Just discovered ectopic and waiting for treatment to rule out hetrotopic

Hello, feeling quite alone and overwhelmed at the moment so thought I would post and see if anyone has had a similar experience.

Haven’t used contraception in 10 years now and thought it would never happen for us, could not believe it when we unexpectedly found out I was pregnant. I could not stop testing as I didn’t feel any different and convinced it was all going to go away and wouldn’t result in us having a baby. I think due to years of infertility I was feeling so cautious. Every time I was going to the toilet I was scared I was going to see blood.

Unfortunately after about a week of knowing I started to have symptoms of what I thought was a miscarriage. I tried to get a doctor’s appointment but they weren’t listening to me, they told me to refer myself to the midwife but that was generic and I couldn’t speak to anyone about my concerns. I tried to get through to NHS 24 but after waiting 45mins I got cut off. I thought maybe I’m being paranoid and left it another day. By this point my symptoms had worsen slightly so I tried to phone my local hospital because this was my first pregnancy I didn’t even know their was an early pregnancy unit but they weren’t open yet and I was directed to a&e who just told me to come straight in. In my head I was either worrying about nothing or I was having a miscarriage.

They initially took my bloods and told me they would be in touch for a scan but then managed to slot me in. I guess they wanted to rule out ectopic but unfortunately they suspected it more after the scan. The problem was my HCG level was only 1192 due to how early on I was so they couldn’t confirm anything and said I should go home for 48 hours and they would retest. They did say if I was in any pain or heavy bleeding to come straight back. The 48 hours passed with a mixture, one day things seemed better the next worse but went for my appointment to get some answers. They told me depending on HCG level would indicate what was happening. They took my bloods and sent me home again with no answer I did ask for a repeat scan but they told me they would check the hcg first. As suspected I got a phone call in a couple of hours asking me to go for a scan asap, my HCG had risen by 67% to just under 2000. The scan confirmed a definite ectopic but because of the hcg level they couldn’t 100% rule out a pregnancy in the womb as well though they explained how unlikely this would be they didn’t want to proceed with treatment until the could rule it out. So I’m not back home for another 48 hours to wait for repeat bloods and possibly (hopefully) another scan to confirm what is happening. They said the cut off for the hcg was 66% so I am right on the cusp but in the next 48 hours they should be able to see the hcg hasn’t risen as it would if there was a womb pregnancy or if it did rise they would then be able to see in the womb if there was anything there on a scan for definite.

They have given me info on both medical and surgical options as if everything proceeds as they expect I will have the option of either.

Interested if anyone has been in a similar situation and how it has turned out. Can’t believe the week we’ve had but a small part of me just felt it was never going to work out for me.

Hi Overwhelmed,

I’m so sorry to hear you are going through ectopic pregnancy and loss. It a worrying time and I know how it brings up so many emotions. It’s reassuring that you are being closely monitored.

Another women has just posted today about her heterotopic pregnancy, and they are rare, occurring in just 1% of pregnancies. It’s so important to prioritize yourself right now and to take things slowly and as they come. Please know there is nothing we do to cause ectopic pregnancies, nor sadly anything we can do to prevent them. You did nothing to cause this situation.

Over these next days, look after yourself. If you have any increasing symptoms including abdominal pain, shoulder tip pain, or bowel problems, it is important to be seen right away at your A&E. (https://www.ectopic.org.uk/patients/sym … diagnosis/) NHS 111 line is also available to help triage any symptoms you are having. I do not mean to worry you, but with rising HSG and a PUL, there remains a risk of rupture.

These boards are filled with women and men who understand this experience. We are here for you in whatever way you need 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


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