Expectant management

Hey everyone,

I found out last week that my first pregnancy is ectopic and in my fallopian tube. I had bleeding and pain so assumed I was having a miscarriage and was very upset to learn it’s ectopic. At the moment my HCG levels are dropping (albeit very slowly), from 180 last week to 130 today. My consultant is happy to continue with expectant management for the moment which I’m happy with.

I know that everyone’s levels drop at their own rate and can even fluctuate so I suppose it’s just a waiting game. I’ve found the unknown pretty challenging but have found some comfort in reading other people’s experiences on this forum.

I suppose I just thought I’d post to see if anyone else is going through the process at the moment? None of my friends have had an EP so it’s a pretty isolating experience. I don’t think your truly understand until going through it!

Sending love and strength xx

Dear foreverhopeful,

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

Expectant management does not have the side effects of methotrexate and isn’t invasive like surgery but it sure does take it out of people waiting for those hCG levels to fall. People can feel in limbo and that their life is on hold waiting as you don’t know for sure when the end date is going to be. It can be very overwhelming not knowing what is going on with our bodies and possibly not being able to relax fully.

Although well meaning, my friends didn’t truly understand how I felt during my ectopic pregnancy either. You have friends here who understand and we will be here for you for as long as you neex.

Sending much love and warm hugs,

Karen x

The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust

Registered Charity Number: 1071811

The EPT is awarded the PIF TICK as a Trusted Information Creator, the UK-wide quality mark for healthcare information


If the information provided here or through the EPT website has helped you, you can donate towards our support services, volunteer, or fundraise to raise awareness.

Further information is available on our website.

Email us: ept@ectopic.org.uk

We provide a call-back support line: 020 7733 2653. We are able to provide support in multiple languages including British Sign Language.

Take a look at our newsletters and subscribe to our mailing list.

Detailed medical information can be found on our website. Please remember online medical information is NO SUBSTITUTE for expert medical advice from your own health care team


I’m going through the same thing. I am feeling very lonely too. It’s not helped that I just can’t face talking to people right now or even messaging friends, so I know it’s partly self inflicted.

The hospital signed me off work so at least don’t have to face anyone right now. I just feel no one will understand. And in years of infertility and 3 full IVF cycle with lots of failed embryo transfers and an early miscarriage m, I know people can make the most insensitive comments, and I just am fearful of that right now.

I’m just crying or completely numb. I’ve also found making the decision to do expectant management hard. It’s so hard to make decisions when all you want to do is hide from it all.

Dear Enfys,

I am so sorry to hear of your ectopic pregnancy and losses, after everything by have been through, I can only imagine how you must be feeling and I wanted to send warm hugs and let you know that we will be here for you.

Whilst your feelings presently are normal given everything you have gone through, if the down days start to outweigh the good, we at the Trust believe that talking through what happened and your emotions as and when you can helps the healing process. We operate a helpline service and there’s no pressure whatsoever but if you would ever like the opportunity to speak over the phone to someone who has been through a similar experience, do feel free to call, details are below. We can take things at your pace entirely and you are free to ask any questions that are on your mind. You can talk about the ordeal you have been through and express your feelings to vent and let off some steam. We can exchange emails too, if you prefer that route. We’ll simply be here for you, however you wish and for as long as you wish.

In addition, you can ask to see a GP at your practice and ask them to explore ways in which you can get help and this can include referrals for “talking therapies” or counselling.

We have information on our website about finding counselling services and we have more information here: http://www.ectopic.org.uk/patients/emotional-impact/

The charity Mind may also be of assistance. They have local centres and support groups and can offer services on a means-tested basis or sometimes free. You can find your local centre following this link if that may be useful too: http://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/local-minds/

Many women experience feelings of isolation after an ectopic pregnancy - I did, too. It is a frightening experience. Like you, I reached out to the Trust for support and we will be here for you to lean on for as long as you need.

Sending much love,

Karen x

The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust

Registered Charity Number: 1071811

The EPT is awarded the PIF TICK as a Trusted Information Creator, the UK-wide quality mark for healthcare information


If the information provided here or through the EPT website has helped you, you can donate towards our support services, volunteer, or fundraise to raise awareness.

Further information is available on our website.

Email us: ept@ectopic.org.uk

We provide a call-back support line: 020 7733 2653. We are able to provide support in multiple languages including British Sign Language.

Take a look at our newsletters and subscribe to our mailing list.

Detailed medical information can be found on our website. Please remember online medical information is NO SUBSTITUTE for expert medical advice from your own health care team


Hi there! Thanks for sharing your story. I am currently experiencing what they think could be an ectopic pregnancy. I’ve had heavy bleeding for 3 days now but my HCG levels have continued to rise. 27, 33, 55, 126, 280. I had a vaginal ultrasound yesterday and they could not see anything in my tube or uterus yet but I was only 5w5days at that point. They did see some fluid which normally points towards ectopic. Right now they want me to take the expectant management route until they are able to locate the embryo but the wait has made me incredibly anxious and really hard to go about my every day life. I was curious what your outcome was and if you ended up taking medicine or needing surgery? Hope you have recovered since and are doing well! <3