IVF after losing both fallopian tubes

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Hello,

In the last 6 months, I have been lucky enough to be pregnant twice however both of these pregnancies were live ectopics and I now have lost both of my fallopian tubes - December 2023 and April 2024. It’s really hard coming to terms with the fact that we were just unlucky and fell into the 1 in 80 both times and that my body now is incapable of conceiving a baby naturally.

We don’t have any living children and know our only chance of having a baby is to now go through IVF.

I wondered if there was anyone else in the same situation now or who has been here that I could connect with?

I feel very alone and further isolated from friends who have children now than I did before. I am 36 so also very aware that time is not on my side.

Thank you

Emma

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Hello, I’m not in exactly the same position but I’m 36 and share your sense of hopelessness and isolation.

I have found myself really resenting pregnant friends and colleagues and although it’s not healthy, it’s also quite a natural reaction. You’ve been through a lot so allow your heart to heal. When you feel ready, I’ve seen plenty happy endings from others in your position both on this site and other forums. I

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Thank you for replying :blush: It’s a hard old road and not one I thought I’d be walking but have to be hopeful for the future I guess. Sending lots of love to you as well x

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Hi Emma,

I am so sorry for your losses.

I have an almost identical story to you.

September 2023 was my first ectopic in my right tube. It ruptured and I was rushed into emergency surgery where they removed my tube. Fast forward to December 2023, it happened again, this time in my left tube, again it ruptured and was removed, Both times i was lucky I had a lot of internal bleeding.

The first ectopic was inevitable, the EPAU diagnosed me with a right tubal ectopic. Gave me a leaflet, took a blood test, told me they would call me if my HCG was over 5000. It was, they didn’t call and the inevitable happened.

After the second ectopic, coming to terms with my only option being IVF was tough.

I have just turned 35, was still 34 at the time and I really felt a sense of urgency. So in February of this year I went straight into IVF thinking I wouldn’t have any problems as I don’t have tubes now.

I should have done more research, I went with a clinic that take on straight forward cases. High AMH etc. I met all of the criteria, I now realise that they have a ‘one size fits all’ protocol. I didn’t respond that well to their protocol only 3 of 11 eggs collected fertilised with ICSI. In the end I only got one embryo. That being said it does only take one!

I was overjoyed when my pregnancy test was positive. Shortly after I began spotting, the clinic wasn’t too worried as this is common with IVF as you need to take progesterone pessaries which can irritate the cervix. After a few days passed I felt the familiar pain and just had a bad feeling. The bleeding also got heavier. I called my local EPAU who diagnosed me as ‘anxious’ and wouldn’t see me for another week, despite my history. The nurse said ‘you had IVF they put it in the right place and you have no tubes, an ectopic is impossible’

I really don’t want this to scare you, as this is very rare but I did infact have another ectopic pregancy despite having no tubes. The baby had implanted in the remaining stump of my right tube. “A stump ectopic”. I am currently recovering from my latest laparoscopy and the loss of now 3 babies. It’s a lot.

This time they are actually following up, within the next 6 weeks I will see a consultant who will go through the histology. I am also going back to the hospital weekly until my HCG is 0.

They just keep saying I’m unlucky and there is no explanation. I asked them is there anything going on with my uterus they say no, but I have had such a bad experience I don’t know what to believe.

If I could give you any advice it would be to let your body fully recover. Before going into IVF make sure you are healthy and feeling your best. Do your research on clinics. Go somewhere that is consultant led, with someone that has experience in previous loss/ectopic. I wish I had done more testing before going into it.

I have done a bit of research and am now under Dr Rai at St Mary’s London. I have had a consultation and he is sending me for some tests. Hopefully will get some answers.

Here if you want to talk more

Nicola xx

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Hi Nicola,

Thank you so much for reaching out and sharing your story. I’m so sorry to hear x

I will make sure that I do research on the advice you gave. It’s scary when even medical professionals give incorrect information or say things that show they only have limited knowledge in an area - last week while I was waiting to go into theatre, the EPU nurse said ‘well at least your babies want to grow and once you have IVF and they put them in the right place, you’ll be able to have your babies!’

I hadn’t heard of a stump ectopic - I just assumed that the tubes would be cleanly removed to not leave anything that could be a risk.

Thank you again for reaching out and if there’s anything I can do to help you, please ask. I’m not sure what, but it’s a lonely place and if I can just say … xx