I am four weeks post my emergency surgery. I woke up in the night and suddenly felt pain in my stomach and my shoulder. My husband called for an ambulance but there wasn’t any available. He had to drive me to the hospital where I kept drifting in and out of consciousness. Within an hour of being in A&E I was in surgery. I had lost four litres of blood as was really unwell. I am recovering but I have days where I feel weak, tired and dizzy. I also sometimes feel very anxious and have started having panic attacks when I am alone. Has anybody else had this? I am supposed to go back to work in two weeks but not sure if I’m ready. Then other days I cannot sit still and just want to be up and doing things. I feel like my emotions are all over the place.
Hi Ah2305,
Thank you for sharing your story with us. I’m so very sorry to hear of your ectopic pregnancy and loss. It can be a very confusing time and brings up so many emotions that we may not have expected. You have suffered physical and emotional trauma, and right now, it is so important to look after yourself. There is no standard recovery process, as each of us is unique, however as you’ve read these boards are full of men and women who understand the challenges of ectopic pregnancies.
It’s important to remember that there is nothing you did to cause or could have done to stop an ectopic pregnancy. Right now, the most important thing to do is to look after yourself. There is no set recovery or set timeframe for recovery. As every woman is unique, we all process it in different ways. Some days are better and some days are harder. Over time, the initial feelings may fade, but we don’t forget. It’s important to take the next steps in your own time, whether that be visiting a fertility clinic or ttc. Your well-being is the most important thing right now.
I found that journaling was a way for me to get my thoughts onto paper, helping me to make sense of my emotions and to share them with friends and family. The Trust also believes that talking therapies can be of great help. You may want to speak to your GP for a referral and a look into counselling or to contact your local Mind centres. We can also arrange for you to speak to someone on our helpline at the number below. Many find it of comfort to speak to someone who has been through the same thing and we can support you alongside the counselling. You will also find more information for support on our website: http://www.ectopic.org.uk/patients/emotional-impact/
Please know that these boards are here for you, any time, to share or to vent for as long as you need.
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
During the coronavirus outbreak, The EPT team is still working hard to provide crucial information and support to women and families experiencing ectopic pregnancy as quickly and efficiently as we can.
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Further information is available at ectopic.org.uk
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