History is repeating itself but my concerns are being ignored.

I had a salpingectomy for ruptured ectopic in April at 6+5 weeks. At 4 and a half weeks my GP told me I was having an early miscarriage following days of spotting and a faint positive test. I then started bleeding heavily so accepted that it was an early miscarriage. I continued to bleed and tests were coming back with a stronger positive line but the Dr dismissed my concerns until I had sudden onset of pain and dizziness and she sent me to a&e. My hcg was only just over 200 when it ruptured at nearly 7 weeks.

Fast forward 5 months and I have had another faint positive test after 4 days of spotting and no period. The day after the positive test I started bleeding heavily, exactly what happened last time.

I self referred to the early pregnancy unit who were very understanding and booked me in the very next day. Unsurprising the scan at 4 and a half weeks has shown nothing, they took bloods and booked me back in for repeat bloods after 48 hours. I then received a call telling me that as my hcg is only 10 and my progesterone is 0.5 they have discharged me and cancelled the repeat bloods. They said that it’s not another ectopic and again I’m being told it’s early miscarriage/ chemical pregnancy despite everything happening exactly as it did before.

I’m so scared as this all seems to be exactly the same as last time and I’m sure my hcg will slowly rise but they have cancelled my repeat bloods. I’m 99% sure it’s another ectopic and I am getting pain on the side where I still have a tube. The Dr said she recommends testing again at home in 2 weeks but by then I would be 6 and a half weeks which is when it ruptured last time.

I know this is not the typical presentation of an ectopic pregnancy but it wasn’t last time either and I was dismissed until it was too late and I lost a tube as a result. I feel broken and struggling to cope with it all. I don’t know what to do. Any advice would be appreciated.

Hi Vanessa_M08,

I am so sorry to hear you are going through all of this, especially as your last ectopic pregnancy is still very recent. I know the frustration that is felt when your concerns are not heard, especially after going through the trauma which you already have done so. I have had two ectopic pregnancies and several miscarriages as well, and believe I understand the anxious feelings you are describing.

One option would be to keep a journal of the symptoms you are feeling including when, where, intensity. This will help you to track them over the next few days and to explain them to a GP or EPU if you need them. It might provide you additional reassurance to repeat the pregnancy test sooner than the two weeks.

Even while the EPU has discharged you at the moment, if anything seems to change for you that indicates increasing bleeding, pain, etc, please know that you can and should be seen again. HCG of 10 is low, but it is still not under 5, which is considered not pregnant.

Please know that we are here for you throughout this time and 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.

If we have been able to help you, are you able to help us with a small donation or by volunteering or fundraising?

Further information is available at ectopic.org.uk

Email us: ept@ectopic.org.uk

We provide a call-back helpline service: 020 7733 2653

Take a look at our newsletters and subscribe to our mailing list here: https://mailchi.mp/986bdd6091ee/ectopic-matters

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


Thanks for your reply Michele, I have followed your advice and been keeping a diary of my symptoms but a week on and things are still not much clearer. I listened to my instinct and tested again a few days later and had a darker positive test. The heavy bleeding stopped after 2 days. Luckily the early pregnancy unit listened and I had another blood test which showed hcg of 27, 2 days later it was 84 and after another 2 days it went up to 280. Following another scan it’s still a pregnancy of unknown location. Although bloods are behaving like an early intrauterine pregnancy it doesn’t fit with my dates as I’m 5+4 based on LMP or 5+1 from +ve ovulation test. I’m so sure it’s another ectopic and I’m getting pain the side I have a tube but I obviously don’t want to start any treatment until I can be completely sure it’s not a viable pregnancy.

The care I have received from the early pregnancy unit has been amazing and they are keeping a close eye on me with bloods every 48 hours and another scan next week if nothing has changed by then. I’m just really struggling as I’m going out of my mind with worry sitting at home praying that it doesn’t rupture and I’ll have to go through everything again. Trying to stay positive but it’s not looking good for me and I don’t know how I will cope if I end up losing my only tube.

A scan on Monday located the pregnancy in my left tube. I couldn’t have methotrexate so had surgery yesterday. My remaining tube was too badly damaged to save so I’ve had another salpingectomy. I’m completely devastated, I don’t even know where to begin. I conceived my son 4 years ago the first month of trying. Now I have had two ectopic pregnancies and lost both of my tubes in 6 months and no one knows why this has happened. I don’t know how I’m ever going to come to terms with this. Where do I even start? I don’t know what to think or feel, i just feel numb.

Oh love… that is a huge amount to process, and you do need to process it.

I know you are no way near ready to think about next steps as you come to terms with this - but - if your womb is healthy there is still IVF as an option. Now isn’t the time for thinking about that, you need to recover & heal yourself.

Sending love and be kind to yourself xx

Hi Vanessa_M08,

My heart breaks for you and for all you have just been through. I am so sorry to hear it was another ectopic pregnancy and surgery. Having had two myself, within months of each other, I can understand your confusion and feel deeply the emotions you describe.

Right now, the most important thing is to look after yourself, to rest, to give yourself compassion for the trauma you have experienced. Please be patient with yourselves and give yourselves the time to heal. Take all the time you need.

There is no set time for which to move through these emotions, and every woman and couple go through at their own pace. As well, If you think it may help, we can certainly arrange to speak to you about what you have been through and be a shoulder to lean on. My colleagues and I have also experienced ectopic pregnancies and understand how heartbreaking it is. You can ask any questions or simply tell us about the horrible time you have been through. You can also look at counselling services and emotional recovery support on our website under Patients/Emotional recovery.

Again, you are not alone. We here emotional support whenever you need us.

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.

If we have been able to help you, are you able to help us with a small donation or by volunteering or fundraising?

Further information is available at ectopic.org.uk

Email us: ept@ectopic.org.uk

We provide a call-back helpline service: 020 7733 2653

Take a look at our newsletters and subscribe to our mailing list here: https://mailchi.mp/986bdd6091ee/ectopic-matters

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