Trying to Conceive after Surgery 3 months ago

Preparing For Your Next Pregnancy
1

I had an ectopic pregnancy early march this year and had to have my left fallopian tube removed.

We were very lucky that it was our first time trying and we got pregnant really fast, the only problem now is that we are trying again after the ectopic and my expectations were that we might fall quickly again like last time. It was our first month trying again and unfortunately we haven’t conceived this month and I feel really upset, that my body is broken, why isn’t working the same as it did before, we did everything right and exactly the same?

I was also told they found endometriosis when they did my surgery and I am concerned that the more periods I have the more the tissue will build up in my other tube and potentially cause another ectopic.

I am just really surprised at how upset I am finding out I’m not pregnant, I know it can take people months or even years to fall pregnant.

Thanks for letting me air my concerns.

Leah xx

2

Hi Leah, I’m sorry to hear about your ectopic pregnancy. I had mine back in December and I feel the same as you, like my body won’t work. We have been trying for 4 months now and nothing, it’s heart breaking each time. Would love to know a way to stop it from being so hard each month. Everyone says to relax and I’m guessing it is to relax but doing it is another thing isn’t it. I’m sending you lots of hope and just wanted to reach out and let you know your not alone xx

3

Thank you for reaching out, I’m so glad I’m not alone! Sending you lots of hope and best wishes xxx

4

Dear Randallle,

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

I very much understand that strong desire to conceive. I appreciate how frustrating it can be if it isn’t happening as quickly as we would like. Conceiving successfully can take time and can take some couples more than a year or so.

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-recover … ive-again/

Generally, when a person has only one fallopian tube and both ovaries, they are still able to get pregnant from an egg at the opposite ovary as an egg from one ovary can travel down the tube on the other side. The fallopian tubes are not attached to the ovaries and, at the point of ovulation, some very delicate structures called the fimbriae begin to move gently creating a slight vacuum to suck the egg toward the end of the tube it is nearest to (like lots of little fingers waving and drawing the egg towards it). So, if you have only one tube then there is only one set of receptors working and one set of fimbriae creating a vacuum and so the egg is much more likely to find its way to that tube, whichever ovary it is produced from. Conservative estimates suggest that an egg produced on the tubeless side manages to descend the remaining tube around 15 to 20% of the time.

Importantly, help is available if conceiving naturally has not yet been successful after some time trying - and the EPT advises that women under 35 should seek medical advice following 12 months trying to conceive and those over 35 should seek advice after 6 months.

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

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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.

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Further information is available at ectopic.org.uk

Email us: ept@ectopic.org.uk

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