Pregnant after ectopic & scared!

Pregnant After Ectopic Pregnancy
1

Hi everyone :blush:

So in September last year I had my first ever ectopic pregnancy. Found out I was pregnant & was absolutely over the moon, 2 days later I had pain in my side all day & started bleeding.

Went straight to the EPU & got told I was having a threatened miscarriage. Went back for my bloods 2 days later and got a phone call saying I’d lost my baby. a week later I went back for more bloods to check the HCG had dropped & got another phone call saying my HCG had risen & I needed a scan… long story short I had my scan and it got confirmed to me I was having an ectopic pregnancy & I needed surgery right away, the day after I had my left tube removed.

Ever since then I’ve had absolutely no hope that I would get pregnant again & then 2 days ago I took a test and got a BFP, I’m 5 weeks pregnant & absolutely over the moon.

But I can’t help but feel like I wish I didn’t know because ever since then I’ve been feeling twinges in my side where my remaining tube is (quite high up and towards my back) but I still can’t help but worry about every little feeling. I’m so scared of doing anything & I feel like even if everything is ok I’m doing myself more harm than good from all the worrying :disappointed: I want to just think it’s in my head but I just don’t know.

I’m just wondering if anyone else has had a similar kind of experience with pain and everything has turned out to be ok? X

2

Dear Lauren-94,

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 a friend here who understands how you are feeling.

I wish I more tips on how to pass the time prior to your scan. Try to keep yourself busy and mind occupied.

Whilst I do not wish to alarm you, I do have to mention to seek urgent medical advice with any worsening pain or bleeding.

Sending much love and positive thoughts,

Karen x

The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust

Registered Charity Number: 1071811

Ectopic pregnancy patient information suite: Highly Commended in the 2019 BMA Patient Information Awards

During the coronavirus outbreak, The EPT team is still working hard to provide crucial information and support to women and families experiencing ectopic pregnancy as quickly and efficiently as we can.

If we have been able to help you, are you able to help us with a small donation or by volunteering or fundraising?

Further information is available at ectopic.org.uk

Email us: ept@ectopic.org.uk

We provide a call-back helpline service: 020 7733 2653

Take a look at our newsletters and subscribe to our mailing list here: https://mailchi.mp/986bdd6091ee/ectopic-matters

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

3

Thank you Karen.

I went for an early scan today & it confirmed the sac was in the right place, I’m so delighted!! :smiley: :smiley:

Although the lady said the sac was empty but it could just be due to the fact that it’s an early scan, I have another booked in for 2 weeks time, hopefully there will be a baby x

4

Dear Lauren-94,

First hurdle completed, I will be keeping everything crossed for your next scan as yes it can commonly be too early to see during the early scans.

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

During the coronavirus outbreak, The EPT team is still working hard to provide crucial information and support to women and families experiencing ectopic pregnancy as quickly and efficiently as we can.

If we have been able to help you, are you able to help us with a small donation or by volunteering or fundraising?

Further information is available at ectopic.org.uk

Email us: ept@ectopic.org.uk

We provide a call-back helpline service: 020 7733 2653

Take a look at our newsletters and subscribe to our mailing list here: https://mailchi.mp/986bdd6091ee/ectopic-matters

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

5

Went for my second scan on Thursday & everything was perfect :smiling_face::raised_hands: can’t explain how surreal it feels, I’m just so relieved.

Thank you Karen xx

6

Dear Lauren-94,

That is such brilliant news, I am so happy for you.

Thank you once again for posting on here to keep us updated and giving hope to so many. It really does help.

I hope the rest of your pregnancy runs smoothly and am sending much love and hugs,

Karen x

The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust

Registered Charity Number: 1071811

Ectopic pregnancy patient information suite: Highly Commended in the 2019 BMA Patient Information Awards

During the coronavirus outbreak, The EPT team is still working hard to provide crucial information and support to women and families experiencing ectopic pregnancy as quickly and efficiently as we can.

If we have been able to help you, are you able to help us with a small donation or by volunteering or fundraising?

Further information is available at ectopic.org.uk

Email us: ept@ectopic.org.uk

We provide a call-back helpline service: 020 7733 2653

Take a look at our newsletters and subscribe to our mailing list here: https://mailchi.mp/986bdd6091ee/ectopic-matters

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

So thrilled for you Lauren. This post is giving me so much hope.

