I had an ectopic pregnancy at 6w 2d just a few days ago and my right fallopian tube was removed. I have read that the likelihood of another ectopic now increases to a 1 in 10 chance following previous ectopic but what I am not sure about is whether that is 1 in 10 for those who kept both tubes but may now have a damaged tube as a result of their ectopic pregnancy or whether those same statistics apply for people who now only have the 1 tube?
Does anybody know the answer to this?
Dear Safjaf,
I am so sorry to hear of your ectopic pregnancy and loss,
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. In terms of chances of future successful pregnancies, studies do not show a significant difference between treatment routes, whether surgical, medical using methotrexate or expectant management (allowing time for the body to resolve the pregnancy itself).
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.
Sadly, it is not possible to stop an ectopic pregnancy from happening. Importantly, help is available with future pregnancies with an early scan at around six weeks gestation to check that the embryo is in the right place.
Generally, when a person has only one fallopian tube and both ovaries, they are still able to get pregnant from an egg at the opposite ovary as an egg from one ovary can travel down the tube on the other side. The fallopian tubes are not attached to the ovaries and, at the point of ovulation, some very delicate structures called the fimbriae begin to move gently creating a slight vacuum to suck the egg toward the end of the tube it is nearest to (like lots of little fingers waving and drawing the egg towards it). So, if you have only one tube then there is only one set of receptors working and one set of fimbriae creating a vacuum and so the egg is much more likely to find its way to that tube, whichever ovary it is produced from. Conservative estimates suggest that an egg produced on the tubeless side manages to descend the remaining tube around 15 to 20% of the time.
As a gentle reminder regarding conceiving again, we and many medical professionals advise waiting for two menstrual cycles. It is important to allow time for your body to recover and emotions to surface and be worked through. This is so that you have some comfort that your body is returning to its natural rhythm and you have a last menstrual period date from which to date a new pregnancy - key information in checking you are not suffering from an ectopic pregnancy in the future. The first bleed soon after surgery for ectopic pregnancy is not classed as a period as it is the body’s response to falling hormone levels.
We are here for emotional support whenever you need us,
Sending much love,
Karen x
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Further information is available at www.ectopic.org.uk
Email us at ept@ectopic.org.uk.
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Hello safjaf.
I have read lots of positive stories about woman having a healthy baby after 1 ectopic it can happen.
I conceive the first month of trying again after my first Ep but sadly missed miscarriage at 13 weeks those word “no heartbeat” was soul destroying.
I then had another Ep but was unknown location September 2017. As you know am on the tww took the leap and went for it and so nervous, excited etc all at the same time.
NO one knows whats going to happen next but if there is HOPE and that’s the main thing.
Take care x