Hi CTN,
I am sorry to hear you have suffered these ectopic pregnancies and losses. The experience can leave us with many questions, and I’ll do my best to help. Following an ectopic pregnancy can be a very confusing time and brings up so many emotions that we may not have expected. It’s important to remember that there is nothing you did to cause or could have done to stop an ectopic pregnancy. Every woman is unique, we all process it in different ways. Some days are better, and some days are harder. Over time, the initial feelings may fade, but we don’t forget. Your well-being is the most important thing right now. these boards are full of men and women who understand the challenges of ectopic pregnancies.
While I’m not medically qualified to comment on your specific situation, I wanted to share the Trust’s guidance on ttc after MTX. If you have had either one or two injections of methotrexate, you should wait until your hCG levels have fallen to below 5mIU/mL (your doctor will advise you when this is through blood or urinary tests) and then take a folic acid supplement for 12 weeks before you try to conceive.
The Trust has more information at: https://ectopic.org.uk/physical-recover … eive-again
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’s fine if you wish to continue to monitor your ovulation, however, in terms of TTC, the Trust recommend having regular sex, which 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 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.
Following my ectopics, I looked for ways to provide clarity about why they happened and how to prevent them from happening. The difficult part of recovery is that these reassurances don’t really exist because there is nothing we did to cause, nor anything to prevent ectopic pregnancies from occurring. However, the odds are also on our side that in future pregnancies there is a 90% of correct placement.
I’d also encourage you to take this time to rest as much as possible. MTX can have physical side effects, and there remains a risk of rupture until you are below the 5mlU/mL, or nonpregnant levels. Please continue to monitor your symptoms. Your hospital should have given you a number to contact for health advice if you feel that anything is changing, or you will have been told to report to the Accident and Emergency (A&E) department. If you have not been told what to do and need to speak to someone ring the hospital department which is treating you or the NHS 111 Service by dialling 111.
These boards are filled with women who have been through similar experiences. Please know that we are here for you anytime and for as long as you need.
With good wishes,
Michele
The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust
Registered Charity Number: 1071811
Ectopic pregnancy patient information suite: Highly Commended in the 2019 BMA Patient Information Awards
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I had my first fertility appointment and so far they cannot see any reason why I can’t get pregnant again.