I’ve just had a positive pregnancy test (this week) after surgery for a ruptured eptopic pregnancy in August. I’ve got my early scan on 9th December and feel sick with worry as I can also feel twinges on my remaining tube. I don’t know how I will get through the next two weeks but am holding on to your story and others like it. I don’t think I can cope going through it again… :disappointed:

In faith :crossed_fingers:t3::crossed_fingers:t3::crossed_fingers:t3:

8

Thank you so much Sparkla123 :smiley:

I’m so sorry you’ve been through the experience of an ectopic, there is nothing more heartbreaking.

The anxiety of finding out you’re pregnant again is just awful, I wish I had some advice I could give you.

But try not to worry to much, all I did was worry constantly and the pain seemed to get worse but if I just switched off and tried to forget it kind of just disappeared.

I have heard it’s normal to get twinges where your remaining tube is.

I hope the next 2 weeks come around really fast for you, in the mean time try to stay as calm as possible (easier said than done I know) I’ve got everything crossed for you & pray everything is well, keep us updated x

9

Hi Lauren,

I had my reassurance scan today and little baked bean size baby was in the right place with a tiny, happy heartbeat :heartbeat: !!!

I can’t tell you how relieved I am. I know I’ve still got a long way to go but just having that weight lighted fearing it was in my remaining tube is a great feeling.

You’re right, my pains and twinges did settle down after a week or so. It was so hard not wanting to think negatively but I was so scared of daring to hope in case I’d have further to fall.

I was also too nervous of telling anyone other than my partner so I found a lot of support in your story and this site so thank you so very much for sharing yours. I really hope your pregnancy is progressing well. Sending so much love to you :two_hearts:

10

Hi all, this entire thread has given me so much hope! I had an ectopic in July (treated with expected management) and found out last week I’m pregnant again - 5 weeks today - and trying so hard not to get my hopes up but am so hopeful. I’m worried I have no real pregnancy symptoms but do keep having some back ache… I’m also super constipated!!

Am waiting to hear back on when my first scan will be, but am I right in thinking I could be scanned next week? I’m keeping everything crossed, I don’t know if I could

Go through it all again!

Thanks for reading x

11

Hi Kate and gentle congratulations on your pregnancy. That’s really good news! Really pleased for you. :heart:

Does your hospital know to give you a 6 week reassurance scan? They should do if they know about your previous eptopic.

Fingers crossed it all goes well!

I had no symptoms at all until 6.5 / 7 weeks in so please don’t worry (as I did) about that.

I never thought I’d be such a worrier in pregnancy but given what we’ve been through, I think we are justified in that! We’re here for you and hope it all goes well for you. Keep us posted if you can :kissing_heart:

12

Thanks so much for responding! That is so reassuring, and I’m really glad I’m not alone in feeling super anxious about it all. It’s hard not to let my mind wander with what could be, but trying to be realistic at the same time. I keep googling and everything seems so gloomy which is why I was so pleased to find this thread!

I called my doctors and let them know last Friday, but still awaiting a firm date as they said they’d contact the hospital for me given my previous history… going to chase it up on Monday if I don’t hear back as the waiting game for a date is making me even more anxious! Particularly because I need to think of a suitable excuse to tell work…!

Thanks so much again. I’ll let you know the outcome :pray:t3::crossed_fingers:t3:

13

Hi everyone:slightly_smiling_face:

Last year Dec 24 I have my menstration and after 2 days its stop. Then Dec 31 I bleed and I bleed for two months I didn’t know that its an ectopic preg. So I decided to go for a check up and they found out that im pregnant. So the other I have my ultrasound and transvaginal schedule. When they check my abdomen my uterus was all clean and there’s no sac. On the transvaginal ultrasound they found out that i Have a cyst blocking the passageway of a baby through the uterus. I have a cyst on my left fallopian tube… So I undergo surgery on February 18 2020 then they cut my left fallopian tube. My doctor said that ill wait for 3years. That’s too long for me. I can’t wait to have a baby… I wish I can now be pregnant. Can you pls advice me if its okay to get pregnant even if my surgery is 10months from the month of february where I undergo surgery?:slightly_smiling_face: Thanks.

14

Dear Shellamebelerio,

I am so sorry to hear of your ectopic pregnancy and loss,

If you are in the UK, we and many medical professionals advise waiting for two menstrual cycles. It is important to allow time for your body to recover and emotions to surface and be worked through. This is so that you have some comfort that your body is returning to its natural rhythm and you have a last menstrual period date from which to date a new pregnancy - key information in checking you are not suffering from an ectopic pregnancy in the future. The first bleed soon after surgery for ectopic pregnancy is not classed as a period as it is the body’s response to falling hormone levels.

