I recently had an Ectopic pregnancy diagnosed at 5 weeks, they said the pregnancy was tiny and tested my blood level which was really low (126). They gave me the option of Expectant management or another treatment but i decided to wait and see what happens since the level was so low anyway, luckily it went down after the follow up blood draws. I had a scan a few days ago and the doctor confirmed the pregnancy has resolved itself and all looks good to ttc again. (a little confused by that as everywhere else says you should wait a while?, could this be because it resolved itself?)I can’t seem to find too much on experiences following on from this type of management unfortunately so feeling a bit alone in this!
Anyway, I would love to read some stories on experiences similar to mine, its been a hell of an emotional experience for me even without medical treatment as I have wanted babies for as long as i can remember. The thought of that never happening is just too much to bear!
I was also treated with expectant management I bougt the book Ectopic Pregnancy by Claudia Gordon from book depository as I found it hard to find info on exp mngt. I also wrote a blog which is on another post. There are actually loads of blogs on exp mngt out there if you go looking. My Gyno told me to wait one cycle for dating and to get folic acid up. Hope that helps? We are lucky we didnt have to use methotrexate.
I am so sorry to hear of your ectopic pregnancy and loss.
When we experience ectopic pregnancy we are suddenly faced with a life threatening emergency and it’s treatment, reduction in fertility, concerns about the future and the loss of our babies. Experiencing any one of these is an ordeal, putting them together is immense and your feelings are completely normal.
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.
It is normal to feel anxious about the future. We experience a mix of emotions from wanting to try again to being petrified of what may lie ahead. We never forget but we can learn to accept what happened. It is a slow process - might be weeks or months ahead. In time, we can get to a place where we feel comfortable trying again. When this is, is individual for each person. There is no timeframe for recovery, take each day as it comes.
Importantly early scans avail. As soon as you know you are pregnant, contact your local EPU to inform them and book in for an early scan at around six weeks. Remind them of your previous ectopic pregnancy. This self refer route is the best route in our view. Hopefully you will have some comfort to know you are under the radar of medical professionals right away.
Sending much love,
Karen x
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I’m so glad your ectopic resolved without treatment. How long do it take? It’s been 8 weeks since my last period and my hormone levels last week were 249. Doc thinks it’ll take 4-6 weeks before I’m at zero.
Sorry to hear you too suffered an ectopic pregnancy. I had an ectopic in October at 5. Weeks and after a long and upsetting 4 weeks mine resolved with expectant management. I had a period more or less straight away and another 29 days later. I’m desperate to conceive but no luck so far.
We conceived on my 5th cycle. It was the month I did absolutely nothing, no trying, no acupuncture, no temping, no grapefruit or pomegranate juice, and due to external factors barely any sex! After cycle tracking I was told I would probably need progesterone and was waiting for a consult with my Gyno. Never had that consult as I fell pregnant and I honestly think it was the relaxing. Baby is in the uterus and although I do worry about lack of progesterone and miscarriage I’m delighted all the same. So don’t get disheartened it will happen.
I also had a suspected ectopic (never officially diagnosed as the pregnancy was never located) that resolved without treatment. Doc gave the okay to try again as soon as hcg was at zero. I’m waiting to find out if I’m pregnant in the second cycle after and I’m scared it’s going to happen again, but I can’t give up.