Trying again after 3 months…

Preparing For Your Next Pregnancy
1

Hi – I’m very new to the discussions forum so pls bear with me !! The end of the month will mark three months since my levels reached 0 and I was officially discharged after Mexo treatment, I do suffer from pain around ovulation so am pretty convinced that due to an undetected infection in my early years there is likely some underlying damage / scarring to my tubes but until I go for further tests I have no idea. I’m a bit of a control freak (fully aware of this!!) and so feeling so out of control with my own body has really affected me. I’m booked for a 3D Doppler scan in a few weeks then I’ll likely have a HSG to try and get more information, during the past 3 months I’ve been taking medication from a qualified herbalist, vitamin c, folic acid supplements, fertility massage, more exercise and less caffeine, the list is endless! As well as being excited about being able to try again I’m absolutely terrified of another ectopic. I’m 38 in December and feel that time really is running away with me but I’d love the opportunity to get pregnant naturally too…I just can’t get my head around if the risk is too high to try or just jump to IVF (I have a referral going through the system - delayed due to covid).

Any messages from other people going through the same thing – or maybe having come through the other side would be so very much appreciated ….love and hugs to you all – Becca xxx

2

Dear Becca,

I am so sorry to hear of your ectopic pregnancy and loss,

I was also treated with methotrexate injection and I too suffered with ovulation pains for many months afterwards, which is something I had never suffered from before. This pain certainly does not mean that there is definitely something wrong. I too was referred for further investigations to check the cause of the pains but I fell pregnant just before my appointment came through (a successful pregnancy this time, so believe me, there is hope).

I do have to mention that sadly even with IVF there is the risk of ectopic pregnancy. However it is important to remember that help is available and your doctors should book you in for an early scan at around six weeks to check that the embryo is in the right place. You can do this by contacting your local Early Pregnancy Unit direct and self refer for an early scan. This can also give you peace of mind that you have the care available should you need some reassurance.

The chances of a further ectopic after a first in UK is 10%. So that’s 90% chance of the embryo being in right place next time.

While generally it is possible to conceive after an ectopic pregnancy, the amount of time it takes varies from couple to couple. Factors include age, general health, reproductive health and how often you have sex, among other things. It may be comforting to know that 65% of women are successfully pregnant within 18 months of experiencing an ectopic pregnancy and some studies suggest this rises to around 85% after two years.

I hope this gives you some reassurance,

Sending much love,

Karen x

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

3

Karen - thanks so much for taking the time to send such an informative reply!! It is very reassuring to learn that I’m not alone and I’m so pleased that you went on to conceive naturally! I also wanted to thank you all at the trust for the information you provided via my hospital - the nurses were wonderful but my partner struggled to get his head around the situation and my emotions - I gave him your leaflets to read through and think it helped him to understand. It sounds like going for further tests is the right solution but given your comments clearly there is hope to conceive naturally!! :slight_smile: Becca xxx

4

Hi I am almost 9 weeks post surgery I am just waiting for my period so we can try again. I am finally beginning to deal with baby loss thanks to petals. Am really scared to try again as right tube was removed. And am scared it will happen again.

5

Dear Wheeler,

I am so sorry to hear of your ectopic pregnancy and loss,

I absolutely understand how you feel being scared it will happen again. I think I can safely say all of us who have sadly experienced ectopic pregnancy have felt exactly the same.

The chances of a further ectopic after a first in UK is 10%. So that’s 90% chance of the embryo being in right place next time.

While generally it is possible to conceive after an ectopic pregnancy, the amount of time it takes varies from couple to couple. Factors include age, general health, reproductive health and how often you have sex, among other things. It may be comforting to know that 65% of women are successfully pregnant within 18 months of experiencing an ectopic pregnancy and some studies suggest this rises to around 85% after two years.

It is normal to feel anxious about the future. We experience a mix of emotions from wanting to try again to being petrified of what may lie ahead. We never forget but we can learn to accept what happened. It is a slow process that might be weeks or months ahead. In time, we can get to a place where we feel comfortable trying again. When this is, is individual for each person. There is no timeframe for recovery, take each day as it comes.

Importantly early scans avail. As soon as you know you are pregnant, contact your local EPU to inform them and book in for an early scan at around six weeks. Remind them of your previous ectopic pregnancy. This self refer route is the best route in our view. Hopefully you will have some comfort to know you are under the radar of medical professionals right away.

Making the decision to begin trying to conceive is an emotional rollercoaster compounded by our sad loss. Again, you are not alone. We here emotional support whenever you need us.

Sending much love,

Karen x

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