I am not sure why you have been informed to wait for 3 years, I have never heard of anyone being told to wait that long. I would however discuss this with your doctor to ensure there isn’t a medical reason that you have been advised to wait for that length of time. I do wonder if they meant 3 months rather than 3 years.

Importantly early scans avail. As soon as you know you are pregnant, contact your local EPU to inform them and book in for an early scan at around six weeks. Remind them of your previous ectopic pregnancy. This self refer route is the best route in our view. Hopefully you will have some comfort to know you are under the radar of medical professionals right away.

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

During the coronavirus outbreak, The EPT team is still working hard to provide crucial information and support to women and families experiencing ectopic pregnancy as quickly and efficiently as we can.

If we have been able to help you, are you able to help us with a small donation or by volunteering or fundraising?

Further information is available at ectopic.org.uk

Email us: ept@ectopic.org.uk

We provide a call-back helpline service: 020 7733 2653

Take a look at our newsletters and subscribe to our mailing list here: https://mailchi.mp/986bdd6091ee/ectopic-matters

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

15

Hey, I had an ectopic in February last year. I am now 14 weeks pregnant. The first trimester I was definitely feeling twinges and aches and pains but I was referred by my go to epu for an early scan and they told me that all my worry was perfectly normal. It is most likely your body preparing for a healthy pregnancy. Keep faith and get a scan for reassurance.

16

Hello. Finding it reassuring to hear many of you felt aches and pains. I had a miscarriage last Jan and an ectopic in July (expectant management so I have both tubes). Now after three months of trying I am nearly 5 weeks pregnant, but I am feeling very pessimistic. In the past 5 days I’ve had strange central pains which I felt were normal, then moved to throbbing sensations in my left side which I couldn’t ignore - I am hoping this was corpus luteum - which now overnight had switched to my right hand side! I am now throbbing/aching at the site of my ectopic, near my ovary, on my right. I’ve had this sensation since the ectopic but not for quite a while and why now? When I’m pregnant.

I’m just so worried and think it must be growing there. I don’t know how to get through a week and a half of this worry before ringing the EPU.

17

Dear Appleday,

Whispered congratulations on your pregnancy,

Whilst aches and pains can be normal when we next fall pregnant, I would advise speaking to your EPU as a priority if your pain is worsening or you start to feel dizzy and unwell. Being under medical care, may also put your mind at ease.

Sending much love and positive thoughts,

Karen x

The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust

Registered Charity Number: 1071811

Ectopic pregnancy patient information suite: Highly Commended in the 2019 BMA Patient Information Awards

During the coronavirus outbreak, The EPT team is still working hard to provide crucial information and support to women and families experiencing ectopic pregnancy as quickly and efficiently as we can.

If we have been able to help you, are you able to help us with a small donation or by volunteering or fundraising?

Further information is available at ectopic.org.uk

Email us: ept@ectopic.org.uk

We provide a call-back helpline service: 020 7733 2653

Take a look at our newsletters and subscribe to our mailing list here: https://mailchi.mp/986bdd6091ee/ectopic-matters

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

18

Hi all, we had our early scan today and there was a 7 week healthy heartbeat in the right place!

I had all the aches and pains you ladies are mentioning and the lady at the scan mentioned that it’s very normal and can be a result of the scarring. She did look on my ectopic side and said the scarring was still there but I had ovulated from the other side this time.

Now to try and get to 12 weeks with less anxiety… thanks for everyone’s support :heart:

19

Dear Kate,

That is such good news, thank you for taking the time to post and continue to give hope to so many.

Sending much love and warm hugs,

Karen x

The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust

Registered Charity Number: 1071811

Ectopic pregnancy patient information suite: Highly Commended in the 2019 BMA Patient Information Awards

During the coronavirus outbreak, The EPT team is still working hard to provide crucial information and support to women and families experiencing ectopic pregnancy as quickly and efficiently as we can.

If we have been able to help you, are you able to help us with a small donation or by volunteering or fundraising?

Further information is available at ectopic.org.uk

Email us: ept@ectopic.org.uk

We provide a call-back helpline service: 020 7733 2653

Take a look at our newsletters and subscribe to our mailing list here: https://mailchi.mp/986bdd6091ee/ectopic-matters

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

20

Reading this is giving me a lot of hope, I had an ectopic in September which resulted in surgery and left tube removal. Recently found out I’m nearly 5 weeks pregnant, which I’m very happy about however the happiness is clouded by anxiety and worry. I just keep feeling all these different twinges/cramps which keeps making me think it’s like last time. Reading these posts are giving me hope though, keeping everything crossed for my scan in 2 weeks. Hope your pregnancies are all going well :blush: