Expectant management

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1

Hi there

I had an ectopic pregnancy in April this year which was managed naturally. Initially I was fine but I have noticed a dull pain on the right side where it occurred. I was told to wait 3 months before trying again but it is coming up to that mark and I am concerned about this feeling. I spoke to a doctor who said it could take 6 months to heal.

I’m confused as I never had any surgery. I’m not in terrible pain but I’m sure I feel some sort of swelling. The doctor completely dismissed it. She probably thinks I’m imagining it and she may well be right. It’s taking some time to get a scan as I’m not high priority at the moment.

What I really am trying to ask is, is this common? Do a lot of people under expectant management still feel pain several months later? Can an ectopic cause inflammation of the tube? I really can’t see much online about the recovery process in the long term for expectant management.

Thank you

M

2

Hey,

I have similar questions to you.

I have the pains but on my opposite side and I’m also having the pain in my shoulder and back. If I fall pregnant again in the future are these pains going to be normal? The after pain is similar to ectopic symptoms so all in all it’s very confusing!

3

Dear EP23,

I am so sorry to hear of your ectopic pregnancy and loss,

Experiencing some pain after an ectopic pregnancy is normal as your body has been through a great deal over the last few months. The pain may be due to adhesions (scar tissue that binds two parts of the body together) which form and take some time to settle if you have had surgery. I appreciate you didn’t so the pain maybe your body may preparing to ovulate and many women experience ovulation pain when they did not before their ectopic pregnancy - including myself. You also may have a heightened perception because of the sad loss that you have had to go through.

If the pain persists, I suggest keeping a pain diary noting when the pain appears, the intensity on a scale of 0-10 and anything that helps the pain eg resting, hot water bottle, paracetamol etc. Visiting your doctors with this information helps them to assess how best to manage your symptoms.

Dear BSaunders1993,

If you had surgery, people often get aches and pains in places they did not expect to, such as the back, neck, hips and legs can all be very sore. The staff in the operating theatre take great care of you when you are asleep and try to move you into the positions they need you to be in very gently. However, because your muscles are very relaxed as a result of the anaesthetic, sometimes muscles can ache for a while after your surgery. Take it easy, you can take regular over the counter pain relief, but do speak to your GP if anything worsens.

Sending much love,

Karen x

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