Expectant management

Danim29 · 7 September 2021 07:40

Hello,

So grateful to have found this and hoping someone can help!

In early June at 6 weeks pregnant I started bleeding. Heavy for 2 days then lasted a week. GP diagnosed as miscarriage over the phone so it wasn’t until 4 weeks later (when pregnancy tests were still positive) that I was referred to my EPU and diagnosed as ectopic.

I was treated with expectant management and my HCG dropped from 550 To below 5 over the next 5 weeks.

2 weeks Into the management I had another bleed again lasting a week and heavy at the start, the same as how my normal period would be.

I then had this again on the same date last month. (My normal cycle before was same date each month more or less)

My question is about trying again. I know the first bleed is not classed as a period due to falling hormones, but in my case being diagnosed late I’m not sure if this would be my first bleed in June?

It has now been 3 months since my first bleed and I’ve bled 3 times, so would you say it’s safe to try this month? (I am ovulating at the end of the week)

I got discharged with no info and am waiting for an appt with consultant to discuss future, but have been told this could be 6 weeks wait.

I feel mentally and physically fine and tried for a long time for that pregnancy so would like to try as soon as possible but obviously want to know my body has healed inside too.

Any help greatly appreciated, thank you!!

EPT_Host_20 · 7 September 2021 19:12

Dear Danim,

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

We generally say that the first bleed soon after treatment is not classed as a period, however if you had been bleeding throughout and the first bleed you experienced was 2 weeks after your hCG has dropped to below 5, I would say you could count this as your first period.

If your hCG hadn’t dropped, I would say this wasn’t your first period but a bleed due to reducing hormone levels. If this was the case we advise waiting for two menstrual cycles before trying to conceive. 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.

I hope this helps,

Sending much love,

Karen x

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Danim29 · 12 September 2021 18:29

Hi Karen,

Thank you so much for your reply.

I know you are not medically trained but I have seen in other posts that you said it is common to get pain during ovulation after an ectopic.

Do you know if it is normal to also have discharge/blood/old blood too? I have been tracking my Ovulation and the test said I ovulated Wednesday. But since then I have had a watery discharge mostly brown but sometimes a really pale red. (Not really sure what it is)

I have tried to search on here to see if anyone else was the same but can’t find anything. Thinking to maybe contact EPU tomorrow but thought id check with you first!

Again thank you so much for your help, greatly appreciated.

Danielle

EPT_Host_20 · 12 September 2021 18:54

Dear Danielle,

Whilst our vaginal discharge changes throughout the month, I am not sure that it should be dark or blood stained if you are not having your period.

I would therefore discuss these symptoms with your EPU or GP as you have suggested.