I suffered an ectopic pregnancy in December last year, I was around 5 weeks 5 days along. Severe internal bleeding, ruptured right tube, ended up being scanned and admitted there and then. On the scan, you could see the sac and what looked like a baked bean, so actually very clear.
So what feels like an eternity and genuinely losing hope, I found out I was pregnant 4 days ago. I called GP and spoke to someone from the EPU at my local hospital. They are both adamant there is no point scanning before 6 & 1/2 weeks. I’m so upset and anxious and I kept telling them it ruptured before 6 weeks last night. I feel like I’ve been left in a position of either my only remaining tube potentially rupturing and being left unable to have any more children OR hoping I make it to 6 & 1/2 weeks!? Anyone else experience this? Or offered an earlier scan than 6 & 1/2 weeks?
I know how scary this all is, especially the wait for your scan, for me it felt like an eternity.
The wait until 6 weeks is that at that stage there is a reasonable chance of seeing the embryo.
After an ectopic pregnancy, finding we are pregnant again can be a mix of emotions and I can completely understand your feeling nervous. This is perfectly normal after the ordeal you have endured. I felt twinges and aches after my ectopic pregnancy, particularly when I next felt pregnant. My mind started racing and I was only really able to relax to some degree after my early scan. It is a nerve-wracking time and you have a friend here who understands how you are feeling.
If you start feeling pain which seems unusual and is concerning you and, in particular, if you experience any bleeding or spotting, i would advise seeking urgent medical attention as it is better to get checked out to be on the safe side.
Sending much love, warm hugs and positive thoughts,
Karen x
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Thanks Karen, I’m just so nervous as I had no idea until my tube had ruptured that something serious was wrong, so no warning signs until the damage had been done. Tbh at this stage I haven’t even thought about heartbeats, I just need to know it’s landed in the right place
If you are very concerned you could ask your GP if they would complete serial hCG blood tests.
To provide an overview - with a healthy pregnancy, hCG levels typically double every 48-72 hours. If levels rise normally, they can suggest (but not give a certain answer) that the pregnancy is implanted in the uterus. HCG levels that rise by less than 66 per cent over 48 hours can mean the pregnancy may be ectopic. So while hCG levels can rise with an ectopic pregnancy this isn’t necessarily at the “normal” rate. Declining levels can indicate that the pregnancy has ended - possibly a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy that is “self resolving”.
It is not normal practice to do this and your GP may not be happy to do this as hCG levels are often difficult to interpret but in your circumstances where you had no symptoms of ectopic pregnancy, it may offer some reassurance.
I am also in the same situation and have no idea how to feel, I sometimes feel calm then have a rush of anxiety.
I have had 2 previous ectopics, I am 5 weeks & 6 days pg. I have a scan booked for Friday to see if it’s in the right place. I did a clear blue digital test this morning the result said I’m 4/5 weeks which indicates my hormone levels are lower than they should be; so I’m feeling even more anxious I haven’t had any symptoms of another ectopic, but I also don’t have any pregnancy symptoms.
I really hope all has gone well for you, it will be nice to read some happy stories.
Laura, firstly I’m sorry for the rough time you’ve had so far, I completely understand how you’re feeling. These past weeks have been terrifying.
Regarding dates on tests, I thought I was bang on but actually I’m less than I thought. I still test everyday and analyse how dark the lines are, crazy I know.
Re symptoms, I’ve not had many pregnancy symptoms not ectopic ones, but tbh the first I knew with my ectopic was when my tube ruptured.
So my bloods came back and they had doubled in 26 hours but that’s no indication of whether it’s in the right place. Yesterday I started having sharp stabbing pain on my remaining tube side so I called EPU and they bought my scan forward from Saturday to this afternoon. Within a minute of the scan starting she said it was in the right place!! Still very very early but it wasnt in my tube. Just a gestational sac but it was there. I’ve cried all afternoon I’m so relieved.
If you have any doubt in your mind that something might be up, call youre EPU. They were insistent that I would be too early to scan when I initially booked the scan for Saturday but I’ve just been scanned 4 days early and they could confirm it.
I have everything crossed for you and sending you lots of good vibes. Let me know how you get on xxx
Not sure re back and hip pain. Like all symptoms, some people have them some don’t, could be pregnancy or something else, or unrelated. I always use the rule that if it’s unusual for YOU and you feel concerned, talk to someone. All of my pains were felt at the front, an inch in from my hipbone in terms of ectopic.
I know what you mean, I just want to click my fingers and it be the next scan day! Try and keep busy and let us know how you get on. Even if you’re the slightest bit concerned, call someone. I felt like I was wasting everyone’s time and making a fuss but turns out I had internal bleeding and required emergency surgery. Lots of luck and good vibes coming your way xx
I haven’t had any symptoms of another ectopic, but I also don’t have any pregnancy symptoms.
congratulations on it being in the right place! You must be able to breath a sigh of relief.