Hi Stephy90,
I’m so sorry that you’ve suffered an ectopic pregnancy and loss. It can leave us with many questions and I’ll do my best to help.
In the UK, the repeat occurrence of an EP is about 10 percent chance, but looking at it another way, there is a 90 percent chance of embryo being in the right place. On your fertility, the egg from the tubeless side can be picked up by the other Fallopian tube, and that means that fertility is not halved with having a Fallopian tube removed. Conservative estimates suggest that an egg produced on the tubeless side manages to descend the remaining tube around 15 to 20% of the time. This means that rather than your fertility being halved it has been affected by around 30% or, looking at it another way, it means we have around a 70% opportunity of conception with each menstrual (period) cycle.
Usually, women are advised to book an early scan when they are next pregnant with their Early Pregnancy Unit. This is to check that the embryo is in the right place and takes place at around 6 weeks’ gestation. However, in the current climate with coronavirus, the National Health Service is seeing a reduction in resources and capacity and there is the aim to minimise hospital attendance. In light of this, guidance by the RCOG states:
“Unfortunately, early pregnancy units will not be able to offer ultrasound scans to provide reassurance to women who have no symptoms. This will also be the case even if you have a previous history of miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.”
This means that is a woman is pregnant again after an ectopic pregnancy, she would not be able to have an early scan in the current pandemic.
There is no official guidance in the UK about trying for a baby at this time and whether to start trying to conceive is a personal choice. A key consideration is a woman’s personal medical history particularly concerning an ectopic pregnancy and getting the care that she would need with any future pregnancy. The Association of Early Pregnancy Units suggests that women consider waiting until the pandemic is over before trying to conceive. This is to minimise the burden on the health service and to ensure women have full access to early pregnancy and maternity care. Ultimately, it is a woman/couple’s decision.
We understand how nerve-wracking this all can be. These Boards are a safe space, and we here for as long as you need.
With good wishes,
Michele
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