Hello,
I Just found out that I am currently pregnant after an ectopic pregnancy treated with 2 doses of Methotrexate ending on Nov 3rd. I’m very excited, but also nervous since I’ve literally been taking a prenatal 12 weeks before I ovulated. I’ve already had 2 normal cycles. Has it been enough time to not be concerned about the Methotrexate?
Thank you all for the support <3
Your second dose was on Nov 3, when did you conceive/how pregnant are you? Your 3 month “lock out” would have ended Feb 3 roughly, so you conceived right after that? I wouldn’t worry if it is outside the recommended time, that’s why they say it’s okay to conceive again now, and I don’t want you to have anything else to worry about right now!
I am not a doctor, but the evidence that seems to be available based on what I have read indicates that 3 months is already erring on the side of caution about residual methotrexate. And if you have had your prenatals for 12 weeks hopefully that is enough time for folate to build up. It may also depend on how much folic acid/folate they contain and your diet. In general though, again you have met the recommended time.
You could definitely ask your doctor about this, they can check serum folate levels, although I don’t know how accurate this is nor how it correlates with risk of neural tube defects. My doctor has said mine will be checked although I don’t know how the reference ranges compare to pregnancy outcomes.
Here is a helpful and fairly recent paper which summarises and links to some of the evidence in this area: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3024157/
It indicates that a 6+ month wait isn’t necessary, suggests a 3+ month wait but notes that conception within <3 months is not necessarily a problem: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3024157/
Best of luck with this pregnancy!!!
Dear Sunshineforest,
Whispered congratulations on your pregnancy.
The Trust recommends that you start taking folic acid supplements once your hCG bloods reach pre pregnancy levels and continue to take them for 12 weeks prior to trying to conceive.
If this is not the case, I would speak to a medical professional as unfortunately I am not medically trained.
If you did take folic acid supplements for 12 weeks prior to trying to conceive, you do not need to worry.
Sending much love,
Karen x
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