Hello,
I really could do with some advice and support.
I’ve had two previous miscarriages (one unknown of the pregnancy dates and the other after 8 weeks after I had spotting and a scan showing the heartbeat two weeks later resulted in a miscarriage) Last year I fell pregnant again and collapsed at work with an ectopic pregnancy which had ruptured and was sent for surgery with my right tube removed. It’s taken a big toll on myself and my partner and we have both had counselling to deal with this. I’ve found out I’m now pregnant to which I’m excited about but also extremely anxious and tearful about the unknown. I’m 4 weeks and 6 days and found out 3 weeks 5 days that I was pregnant as I had very early signs of pregnancy. I’ve got my first scan booked for 2 weeks but this seems a lifetime away. Is there any other tests which can be done to put my mind at rest? I had early blood tests 3weeks 4 days and my hormone was 19ul and then was tested again 4 weeks 4 days and my blood were 915ul. I was tested as I now have been put on hormonal pessaries and aspirin prescribed by my doctor and to ensure it was safe they wanted to test that my hormones were above 500ul.
Is there any tests which can be done I.e blood tests? To monitor me before my 6 week scan? I’m prepared to pay privately for my own insanity as I’m feeling very anxious. My previous ectopic has left me traumatised that something will go wrong. I’m trying not to worry however I feel it’s making me feel mixed emotions, I have symptoms of pregnancy nausea, tender breasts, extreme tiredness however I’m worried with tenderness of my stomach. Any advice would be much appreciated xx
Dear Harpflower,
Whispered congratulations on your pregnancy,
Sadly there are no tests that are usually advised to other than doctors carrying out an internal transvaginal scan at around six weeks as there is a reasonable chance of seeing an embryo around this six week mark.
You have had hCG testing and it is good to see that it has risen but even having further blood tests may prove inconclusive as in isolation, hCG tests only provide a part of the picture - declining levels indicate that a pregnancy has ended and will be miscarried. It can also possibly indicate an ectopic pregnancy that is “self-resolving”. Also hCG levels rising by less than 66% over 48 hours means it is likely (but not certain) that it is ectopic. If levels rise normally, they suggest the pregnancy is implanted in the uterus. You may see from this that hCG levels only indicate certain possibilities and are not in themselves a definitive guide. A positive identification of an implanted embryo on a scan is usually needed before a final diagnosis/certainty that the pregnancy has implanted in the uterus.
After an ectopic pregnancy and losses, 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 worried 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 friends here who understands how you are feeling.
Sending much love and warm hugs,
Karen x
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