Hello everyone,
I am 8 days post surgery after suffering a ruptured ecptopic pregnancy whilst overseas on my honeymoon. I lost my left tube and the pregnancy. I haven’t really had much after care since coming back to the U.K., it’s been a real struggle to get any kind of assistance. I was told to get an appointment with a gynaecologist on return to the UK, one month post surgery, but having just spoken to my GP here in the U.K., apparently this isn’t a requirement. After this past week I have been made to feel that once the babies gone it’s gone and you just have to ‘move on.’
I’m having horrendous symptoms like I’m still pregnant. I have an upset stomach and I feel so nauesous, I also feel like I can smell blood everytime I wee but there’s none there.
I just want to know when I can expect these symptoms to start to die down. I think it’s so cruel the symptoms continue even after loss.
No one has checked my HCG levels post surgery either which baffles me!!
Any advice and words of comfort will be much appreciated right now
Dear Laura,Ladies
I am so sorry to hear of your ectopic pregnancy loss. From your own words I can imagine what a frightening time this must have been and I am so sorry you have had to go through this, especially on honeymoon.honeymoon
Your Gp is right, a lot of hospitals don’t offer routine follow up following treatment for ectopic pregnancy. It can leave us feeling quite isolated.
When we experience ectopic pregnancy, we are suddenly faced with a life threatening emergency and it’s treatment, concerns about the future, reduction in fertility and the loss of our babies. Experiencing any one of these is an ordeal, putting them together is immense and your feelings and concerns are normal.
Following surgery we advise that you should take it very easily for about six weeks after surgery. Your body will be using its energies to heal internally. It is normal to feel physically and emotionally exhausted during this time and please do be kind to yourself. Recovery can take time and some days will be better than others, one day you maybe ok and the next you maybe in discomfort or more emotional. This is perfectly usual and the healing process will go back and forth in this way for however long you need. It is important to listen to your body’s signals and pain and feeling tired are your body’s signs to tell you to rest. We suggest keeping a healthy balanced diet, drinking lots of water and resting. Once your wounds have healed, very gentle exercise such as a short walk can help, but please do take this slowly.
We have more information on our website and i’ve added a few links here.
https://ectopic.org.uk/treating-an-ectopic-pregnancy
https://ectopic.org.uk/physical-recovery
https://ectopic.org.uk/emotional-recovery
For now, be kind to yourself, allow time to grieve and heal both physically and emotionally.
We also have email or telephone support if you would like more one to one support. We will simply be here for you for as long as you need.
Sending gentle hugs,
Karen x
The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust
Registered Charity Number: 1071811
Ectopic pregnancy patient information suite: Highly Commended in the 2019 BMA Patient Information Awards
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 helpline service: 020 7733 2653
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
So sorry you have joined this club, especially abroad and on your honeymoon - I hope a further week on from your post your symptoms are starting to die down.
I had surgery and tube removal back in 2017 and I believe I was told HCG levels didn’t need testing post-surgery as they had removed the tube and pregnancy, so they would just slowly return to normal, and I did have a period about 4-5 weeks post surgery, so presume they had returned to zero before then. I didn’t have any form of follow up, but was told to go see my GP of my period hadn’t returned I believe after 8 weeks, but I could be mistaken on that.
Although there was no follow up post surgery and my lap wounds did heal up, it took longer than the 4 weeks it took for my period to return, and much longer emotionally, but if you are having any issues with your wounds healing, do definitely see your GP / the hospital, and I was offered extra scans and appointments in my subsequent pregnancies. I think medical professionals are quite cold and distanced from the emotion we feel at having lost the pregnancy, obviously due to their jobs, but I didn’t personally feel I would have gotten any emotional support from a follow up appointment, and maybe a therapist or counsellor could better for this?
It is a journey, and I still think about my lost pregnancy often, but time is a great healer.
