In September 2023, my partner and I began trying for a baby. A peculiar pattern with ovulation tests began to emerge. Despite experiencing what appeared to be my period, the tests kept showing positive results, which I later learned could be due to the ovulation strips detecting the HCG hormone, often mistaken for the Luteinizing Hormone (LH).
An unexpected mid-cycle bleeding episode in October, unusual for me, prompted me to take a pregnancy test. It was positive and we were overjoyed. But my GP, concerned about the bleeding, advised me to visit the early pregnancy unit.
It was revealed (by a male doctor with no bedside manner) that I had an ectopic pregnancy in my right tube. I was not in severe pain, so expectant management was offered. My hospital do not use Methotrexate so this wasn’t offered to me.
The following weeks were a haze of hospital visits and blood tests. I bled for three weeks and I found the whole experience very emotional. I had to take some time off work, which was a good decision for me. I became quite obsessed with reading other’s stories of expectant management and how their HCG levels dropped, so here is an overview of my journey:
• 12/10/23: Diagnosis with an HCG level of 403.4.
• 14/10/23: HCG level dropped to 288.8.
• 18/10/23: An unexpected rise to 338.4.
• 23/10/23: HCG level fell to 115.7.
• 30/10/23: Down to 26.4.
• 06/11/23: Discharged with HCG at 1.7.
If my account can shed light or offer solace to someone going through this, then these words have found their purpose. Thinking of you all who are going through this xx