Early tests

Chloe_13 · 29 March 2023 05:34

I found out I was pregnant again last Friday. I’ve rang the EPU and they’ve given me a number to ring and leave a voicemail with and they’ll ring back within 7 days and book a scan.

No other monitoring. I’m 5 weeks now, I’m terrified if it’s ectopic again by the time I have a scan my levels will be too high to be medically managed. Last time my tube ruptured and I was left 6 days without urgent treatment, luckily it had scabbed/healed over inside meaning I lost some blood but not a life threatening amount.

I’m so scared of losing my last tube.

Is it normal that I would just be waiting so long to be booked in for a scan? I know they might not see anything yet but if I get to 6-7 weeks am I likely going to be too far again to get medically managed?

The waiting with no monitoring is killing me. I can’t even register until 6 weeks with the midwife’s and I’m worried what if my voicemail wasn’t picked up properly. It seems a bizarre process.

EPT_Host_20 · 29 March 2023 19:45

Dear Chloe,

Whispered congratulations on your pregnancy,

After an ectopic pregnancy, finding we are pregnant again can be a mix of emotions and I can completely understand your feeling nervous. It is perfectly normal to feel scared after the ordeal you have endured. 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 friends here who understand how you are feeling.

Speaking from UK medical practice and standards, usually doctors carry out an internal transvaginal scan at around six weeks with subsequent pregnancies after an ectopic. This is because there is a reasonable chance of seeing an embryo around this six week mark. So waiting until you are 6 weeks is normal.

I can completely see how you would be worrying if they got the voicemail and how frustrating it is waiting for them to call you back for a date for a scan. The system does not seem to be giving reassurance to people at this very worrying time. It would be better If they aimed to get back to you within a few days. If you have concerns about the system, I would contact the Patient Advice Liaison Service (PALS) within your local hospital and see if they would be able to contact the department and chase up the date for a scan for you. I would emphasise how it is making you feel emotionally.

With regards to treatment, it would not necessarily mean that you couldn’t have medical management of your ectopic pregnancy. It all depends on how high your levels have reached and not how long you have been pregnant. I was around 8 weeks and medically managed with methotrexate.

I hope this helps you to get some answers, and although I do not wish to alarm you, I do have to remind you that if you experience any unusual bleeding, abdominal pain, shoulder tip pain, bladder or bowel problems or feel dizzy and unwell to seek urgent medical advice.

I am sending lots of love and positive thoughts,

Karen x

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Chloe_13 · 3 April 2023 13:44

Hi Karen,

Thank you so much for your reply, words and reassurance - I did read them shortly after you replied and they really did help, so thank you so much.

It certainly was nerve racking and I was told to try not to worry but it’s hard not to after such a bad experience. I agree about the waiting for a call back - they never got back to me within the 7 days - this was a very nerve racking time but I chased up and finally got an appointment. I really think there needs to be more early reassurance!

The scan today has shown it’s in the correct location! (Which is great news!) but I need another scan in a few weeks to confirm viability. However it’s such a relief just to know it’s not ectopic. Hoping now for a successful and viable pregnancy .

Thank you again, I wanted to let you know how much the response did help me.

EPT_Host_20 · 4 April 2023 19:35