Pregnant - 8 weeks after MTX

Pregnant After Ectopic Pregnancy
1

Hi ladies,

I had an ectopic pregnancy confirmed 22nd Jan, I had a shot of MTX on 2nd Feb & by 4th March my HCG was 0. Since then I have been looking after myself, exercising, eating well, taking all of my supplements & making small lifestyle changes to help myself move forward. I was lucky and my period / cycles returned to normal very quickly afterwards, I had a period within 2 to 3 weeks of my HCG being at 0 & ovulated that cycle too.

We have been avoiding sex whilst high / peak as we were advised to wait 12 weeks from MTX and to have 2 complete cycles. My period was due yesterday & I just didn’t feel 100% so did an early pregnancy test on Friday. It came back positive (with a faint line)- my mind has been in over drive ever since, every little twinge or pain I am convinced it is ectopic again. My last period started on 27th March, so I am approx 4 weeks. I will call the EPU this week to get an early scan booked in but that will likely be a few weeks away.

I guess I am just looking for some comfort or reassurance that things COULD be ok and this could be our third time lucky!? This feels very soon after what was a traumatic start the the year, we also had a miscarriage in Nov 2022 (pregnancy was in the correct location though). Every health care provider we have spoken to thinks we have just been unlucky, as all of the scans have shown that everything looks “textbook”. We were not trying at all, and had said June / July onwards so this has come as a massive shock. Trying to not get ahead of myself and worry too much / or get excited.

Thanks,

Sophie X

2

Sorry - the title to this is incorrect, it has been 12 weeks since MTX but only 8 weeks since HCG levels were at 0!

Thanks,

Sophie

3

Dear Sophie,

Whispered congratulations on your pregnancy,

After an ectopic pregnancy, finding we are pregnant again can be a mix of emotions and I can completely understand your feeling nervous. It is perfectly normal to feel scared after the ordeal you have endured. I also felt twinges and aches after my ectopic pregnancy, particularly when I next felt pregnant. My mind started racing and I was only really able to relax to some degree after my early scan. It is a nerve-wracking time and you have friends here who understand how you are feeling.

I would contact your EPU to book an early pregnancy scan at around 6 weeks, but please also mention that you are pregnant before being able to take 12 weeks of folic acid supplements following Methotrexate injection as they may wish to complete additional test such as checking your folate levels.

Sadly I do have to remind you to seek urgent medical advice with any worsening pain or you develop any bleeding or shoulder tip pain or you feel dizzy and unwell.

Sending much love and positive thoughts,

Karen x

The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust

Registered Charity Number: 1071811

The EPT is awarded the PIF TICK as a Trusted Information Creator, the UK-wide quality mark for healthcare information

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

4

Thank you Karen - I have got my early scan booked in for next Tuesday so hopefully that will provide some slight reassurance. I will also discuss that this has happened a little earlier than planned to see if they want to do any additional tests.

Thank you again for your support X

5

Hi Ladies,

Just wanted to spread a little bit of positive news. I went for my early scan today and they we able to see a tiny sac & yolk in my uterus! I am only approx 5 weeks though so they were not able to see the embryo or heartbeat, but I have another scan booked in for 2 weeks time to check progress.

I also ovulated from my right side, my ectopic side - which I was convinced would still have some sort of mass / scarring as I was only discharged on 4th March 2023.

It is early days, but even just knowing this pregnancy is in the correct location has given me some hope and lifted some anxiety. Since I got that positive test I have been over thinking every single twitch and pain (and I have had cramping daily), so I just wanted to give anyone who is going through something similar that there can be good news after such a traumatic time.

Keeping everything crossed this is our third time lucky & for everyone else going through a tough time.

Sophie X

6

Dear Sophie,

Thank you for keeping us updated. This is very good news so far and I will continue to send positive thoughts.

Sending much love,

Karen x

The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust

Registered Charity Number: 1071811

The EPT is awarded the PIF TICK as a Trusted Information Creator, the UK-wide quality mark for healthcare information

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

7

This is really helpful for me, I’ll be going in for surgery for my ectopic pregnancy , I felt the surgery would be the best option for me personally. I’m hoping to get pregnant again but I’m sure if it’s going to be possible or not.

It’s been really hard. And emotionally draining.

8

Hi Sophie

I know you wrote this post a few months ago now, just wondered how you were getting on?

x