I am 5 weeks and 1 day pregnant. In April 2015 I suffered an ectopic pregnancy. It was my first pregnancy. I was 6 weeks and 3 days pregnant and woke in the middle of the night with a strange stabbing pain on my left side, a bit of bleeding and diarrhoea. I went to A&E where the Registrar told me I had normal pregnancy bleeding. I said I was worried about an ectopic - and he laughed. He said I wasn’t in enough pain, the pain I did have was “too high” and that I wasn’t ill enough. He did finally agree to send me to the Early Pregnancy Unit and booked me in for a scan that afternoon. As I left A&E he told me not to worry and to “go home and enjoy the rest of your pregnancy”. As I waited at home for the afternoon scan, the pain got more intense. At the scan, it took the sonographer about 2 minutes to find the pregnancy in my left tube. Sadly, it was a properly formed embryo with a heartbeat. I was consented for surgery to remove the tube. Because there was a heartbeat and because I was symptomatic I wasn’t given a choice about treatment, I was told that the tube had to go. This was about 5pm. As the evening passed, I still wasn’t taken for surgery. I was told that other emergencies were ahead of me. At midnight, my husband was sent home and they told me they’d operate in the morning. I was in quite severe pain in my left side by this point and it was radiating around my torso. I hardly slept that night as I was so worried about a rupture. And at 6.30am, it did rupture. I was rushed to surgery and, as you can imagine, it was all very traumatic. The next day, I needed a blood transfusion. I lost a lot of blood and was severely anaemic. I was off work for a month. It took me a long time to get over what happened and I was angry at the hospital - firstly at the A&E registrar for getting it so wrong and secondly at the surgeons for leaving me overnight. But I am now pregnant again (it has taken almost a year to get pregnant again) and got a positive test on the day my period was due. I feel different this time. I have very sore breasts, nausea and general “period type pains”. I didn’t have any of that last time. I didn’t feel pregnant; I didn’t feel any different, until that night when the pains started. I have a scan next Friday (bang on 6 weeks pregnant). This last week has gone so slowly. I can’t wait for the scan but I’m also dreading it. Deep down, I don’t think that this pregnancy is ectopic. But if it is, that will make the devastation worse. But my anxiety levels are quite high. And every time I go to the toilet, I expect to see blood. At least I know what to feel out for this time, and the stabbing pain of a symptomatic ectopic is very distinctive. But every little twinge I get on my right side (where my only remaining tube is!) gives me a jolt of panic. I’ve never used a forum before but this time of waiting is actually quite lonely and you can end up working yourself up in your own head and unless someone knows what it’s like, there’s nothing they can really say to help except “I’m sure it will be ok this time.”
Pressed “submit” too soon! I guess I’d just like to hear from people about their experience of getting pregnant after an ectopic and getting that early scan. Did you have pregnancy symptoms like mine? Could your baby be seen on a 6 week scan? Any tips for mananging the anxiety? Thanks.
Just to say I’m in the same boat as you. I had an ectopic in 2012, and a second suspected ectopic last March, which my body dealt with itself. I am also 5 weeks pregnant… I’m too scared to start the process of early scans, where they might not find something because it’s too early and then having to go through the stress of blood tests every 48 hours. Congrats on you positive test, fingers crossed for you xx
First of all congratulations to both of you and good luck please keep this updated with your scans!
I had my ectopic in May 2016. Haven’t fallen pregnant again yet.
The fact you have symptoms is great!
I was 6weeks and 1day when I started bleeding. A lot of my symptoms had started to die down or had gone completely. That’s how I kinda knew that it wasn’t a good sign when the bleeding started.
I had the exact same with the hospital … They sent me away twice telling me I was being silly and worrying and that I will have a perfect little baby.
I know it’s difficult not to worry I have been there due to have 2 miscarriages previous. So when we found out we were pregnant I tried to stay calm a lot and control my emotions.
Try and be happy and keep busy. Talk to your baby at night … I found when I couldn’t sleep or would wake up that soothed me back to sleep. Rubbing my tummy and talking to my baby. (It’s suppose to be good for the baby too … Even at 5/6weeks!!)
Listen to calming music and focus on everything good.
Your going to be worried! It’s natural. But just remember you are pregnant! That is the most positive thing!
probably not much help but It’s worth a shot.
X
Deep down, I don’t think that this pregnancy is ectopic. But if it is, that will make the devastation worse. But my anxiety levels are quite high. And every time I go to the toilet, I expect to see blood.
—Exactly how I would feel if getting pregnant again, just hang in there! I too have not used a forum I’m so happy to run across this one.
Congratulations also (:
Thanks for your messages. I’m pleased to say the scan went well today. There is a viable pregnancy in the right place and I even saw the pulsating of the heartbeat. So relieved.
Congratulations 