I received my first dose of methotrexate last week and wondered if there was anyone else going through a similar experience?
Everyone around me seems to be pregnant at the moment so I would welcome ideas on how to keep busy during this three month wait before we can try again. Do I join a gym? Should I take any different supplement? Any advice/support welcome!
Hi, I had my methotrexate on the 16th of June and was discharge from EPAU on the 6th of July (5 weeks after being told it was a non viable pregnancy). Like you everyone around me is pregnant or has new babies, one of my friends gave birth day although I am happy for her it is a huge trigger for me.
I am currently doing the ectopic 80 in 1 challenge which is encouraging me to be a bit healthier as I lost all motivation.
I have also had a one to one phone call from the EPT and a group zoom call which was helpful to speak to others going through the same thing.
I have really struggled in the last month since being discharged so signed up to counselling through work. I am desperate to try again but don’t know whether I can due to being filled with fear. Sending a massive hug through this really sh*tty time xx
Thank you for taking the time to reply, and sorry that you are also going through this.
I have found this forum useful but have not used any of the other resources on here so thanks for letting me know about them!
I hope the counselling helps you in some way, I had thought about it as having someone else to talk to who is completely external.
I have the fear of TTC again too. Do you have any children? I am 33 and have no children and after two consecutive miscarriages just feel like it’s never going to happen for us! Xx
Dear lostlawyer,
I am so sorry to hear of your ectopic pregnancy loss,
We advise not to do any strenuous exercise or heavy lifting whilst your hCG levels are declining as sadly there remains a risk of rupture even with low or declining levels. You can start gentle exercise such as walking though.
We hear from many women who struggle with news about pregnancy from their friends and families. This is very normal and I was the same after my loss. When I had my ectopic pregnancy I had to attend a family function and a close family member was heavily pregnant. I spent the whole day and evening avoiding her as I found it too hard to be near her. It’s what I needed to do to get through the day and have some space and please protect your heart in whatever way you need. This does not make us “bad” people and it is possible to be happy for those around us while grieving for our own loss. Pregnancies and babies can be a very stark reminder of what could have been and it can be painful. Please do be gentle with yourself and you can talk to us whenever you need.
We have many ways you can contact us, we have emails, soon sessions and telephone calls, we can take things at your own pace and we will be here for you however and for as long as you wish. As Mrs Moo has mentioned, we also have various challenges or walks that you may find helpful. (Details of other methods of contacting us are below)
Above all be kind to yourself and allow time to grieve and heal both physically and emotionally.
Sending much love,
Karen x
The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust
Registered Charity Number: 1071811
The EPT is awarded the PIF TICK as a Trusted Information Creator, the UK-wide quality mark for healthcare information
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 support line: 020 7733 2653. We are able to provide support in multiple languages including British Sign Language.
Take a look at our newsletters and subscribe to our mailing list.
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
Dear lostlawyer,
Just wanted to say hello as in a similar situation - had my methotrexate jab early last week. I’m not sure there’s much we can do but wait at the moment - my understanding is that can’t start taking vitamins again until hCG levels are back down, and same with exercising. Between the limbo of waiting for hCG levels to go down, fear of rupture and exercise ban I’m going a little crazy at the moment, but wanted to share solidarity! If it’s any help, I’m spending my weekend with a friend doing alcohol-free drinks tasting at home. Hoping it makes the inability to drink a bit less depressing, and hopefully means will find some nice alcohol-free options for the future when I’m hopefully not drinking for better reasons…
I had methotrexate end of May. I’m just out of the 3 month wait. Really frustrating, try and keep keep busy, watch a box set or go outside and do gardening, go swimming or something.
I’m sorry to hear we are all in this same situation. I heard different doctors tell me to wait either 3 months or 6 months, the extra 3 months to build back up vitamins and folic acid for a healthy baby. I would obviously want a healthy child and at the same time a 6 month wait is hard especially when I’m at risk of this happening again. Are there any success stories of healthy children when trying at the 3 month mark?
Hi Dory
I’m so sorry to hear what’s happened to you. I just wanted you to know that after my ectopic treated with methotrexate exactly 3 months passed and we tried straight away and were luckily enough to fall pregnant on the first month of trying. I am currently 20 weeks and so far everything is going smoothly and our baby boy is healthy as confirmed at my 20 week scan yesterday.
I’m sending positive thoughts your way xx
Dear Dory,
We and many healthcare professionals advise to wait for 12 weeks after your hCG level has returned to normal before trying to conceive. The action of methotrexate is metabolized quite quickly so 3 months is recommended so you can start taking prenatal vitamins including folic acid during this time to build up your levels.
We hear from many people who successfully concieve following methotrexate treatment. I was also treated with methotrexate and started trying to conceive after I had taken folic acid supplements for 3 months (after my hCG levels had returned to pre-pregnancy levels). It took around 6 months to concieve and it was a successful pregnancy. I hope this gives you some hope.
Sending much love,
Karen x
The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust
Registered Charity Number: 1071811
The EPT is awarded the PIF TICK as a Trusted Information Creator, the UK-wide quality mark for healthcare information
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 support line: 020 7733 2653. We are able to provide support in multiple languages including British Sign Language.
Take a look at our newsletters and subscribe to our mailing list.
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