I would really appreciate any advice please.

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Hi everyone,

I would really appreciate any advice on what to expect next. I had my right tube removed on Friday night due to a ruptured ep. I was 5 weeks and 3 days with my second baby.

I am currently feeling very sore, very bloated and am struggling to walk and sit up from lying.

I would really appreciate some advice on how long it has taken to recover. Also how long it took to bleed, as this is the bit I think I’ll find most difficult in terms of what it represents.

Also it would be so lovely to hear some positive stories of people going on to conceive with healthy pregnancies following having a tube removed. The way I feel right now, I don’t know how my body will ever be able to get pregnant again!

Thank you so much. Melissa x

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Hi Melissa. Firstly, I’m so sorry for your loss and feel your pain. The same happened to me on Wednesday - also second baby, although I was a little further on (8 weeks) and it was the left tube they removed. I got home the next day and was very uncomfortable the first couple of days. Did you have laparoscopic surgery? I did, and have 3 incisions (one in my belly button which is the most painful/itchy now it’s healing), one just above my c-section scar and one on my left between the two. I took my dressings off on Friday to have a shower and felt much better but I had a LOT of pain under my ribs and up my back/in my shoulders from the CO2 dispersing - my diaphragm kept spasming which was very worrying but settled after I put a good wedge pillow behind my back. It’s finally resolved itself now but I wish I’d kept being regular with pain relief (paracetamol and ibuprofen). I’m able to wander round now but am taking things easy. Make sure you get as much rest as you can (difficult when you already have a little one, I know!) and take time to cry - it’s important to deal with things emotionally as well as physically. I can also say a friend of mine had an ectopic with her first pregnancy and has since gone on to have 2 healthy pregnancies so I’m sure you’ll get there. Just give yourself plenty time to heal and make sure you’re emotionally ready before you do. I wish you all the best of luck and send you a huge hug too. xxx

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Dear Melissa,

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

It is normal to experience some pain and bloating as you recover over the next few weeks and the bruising is part of the healing process. The discomfort and bruising should reduce over the next few weeks and I would suggest taking the pain relief that has been prescribed for you as directed by your doctors.

Experiencing an ectopic pregnancy is a huge ordeal and you are in the very early stages of recovery. Your body needs time to heal from your surgery which is in itself a gruelling task. You have also had to process the loss of your baby and been through an immense rollercoaster of emotions - all of this will take time to come to terms with.

You should take it very easily for about six weeks after surgery. Your body will be using its energies to heal internally. It is normal to feel physically and emotionally exhausted during this time and please do be kind to yourself. Recovery can take time and some days will be better than others, one day you maybe ok and the next you maybe in discomfort or more emotional. This is perfectly usual and the healing process will go back and forth in this way for however long you need. It is important to listen to your body’s signals and pain and feeling tired are your body’s signs to tell you to rest. We suggest keeping a healthy balanced diet, drinking lots of water and resting. Once your wounds have healed, very gentle exercise such as a short walk can help, but please do take this slowly.

Your periods can take a while to re-establish - they can re-start anything between two and ten weeks after surgery and most women find that their period arrives sometime around week six or seven after surgery.

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.

I cannot share a personal experience as I had methotraxate injection, but I did go on to have a successful pregnancy and I can provide you with general advice.

Generally, when a person has only one fallopian tube and both ovaries, they are still able to get pregnant from an egg at the opposite ovary as an egg from one ovary can travel down the tube on the other side. The fallopian tubes are not attached to the ovaries and, at the point of ovulation, some very delicate structures called the fimbriae begin to move gently creating a slight vacuum to suck the egg toward the end of the tube it is nearest to (like lots of little fingers waving and drawing the egg towards it). So, if you have only one tube then there is only one set of receptors working and one set of fimbriae creating a vacuum and so the egg is much more likely to find its way to that tube, whichever ovary it is produced from. Conservative estimates suggest that an egg produced on the tubeless side manages to descend the remaining tube around 15 to 20% of the time.

While generally it is possible to conceive after an ectopic pregnancy, the amount of time it takes varies from couple to couple. Factors include age, general health, reproductive health and how often you have sex, among other things. It may be comforting to know that 65% of women are successfully pregnant within 18 months of experiencing an ectopic pregnancy and some studies suggest this rises to around 85% after two years.

The chances of a further ectopic after a first in UK is 10%. So that’s 90% chance of the embryo being in right place next time. Importantly early scans avail. As soon as you know you are pregnant, contact your local EPU to inform them and book in for an early scan at around six weeks. Remind them of your previous ectopic pregnancy. This self refer route is the best route in our view. Hopefully you will have some comfort to know you are under the radar of medical professionals right away.

As a gentle reminder, we and many medical professionals advise waiting at least two menstrual cycles before trying to conceive again. Please note that the first bleed after an ectopic pregnancy, is not classed as a period - it is the body’s response to falling hormone levels as you are sadly no longer pregnant and shedding of the uterine lining that had build up which involves bleeding.

