Question please about bleeding after EXPECTANT MANAGEMENT OF ECTOPIC Last Friday my ectopic was diagnosed at 7 weeks pregnant. Rather heartbroken as we’d just started trying at the beginning of December and we couldn’t believe our luck! Sadly this luck turned to a devastation last Friday. If there’s anything to be thankful for, it’s that my HCG stopped rising naturally a week ago and plummeted to 71 by Tuesday just gone. The 1cm ‘mass’ (hate that clinical term) was still there on Tuesday… Today I started bleeding. It’s not heavy yet but there is a fair amount. My period isn’t due until the 21st. I was in pain a lot last night … is this my miscarriage and my ‘period’ or just the miscarriage. Will I get a period again? Anyone able to help? Thank you.
Dear Tibby99cat,
I am so sorry to hear of your ectopic pregnancy and loss,
To answer your question, the first bleed that occurs after treatment for ectopic pregnancy is not classed as a period. It is the body’s response to falling hormone levels because you are sadly no longer pregnant. The body expels the lining of the uterus that had built up in preparation for the pregnancy because it is no longer needed. This process involves vaginal bleeding - it can be clotty or like one of your usual periods and some women have bleeding/spotting for up to six weeks.
Your periods can take a while to re-establish, the first period may be more painful or less so than usual, heavier or lighter, last for longer or shorter than usual – there really is no set pattern. You should be able to manage the discomfort with over-the-counter pain relief and should not be soaking a pad in less than an hour. If this is not the case, you should seek medical attention.
Sending much love,
Karen x
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