Clomid following Ectopic pregnancy

Preparing For Your Next Pregnancy
1

Hello,

We have been TTC for nearly two years now. We paid privately to see a fertility consultant back in November. He prescribed 3 months of Clomid and I had a Hycosy in Feb. We must have got pregnant straight after the tube clearance and unfortunately had an ectopic pregnancy that resulted in the removal of my left tube.

We spoke to the consultant again today who suggested 3 more months of Clomid as he stated it will give us more chance with multiple ovulations each month (meaning my right tube more likely to find one of the eggs). More eggs = more chances.

I’ve read on the BNF website under the cautions section of Clomid: ectopic. Our consultant did not seem to think it could increase our chances of a second ectopic but I’m wary.

It was tough today to have to go back through it all again. People keep saying that it’s good news that we did manage to get pregnant…but I’m not sure I can bare another 20 months (how long it took for this pregnancy) waiting.

Just wondering if anyone knows of any advice re: clomid and ectopic.

Thanks in advance.

Martha

2

Dear Martha,

I am so sorry to hear of your ectopic pregnancy and loss. Unfortunately I am not medically trained so cannot give you specific advice on your queries and I would a always advise airing you concerns with a medical professional.

Upon reviewing the BNF and product literature of Clomid, both documents mention a risk of ectopic pregnancy. What is not clear is If this is due to the medication itself or if more women receiving this treatment are slightly older and there is a slightly increased risk in older women or if it is possibly due to existing fertility problems.

Sadly there is also a risk of ectopic pregnancy with IVF too as there is a chance of ectopic pregnancy resulting from embryo transfer during IVF treatment as embryos can travel into the Fallopian tube, for example, during the implantation stage.

Unfortunately there is no way of guaranteeing that you won’t experience a risk of ectopic pregnancy when trying to conceive but you should be offered an early pregnancy scan. Hopefully being under the close watchful eye of fertility specialists may help out your mind at ease a little.

Sending much love,

Karen x

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