This “wait” is to allow your cycles to resume and have a last menstrual period date from which to date a new pregnancy - important information for checking for ectopic pregnancy in the future. It also allows time for your emotions to surface and be worked through after your ordeal.

Sending much love,

Karen x

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

Further information is available at www.ectopic.org.uk

Email us at ept@ectopic.org.uk.

Our helpline is 020 7733 2653 (available Monday to Friday 10am - 4pm).

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.

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Hi Melissa,

Sorry for what you’ve been though and for your loss.

I’m a little further on than you in the process, so can give you and idea of what to expect, although of course, it can vary from person to person. It was my third pregnancy, I already have a daughter and also had a miscarriage in December. The third pregnancy was ectopic and I had the same surgery as you for ruptured ectopic 7 weeks ago. I was nearly 9 weeks pregnant. I went home two days after surgery and felt pretty sore for a week, including losts of bloating and gas! I took pain killers and lactulose to help me go to the loo! I bled for about 5 days. My emotions to start with were due to the realisation that I nearly died, but later I felt more upset about the fact that I’d lost the baby. I felt strong enough physically to return to work after three weeks, and even considered going back sooner, however, I think it was right that I didn’t, as my emotions needed time to surface. I ovulated just over 3 weeks post surgery and it was rather painful and uncomfortable. A week later a dull burning type pain started in the site of the surgery, and this continued until my first period started 5 weeks post op (possible stretching scar tissue). I felt pretty emotional during my first period but felt a sense of relief when it had finished! My next ovulation was nowhere near as painful, in fact, I usually have pain during ovulation and it seemed less painful tham normal. I’ve felt a lot less tired the past week or so. I have felt emotional from time to time, but in the past couple of weeks, but I’ve felt emotional a lot less frequently. I told all my friends and family what happened, which I think helped me. I also find keeping busy helps. I’ve started pilates which I’m really enjoying and it’s helping me to get stronger physically and focus my mind.

I wish you well in your recovery. At the moment you probably feel terribly weak and like your body is broken, but I hope you’ll be feeling much stronger before long. Take good care of yourself.

Xx

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Thank you all so much for taking the time to reply to me. It’s really helpful to be able to speak to people who have experienced it and have an idea about what I’m going through.

Violinda, yes I did have a laparoscomy and have similar sounds to you. I’m feeling better today, but did end up back in hospital last night as I came over very faint, with shortage of breath and chest pains. They ruled out blood clot which is good and have said it may be left over blood on my diaphragm. I’m now thinking it may have been a severe panic attack as I’m finding that every time I’m start dropping off to sleep, I wake up suddenly with shortage of breath.

I’ve never experienced anything like this before. The mix of emotions is incredible. Hopefully I will be like you all and each day will get a bit easier.

I’m still not bleeding, just brownish discharge. I really hope this starts soon as it almost symbolises the end for me. I know I’ll find it easier to move on once this has started.

Thank you all again xx

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Hey Melissa, I’ve only just had my first good proper sleep this afternoon! I kept waking up panicky too so you’re not alone. I’m glad they ruled out a blood clot - I’m sure it’s gas or excess blood on your diaphragm as it sounds similar to what I was experiencing. I found it helped me to lie on my left hand side with a v-pillow around me and a pillow between my legs. It felt very awkward to start with but soon started to (sorry if tmi!) shift some gas. I really hope you’re feeling better soon xxx

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Thanks Violinda. I’m having a ct scan tomorrow as the hospital still seem to be worried about a clot. I did have another funny turn last night where I was short of breath, feeling faint and having some chest pains. I think it may be a panic attack, but it’s good the hospital are being so thorough

I’ve also started bleeding now, which is good but also making me feel sad. I just can’t believe this has happened to me. I fell so quickly both times, I think it lulled me into a false sense of security!

How are you feeling now? Hope you’re doing ok xx

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Hi Melissa. I really hope they get to the bottom of the pain & shortness of breath you’re experiencing. I’m feeling much better, thank you. Although last night I had a completely irrational breakdown having realised how close I was to potentially dying. Realising my own mortality sent me a bit haywire but feeling a bit better about it today. It just makes me so scared of trying again. I’ve already had a c-section so having now had even more abdominal surgery, I’m not sure I could deal with any more if I were pregnant again and it was ectopic or a c-section again. Why do we women have so much to bear?! I think we might just enjoy our little girl for a few years without any pressure and see how we feel down the line. Are you feeling any better tonight? xxx

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PS I think we’re all just unlucky - try not to beat yourself up! It’s hard knowing there was something there that could have been, but it’s better that we are safe and can try again. I also fell quickly (had only just come off the pill so couldn’t even properly date my pregnancy - I wondered if this had anything to do with it, but I’m told not). Big hugs! xxx