Worried about another ectopic!

I had an ectopic pregnancy in February, which ended with my right tube being removed. We’ve just started trying again, and I don’t know if I have my period or another ectopic…I’ve been having bad anxiety about having another ectopic since it happened.

I didn’t think I had much of a chance of pregnancy given it’s the first month trying and I have one tube, but about six days before my period was due this month, my breasts started feeling really tender and swollen. I get this PMS symptom occasionally, but never for more than a couple of days (except for when I had the ectopic pregnancy). So, I started to think I might be pregnant.

Yesterday, the day my period often comes, I took a pregnancy test. It was negative. Today, I still hadn’t got my period (it always comes by day 31, which is today), so I took another test. It was also negative.

A few hours later, I noticed period pain and a little brown discharge, although not prune juice like as it was when I had the ectopic. I put a tampon in thinking I’d finally got my period. I removed it about four hours later, and there was only a little bit of brown and red blood. Usually, I’d fill a tampon in that time on my first day. It’s now been another couple of hours with only a panty liner in, and there’s no more blood. I’m starting to stress it’s another ectopic but that the hormone’s too low to show up on the pregnancy test. Last time I didn’t test until my period was a week late, so maybe that’s why it was positive.

Can you have a negative pregnancy test and still have an ectopic?

Dear Katejer,

I am so sorry to hear of the worrying time you are going through. Sadly I am not medically trained so cannot give you specific advice on your symptoms, however if you feel that this is not like a normal period, I would advise seeking medical advice.

Sometimes with ectopic pregnancy the hCG in the urine rises too slowly to change to a positive test but if you are concerned your GP could complete blood tests for hCG. Having said this, if your bleeding continues to be abnormal and you develop tummy pain or feel dizzy and unwell please seek urgent medical advice through NHS 111 or A&E.

Sending much love,

Karen x

The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust

Registered Charity Number: 1071811


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