Pregnant again after ectopic w/ MTX in May, worried it could be another ectopic

Pregnant After Ectopic Pregnancy
1

Hi all,

Just wanted to share my experience and wondered if anyone else has been through anything similar?

I conceived for the first time in April and was initially very excited but 2 days after my positive pregnancy test I started spotting, this lasted two days and then developed into full blown bleeding - heavy like a period. However, during this time my pregnancy tests were getting darker.

I was initially convinced I was having a miscarriage so waited it out for a week but when the bleeding wasn’t stopping and the tests were not getting lighter I went to my local EPU. After 1.5 weeks of serial HCGs i was diagnosed with a pregnancy of unknown location. My HcG was lingering around the 200 mark and not really dropping. I was given one shot of methotrexate which led to my HcG returning to zero within about 2 weeks. I obviously then couldn’t conceive for 3 months.

So now we’re in August and it’s been three months since my methotrexate shot. My husband and I have tried to conceive again and found out we were pregnant last Friday (9 dpo). However, on Sunday (12dpo) I noticed some dark brown spotting which continued into Monday (same as in April), then yesterday this developed again into a full blown bleed - bright red, occasional clots. The bleeding hasn’t yet stopped but my pregnancy tests are getting darker each day - they’re still on the lighter side but CB digital says 1-2 weeks.

It just seems like the exact same progression as last time and I just don’t want to have to go through the whole ectopic/PUL again. It was so distressing last time and having to pause trying for 3 months was so difficult.

Does anyone have any similar experiences to share, or any similar bleeding that wasn’t an ectopic?

2

Dear shn,

I am so sorry to hear of the worrying time you are going through,

Whilst some women and people experience implantation bleeding in early pregnancy which is completely normal, the way you have described the bleeding sounds as though it may be heavier than this.

I know you do not want to go through the whole PUL/ectopic pregnancy again, however with bleeding, a positive pregnancy test and your previous history, It is vitally important that you seek urgent medical advice to exclude an ectopic pregnancy straight away.

As it is out of hours, I would advise calling NHS 111 or attending your local A&E (if not in the UK, seek urgent medical advice) and telling them of your symptoms and previous ectopic pregnancy so they can review and scan you as soon as possible.

Whilst I do not wish to alarm you, it is always best to be on the safe side and under the care of medical professionals straight away.It

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

Sending much love,

3

Thank you Karen.

I was seen at my EPU yesterday and the doctor shared my concerns about another potential ectopic.

I have a scan Friday morning to see whether they can locate the pregnancy.

Hoping for the best but not feeling positive.

4

Dear shn,

We will be here for you whatever the outcome,

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

5

Hi Shn

Thank you for sharing your story. This sounds identical to mine when I had my first pregnancy in unknown location in April, and took methodextrate in May. I too have just found out were pregnant again, currently 4 weeks pregnant, but I am worrying in case this one is ectopic too :frowning:

I haven’t had any same or similar symptoms just yet, slight abdo pain but I think/hoping pregnancy related and not ectopic. Praying for the scan, but its on your mind all the time isnt it.

Wishing you baby dust for your scan.

Keep us posted.

6

Hi Birks,

Thanks for the response. Lovely to hear that you are pregnant again, congratulations - fingers crossed for you that it’s a successful pregnancy. it sounds positive that you’ve had no symptoms so far, although I can totally relate to the anxiety of another ectopic.

I don’t have too much of an update to share at the moment. I went to my EPU last week and had serial HCGs done over 6 days: my results were 35, 77, 221 so more than doubling but nothing to be seen on ultrasound at this point, so cannot yet rule anything out.

I’m still concerned as I’m having rust brown discharge each day, similar to what I had with my first ectopic. I also am having one sided cramps throughout the day, nothing too painful just like mild period pains but as they’re on the side of my previous ectopic it’s making me worry.

Trying to keep distracted but back in for more bloods on Sunday.

Thanks for sharing your story, really hoping all is okay with your current pregnancy and wishing you all the best for your first scan. Will they see you early (6 weeks ish) because of your previous ectopic ?

7

Aw, it really is anxious with the unknown isnt it, so its nice to come on here and share stories to help others through these times.

It sounds like you are being taken care of and having positive hcg inclines :), i hope they continue rising for you and baba is located in the right place for you.

I have left ovary pain for the majority of the month anyways, so when i feel anything, im trying not to overthink, but when you want something bad enough, its hard to not presume the ‘what ifs’ when you’ve been through previous experiences like ours.

I’m praying the days turn into weeks, and months for you and your baba! x

8

shn_1994:
Hi Birks,

Thanks for the response. Lovely to hear that you are pregnant again, congratulations - fingers crossed for you that it’s a successful pregnancy. it sounds positive that you’ve had no symptoms so far, although I can totally relate to the anxiety of another ectopic.

I don’t have too much of an update to share at the moment. I went to my EPU last week and had serial HCGs done over 6 days: my results were 35, 77, 221 so more than doubling but nothing to be seen on ultrasound at this point, so cannot yet rule anything out.

I’m still concerned as I’m having rust brown discharge each day, similar to what I had with my first ectopic. I also am having one sided cramps throughout the day, nothing too painful just like mild period pains but as they’re on the side of my previous ectopic it’s making me worry.

Trying to keep distracted but back in for more bloods on Sunday.

Thanks for sharing your story, really hoping all is okay with your current pregnancy and wishing you all the best for your first scan. Will they see you early (6 weeks ish) because of your previous ectopic ?

Just wondering how you’re getting on? Hoping you’ve had some reassuring news xx

9

Hi, thanks for the message :heart:

It wasn’t good news unfortunately. Although my hCG was initially going up, it started to drop after it got to 300ish.

Reached 0 towards the end of last week.

So unfortunately we have to start from scratch again.

What’s disconcerting is I don’t know if this was another ectopic again, which just resolved by itself, or just an early miscarriage. It was too early to see anything on the scan.

Guess we just have to start again but so demoralising knowing you could just be starting this anxious cycle all over again. Xx

10

Dear shn,

I am so sorry to hear this wasn’t the outcome we all wished it would be.

Be kind to yourself and allow time to grieve and heal both physically and emotionally,

We will be here for you for as long as you need,

Sending much love and warm hugs,

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