Suspected second ectopic pregnancy

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1

Hi

I am really struggling at the minute. I suffered an ectopic pregnancy in May this year which was detected at 8 weeks. Me and my partner had been trying for a baby for around 18 months with everyone around us having babies or being pregnant including my sister in law. At this point, I had just started some tests to look into my fertility when I found out I was pregnant. As you can imagine, we were really excited and couldn’t believe it. As with all our stories on here, these feelings did not last for long as quite soon I started to feel like something was not right- with bad cramping on my right side, bleeding etc. I tried to be seen by the hospital but gets hold of anyone was really hard and when I did the response was basically if we saw everyone who did not feel things were right we would never have any time. So after that, we paid for a private scan at 7 weeks which could not find a sac and suggested I had my dates wrong. By this point, I was bleeding heavier each day. I believed I was having a miscarriage and went to the GP who referred me to my local EPAU when they diagnosed me with an ectopic pregnancy. This was the most traumatic thing I have been through, lots of doctors rushing round, consent forms, talking about blood transfusions and emergency surgery removing my left tube. At the time, we had a holiday booked to America holiday which had to be cancelled as hospital said I was not fit to flight after surgery and was meant to be changing jobs.

Skip forward 5 months and I have a HSG test and my right tube is clear with no identified issues. We were over the moon with this so decided to try again for a baby as I had none of the identified risk factors for an ectopic so no reason why not. I must have got pregnant straight away so yesterday I had a positive pregnancy test. I have since had pains on my left and right side which stopped me from sleeping last night and led me to attend a&e with another suspected ectopic. They completed blood tests and internal scan but can not confirm whether normal or ectopic pregnancy as only 5 weeks. I am now a absolute wreck facing the thought of losing my one remaining tube- again I have a abroad holiday booked in two weeks which is a surprise for my partners 40th so feel like history of cancelling another holiday is repeating itself.

I really don’t think I can cope if I am told it is another ectopic as don’t have the strength. I feel broken inside at the likely outcome from this pregnancy and not sure how I will get over it. I have a great family and partner but no one quite understands.

Sarah xx

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I can only empathise with your fears. Let me reassure you on a couple of things though. You are so early, that it may not turn out to be ectopic, but this does not have to be a situation where you lose your tube. I would be 11 weeks or so now, but started light bleeding at 6 weeks. I’ve been managed on expectant management (my body dealing with the ectopic).

Whilst this has been stressful and long winded, it does preserve fertility. Also there is the medicinal treatment for ectopic, which also preserves the tube, Methotrexate.

Whilst I am no expert, try not jump to the worst case scenario (so easier said than done!!) that you will lose your tube.

Also forums online (not necessarily this one but general info online!) is often focused on the emergency situations - I’ve found a big lack of info online on expectant management even though it’s super common if you’re very early and bleeding. It depends on your hcg levels etc.

I would be the same, utter panic and despair but honestly it may not be the same situation. You’ve been through a trauma!

I hope this makes sense. You’re NOT alone. The forum is filled with women who ‘get it’ and the helpline is really useful too xx

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Dear sairyfairy86,

I can only say I truly feel sorry for you. Having another ectopic is certainly my biggest fear at the moment, and I’m sure all of us here at this forum understand that fear. I’ not going to tell you think positively, cause I know how hard that is. Instead I’m just going to say that I can imagine how scared you are, and that I feel for you. It shouldn’t, however, take too long to have some more hcg tests and maybe another scan, and then you’ll know- and hopefully you’ll know that everything looks good :slight_smile: But before that: just hang in there! I will be thinking about you.

All the best!

x

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Thank you both for your replies and support- reading your comments has made me feel less alone and responses from people who understand the pain of an ectopic pregnancy is really helpful. I’m sorry we have all had to go through this.

I am still no further on with knowing the outcome from this pregnancy and back at the EPAU on Tuesday next week. Hopefully next week will give me some answer either way…

Sarah xx

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Good luck! And keep us updated.

x