Worried about treatment options and fertility

Hello there :slight_smile:

I was diagnosed with a ectopic pregnancy on 16th December, after a couple of weeks of watching my hCG rise, and seeing what they thought was an inuterine pregnancy resolve (my endometrium was thick and they thought they could see an empty gestational sac. Both have now gone but they’ve found a small pregnancy in my right tube).

On Friday, the day of my diagnosis, I was told they were hoping my hCG had peaked and that I’d come in on Monday (today) to be expectantly managed).

Sadly later that day by bloods came back and I’d had my biggest jump yet - 650 to 750 in 12 hours. They then told me to come in today nil by mouth, in case they needed to intervene. They’ll take my bloods and have me wait there for the results. If it swings the wrong way, then I guess I’ll go into surgery.

It’s all so unknown and scary, but if I am given some treatment options, I still don’t know what I’d prefer. Methotrexate sounds so invasive and a long, drawn out road, but surgery seems so final and devastating to your fertility.

I’m 37 so I don’t feel like I’ve got my most fertile years ahead of me. We’d been trying 6 months for this pregnancy.

I thought I read on here that your fertility outcomes are the same, regardless of your treatment - is that right? I can’t find that post now.

Really keen to hear others experiences and if they had any regrets :slightly_smiling_face:

Thanks, Lizzie

Hi Lizzie,

I found out I was 6 weeks pregnant on November 15th. November 28th my HCG dropped so they told me I was miscarrying, so I knew I was losing my baby. :broken_heart: December 15th (after 4 weeks of odd and painful symptoms), an ultrasound found I had a 7.6cm growth. They only determined it was ectopic when I the doctor gave me the option to do an investigative laproscopic surgery. The surgery ended up saving my life, because my fallopian tube had unknowingly ruptured. I didn’t have any other option. Having an ectopic pregnacy is scary either way. I hope whatever way it resolves for you, you are gentle on yourself and give yourself the space to grieve. It’s so hard. But you are not alone. Sending hugs :people_hugging:

-Kianna

Thanks so much for your reply Kianna and what an awful experience it sounds like you’ve had.

I’m sorry for your loss and that you weren’t diagnosed until that late stage :pensive:

I got good news today that my hcg had dropped so I’m keeping everything crossed it continues and I’m one of the lucky ones who gets a resolving pregnancy :crossed_fingers:

I knew about ectopic pregnancies before but this forum and learning people’s experiences has really taught me so much. Such strong women in here in the face of such awfulness :heart:

Hi Lizzie,

I am happy (I find that so odd to say given the circumstances are not happy in the slightest) that your levels are dropping. Will you be going in every 48 hours?

For me the methotrexate was the better option, I was told it does not impact fertility and there aren’t huge risks involved, it’s just a pain because it really is such a long drawn out process (I had my injection 20 days ago and spent the day today in A&E on a drip) but they do say if you haven’t had any children previously that methotrexate may be the preferred option as MOST of the time it’s successful and you can keep your tube. You just have to wait 3 months before you can try again.

I was told surgery reduces fertility by around 10% (I don’t know how they work out the percentages) and the doctor today suggested it wouldn’t reduce it by much if the other tube was healthy. But my friend had surgery as they feared rupture and she said that the physical recovery was HARD and then you were not only mourning the loss of a baby, but the loss of a tube. BUT with the surgery, it’s over and you know you’re no longer pregnant and you can focus on that mental recovery.

It’s such a hard choice as they’re both horrible decisions to have to make. I wasn’t able to go ahead with expectation management and wait but I am grateful I had choices. I just have everything crossed this methotrexate continues to work and I can start trying again in March!!

I have everything crossed for you too, sending cuddles! Please update us! Xxx

Dear Lizzie,

I am so sorry to hear of your ectopic pregnancy loss.

You are correct in saying that there is no statistical difference in numbers of successful pregnancies between each of the three treatment outcomes.

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 think from a previous post, you are currently being expectantly managed. Although this can feel like a long drawn out process, it doesn’t have the side effects of methotrexate and is not as invasive as surgery.

I would also take advice from your medical team who will have your most recent blood tests and scan results as well as knowing your last medical history.

Above all be kind to yourself and allow time to grieve, to heal both physically and emotionally.

Sending much love,

Karen x

Registered Charity Number: 1071811

Ectopic pregnancy patient information suite: Highly Commended in the 2019 BMA Patient Information Awards


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


Hi,

Not sure what your outcome was? I ended up losing my right tube after a ruptured ectopic in Sep 22. It too made me worry about my fertility, I’m 35 next month and really thought that my chances were very slim of getting pregnant again but thankfully I’ve been very lucky and actually got my positive pregnancy test just 10.5 weeks after my surgery. Shocked to say the least. I’m around 9 weeks atm, waiting for my early scan to check baby was in the right place this time was absolutely terrifying but just wanted to reassure that although it feels that we won’t ever get pregnant again… It is possible. It’s so easy to find lots of horror stories when you go through such an awful time and I frantically tried searching for success stories so just wanted to give some hope. Im on edge each day wondering if I’ll actually end up getting to term with this baby but I know its in the right place and that in itself was a relief. Wishing you all the best.

Oh Claire! CONGRATULATIONS! I’m so happy for you and your story gives me hope, made my day! All the best for the rest of your pregnancy, and beyond!! Xxxxx

Dear Claire,

Fantastic news and thank you so much for sharing your good news, you can see already how much hope it brings.

Wishing you a smooth pregnancy,

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


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