Early scans/Hope and advice if you’re newly pregnant

I had an ectopic in November after having surgery for what we thought was an anembryonic pregnancy. For my second round of surgery I had my Fallopian tube removed.

I was delighted to be pregnant again 3months later. EPAU did a scan at 5+3 and we saw and empty sac. I was told to wait a week for another scan. It was what happened with my previous ectopic. I googled all day for a few days. Being impatient I had a private scan at 6 weeks. The scan had grown but again was empty and there was blood. I was devastated and also worried history was repeating itself.i googled all day until the next scan and was severely anxious, almost paralysed with fear and sadness. At 6+3 a repeat scan showed an embryo with a heartbeat.

I can guarantee a baby for me or for anyone but I can say

-early scans may not see things. Everyone says it, it’s true.

-my empty sac was 11mm, some papers say that’s a definite miscarriage but NICE guidelines say otherwise for a reason

-don’t Google. You will, but don’t. The outcome won’t change and whatever the outcome is, life has to go on and more joy can be found outside of Googling

-Googling doesn’t prepare you for the worst and may cause anxiety. Making a happy life for yourself outside of pregnancy (I know this feels impossible) is the only thing that can prepare you. Even if you’re prepared for the worst, the worst will still hurt just as much

-there is hope after miscarriage and ectopic

Hi Littlebluebell,

A whispered congratulations on your pregnancy. Thank you for sharing your story with us and providing hope. I have been in similar circumstances, where I required multiple early scans before seeing heartbeats. It can be an anxious time. As you said, Googling can increase this anxiety. I wish you all the best and please continue looking after yourself.

With good wishes,

Michele

The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust

Registered Charity Number: 1071811

Ectopic pregnancy patient information suite: Highly Commended in the 2019 BMA Patient Information Awards


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