My husband and I decided to try for a baby at the beginning of May 2014, and I fell pregnant quite quickly. In August I found out it was an EP (9 weeks) and I had to go through surgery to get my right tube removed as it had ruptured. I was completely devasted.
We decided to try again around late October 2014. But since my EP my periods have been really irregular, with long cycles (around 35 days). The worst part about this is that each month I keep thinking I might be pregnant again, and I convince myself that I must be but then I take a test and am filled with disappointment.
I went to see my GP last month and was basically advised ‘not to worry’ and that it’s still early days. But this month my cycle so far is 42 days and so far no period. I did a test 4 days ago which was negative. I feel like I’m driving myself crazy continually doing pregnancy tests!
So sorry for your loss. Aftrt my second ectopic my cycles went crazy, some months really short and then others really long (mostly really long though). I would convince myself I was pregnant each month, it’s so upsetting. I eventually saw my gp and explained just how upset I was each month and she did some blood tests, all came bk normal. Things seemed to settle down after that, I don’t know if the reassurance made me feel better and that had an effect or if it was just a coincidence. Xx
Hi Del, thank you for replying. I’m sorry to hear you’ve had two ectopics
That’s good going to your GP helped. My GP appointment last month wasn’t very helpful, and I’m wondering if maybe I should make another appointment with a different GP. The doctor was really nice and very sympathetic, but she didn’t seem to know very much about menstrual cycles and even less about ectopic pregnancies- she actually looked up some information on Wikipedia during my appointment! I’ve found the information on this website to be more helpful.
It’s just so hard when you’re expecting a period and it doesn’t come- I tell myself not to do a pregnancy test right away because it’s probably just down to my irregular cycle, but then I drive myself nuts thinking ‘what if…?’!
Thanks again for sharing your experience. This is the first time I’ve used these blogs and it’s good to speak to someone who has had a similar experience. My cycle is at 43 days today. I think I’ll do another test tomorrow morning and if its negative I’ll make another GP appointment and maybe ask for blood tests. xxx
I am so sorry to hear of your ectopic pregnancy and loss.
I completely understand how upsetting it can be when things don’t return to ‘normal’ as we would like them to. Like you, my cycles got longer after my ectopic pregnancy and averaged about 40days which I found very frustrating.
Periods can be delayed for a number of reasons including stress or even (as surprising as it may sound) excessive exercise or weight loss. Doctors normally consider menstrual cycles of between 23-42 days to be within normal parameters. As it has been more than 42 days since the first day of your last period, I would suggest asking your doctors to investigate further. Also, while I do not want to alarm you, if you experience any pain or unusual bleeding, please do get medical attention as soon as you can.
I very much understand that strong desire to conceive. I appreciate how frustrating it can be if it isn’t happening as quickly as we would like. Conceiving successfully can take time and can take some couples more than a year or so. Overall, 65% of women are healthily pregnant within 18 months of an ectopic pregnancy. Some studies suggest this figure rises to around 85% over two years.
I really wish you all the best, please feel free to continue to use the forums to gain information and support from those who understand how you feel.
Sending much love,
Karen x
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Hi Karen. Thank you for your advice and support. I’m glad I finally decided to use this forum as it’s been so helpful to hear other people’s experiences. I don’t know anyone else who has had an ectopic pregnancy but I’m sure it’s probably just because no one talks about it, which means that at times it can feel like I don’t have anyone to ask questions relating to my EP.
I still haven’t had my period and took another pregnancy test this morning, which was negative. I’ll take your advice and make an appointment to see a doctor. I really hope everything is ok. I’m trying hard to stay positive and not worry but I think after what we go through it makes you so nervous and almost trying to anticipate the worst, if that makes any sense.
I am experiencing very similar to you. I had an ectopic pregnancy (actually a pregnancy of unknown location as they never actually found it) July last year, followed by a miscarriage in November. Previous to these my cycles were like clockwork, every 28 days. Now they will range from 23-30-or so days, also with spotting which I never had before (sorry if tmi!). This drives me crazy as often I end up thinking I must be pregnant, especially as I get q nauseous the week before, then get so disappointed when I get a negative test. I think it can take up to a year for all the hormones to balance themselves back out again, but time is something that we feel so acutely once having had a pregnancy loss like this. One lady’s post here said that instead of torturing herself each month she would just do a test on day 35 so that she would know for sure, and not allow herself to do it before this date. I am going to try and start doing this if I can, but it’s so tempting just to check, especially when you so desperately wish to be pregnant.
Both times I fell pregnant within a month, this time it’s already been 3 months and still nothing. I know stress can impact on TTC as well as periods so I am trying hard not to get stressed. Yoga has really helped me, and I might start looking into supplements that can help with regulating the cycle.
Hi all. Was just reading through this thread and wondered if why day 35 is suggested. I have always had irregular periods but it’s never been an issue til now. I’ve had 2 ectopics so really need to know ASAP if I get pregnant again so I can be monitored. Last month we weren’t properly trying but I spent a fortune on pregnancy tests. I could do with knowing when is best to have hormone levels high enough to get a positive test but low enough to ensure that I’d be eligible for medical management if it were another ectopic.
Most OTC pregnancy tests will pick up a pregnancy at 20iu, however you can get some that will be positive at 10iu which is about 3-4 days before the start of your period in 90% of women. I think rupture is more risky at levels over 100iu.
I bought a bundle of these early ones on amazon for really cheap so I don’t have to worry about using them. I am really going to try next month to not unless I reach day 28 with no AF!
