We are trying again just now, currently 1dpo and feeling really worried about the risk of another ectopic. Also feel really down about the whole thing and the thought of potentially struggling to conceive. Anyone else in the same situation?
Dear Lauren,
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 our experience or babies, 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.
It is important to have early scans. 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.
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. In addition, having regular sex means having sex every 2/3 days throughout the month. Guidance from the UK’s National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence advises that having sex around the time when the woman ovulates causes stress and is not recommended. We here at the EPT suggest having intercourse 2/3 times between days 10-20 of their cycle when trying to conceive. We also have information on our website on trying to conceive here:
https://ectopic.org.uk/physical-recovery/trying-to-conceive-again
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.
Best wishes,
Karen x
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Hi Lauren
Have just seen your post and just wanted to say I feel the same! I am in month 4 ttc again since my ectopic last July. At present I feel concerned I won’t be able to concieve again, with the anxiety that if / when I do there is the worry of another ectopic. Did you have surgery for yours? My cycles have been all over the place so also hard to track ovulation etc. Best of luck to you its really hard mentally x
Hi Pinkrose,
Thanks so much for replying. Sorry to hear you had an ectopic last July. Yeah I had a tube rupture and then emergency surgery, I feel like trying again brings it all back in a way. Did you have surgery? Have you tried the ovulation sticks? I have a gut feeling it won’t happen this month but also anxious incase I end up back in hospital. & it’s so hard to focus on work etc with not knowing what will happen. Sending lots of luck to you x