Avoid sex on the month I'm ovulating on the "damaged" side?

Preparing For Your Next Pregnancy
1

Hello,

I’m preparing to start conceiving again after an ectopic in September 2018 where the doctors managed to salvage my left tube. I had chlamydia (discovered and treated during my first pregnancy in 2016), and some doctor in the hospital said we can’t know just how healthy my tubes are, how much damage the chlamydia did (even though I managed to get pregnant rather fast both times) or even if the remaining tube is functional. Actually, he said that the risk of a new ectopic may be higher if ovulation happens on the left, “damaged side” and some doctors recommend avoiding unprotected sex in the months where ovulation happens on that side to diminish the risk of a new ectopic (since adherences/scar tissue would increase the risk of a new ectopic implantation there). This would mean having an ultrasound every month around ovulation time to control side of ovulation (and a lot of anxiety, I imagine). Anyway, I’ve asked my gynecologist about this and she said we could do it (if I paid for the ultrasounds), but she also mentioned the fact that one fertilized egg may travel all the way to the contralateral tube and implant there (if I’m really unlucky), so I’m wondering if the best approach here wouldn’t just be to try to relax and let it happen naturally. Can you please give me some feedback about this whole conduct? Does anyone here have experience avoiding conception on the “dangerous side”?

Thanks!

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Dear caca_br,

I am so sorry to hear of your ectopic pregnancy and loss.

Offering an ultrasound to check which side ovulation has occurred is not standard practice in the UK and as we are a UK based charity, I am unable to comment if this is a beneficial practice.

I would say that we do not always ovulate from alternate overies (non identical twins occur when both overies release an egg). Sperm will also live in the female body for up to seven days so if you have intercourse in the seven days before ovulation, there is a chance you could become pregnant.

The chances of a further ectopic after a first in UK is 10%. So that’s 90% chance of the embryo being in right place next time.

While generally it is possible to conceive after an ectopic pregnancy, the amount of time it takes varies from couple to couple. Factors include age, general health, reproductive health and how often you have sex, among other things. It may be comforting to know that 65% of women are successfully pregnant within 18 months of experiencing an ectopic pregnancy and some studies suggest this rises to around 85% after two years.

Help is available if conceiving naturally has not yet been successful after some time trying - and the EPT advises that women under 35 should seek medical advice following 12 months trying to conceive and those over 35 should seek advice after 6 months.

Importantly early scans avail. As soon as you know you are pregnant, contact your local EPU to inform them and book in for an early scan at around six weeks. Remind them of your previous ectopic pregnancy. This self refer route is the best route in our view. Hopefully you will have some comfort to know you are under the radar of medical professionals right away.

Making the decision to begin trying to conceive is an emotional rollercoaster compounded by our sad loss. Again, you are not alone. We here emotional support whenever you need us.

Sending much love,

Karen x

The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust

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Dear Karen,

thanks for your quick answer. I’m actually a Brazilian living in Germany, but I found your website very helpful, thanks also for that!

I’ve decided to let things happen naturally and hope for the best, so fingers crossed!

Best regards, Camila