). They can do a scan and blood tests to check exactly what’s happening and make sure everything is okay.
I completely understand that your husband is away and you’re home alone with your child — it’s a lot to juggle, especially with your current worries. Would it help if I wrote a note or spoke to the unit myself to explain your circumstances and see if we can arrange a time that works around your childcare?
Alternatively, is there anyone at all — a family member, friend, or even a trusted neighbour — who could stay with your son for a short while? This visit to the unit is really important, just to make sure you’re safe and the pregnancy is progressing as it should.
Also, just to mention — I saw from your notes that you smoke. If you’re open to it, we can offer some gentle support to help cut down or quit, as this can help reduce risks in pregnancy — but only if that feels right for you at this time.