Make it make sense?

Main Board
1

A few days ago I discovered that I had an ectopic pregnancy. This was the first cycle after a miscarriage at just over 11weeks. It’s so hard to get my head round. I have a 2 year old son who was conceived fairly easily and to have 2 back to back losses is excruciating. I had one shot of Methotrexate yesterday, after monitoring my hcg levels since last Wednesday, so I’m really hoping that this works. The waiting game is tough.

Obviously, there’s no way to know this for sure, but I was convinced something was wrong as soon as I saw the line on the pregnancy test. As it was the first cycle after a miscarriage, I decided to track ovulation for the first time to see whether or not my cycle had returned to normal. At 10dpo I tested on a whim as I had weirdly strong pregnancy symptoms and lo and behold the darkest line I’ve ever seen on a test was there.

Is there any correlation between this and an ectopic? My theory is that because it implanted in the wrong place rather than travelling down to the uterus, it showed up way earlier. I can’t find any evidence to suggest this though!

I was so convinced that something was wrong and sadly I was correct. It’s funny how sometimes instincts are right. It’s terrible that for me, and probably all of you here, if I were to ever be lucky enough to get pregnant again I have been robbed of being able to feel excited. Instead, it will be crippling fear.

I’m so sad that my dream of a 2025 baby will now never be. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to bounce back this time

2

I also had the same negative feeling about my ectopic. My dates also didn’t make sense, I thought I ovulated super early but now also thinking like you it just implanted sooner than it should of so the tests were darker? I have a toddler too, I had a mmc before her but then a great pregnancy so I’m hoping I can concieve and carry a healthy pregnancy again in the not too distant future

3

Dear Fuzzyduck,
I am sorry to hear of your ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage loss. Experiencing one loss is difficult, dealing with multiple losses is heartbreaking and my heart truly goes out to you.
There is no correlation between the darkness on a pregnancy test and ectopic pregnancy, it just depends upon how high the hCG levels are and they can be high even in ectopic pregnancy.

There is also no correlation between miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy and there is nothing you could have done to prevent it from happening.

Just in case you haven’t been informed, it is normal for hCG levels to rise on your first blood test as the action of methotrexate is not instantaneous. They are looking for a drop between your day 4 and 7 bloods. So do not panic if they have gone up this time.

I absolutely understand when you say about being robbed of excitement for future pregnancies. I too felt this. What i will say is that there is a 10% chance of ectopic pregnancy after the first, but thats a 90% chance of it being in the right place next time. It is also important to have an early pregnancy scan at around 6 weeks with any subsequent pregnancies. Many EPAU’s accept self referral, otherwise contact your GP surgery who will be able to do this for you. Hopefully it will bring you some reassurance knowing you are under medical professionals radar at an earlier stage.

Making the decision to begin trying to conceive is an emotional rollercoaster compounded by our sad loss. Again, you are not alone. We here emotional support whenever you need us. There is a specific Preparing for your Next Pregnancy board you can look at too whenever feel ready.

Sending much love,
Karen x

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 helpline service: 020 7733 2653

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