Hi everyone, Im experiencing my first ectopic pregnancy after 2 years of trying and several misscarriages.
My number was 2400 when I got the shot. On day 4 it was 3400, which gives me even more anxiety even if I red that is quite normal. My breasts feels bigger everyday which is a trigger for me since that mean hcg and progesterone are rising.
I have hard time distressing and trust the process. Anyone else struggeling right now with this? Hug from sweden
Dear jenny,
I am so sorry to hear of your ectopic pregnancy and losses. To experience one loss is difficult, to deal with multiple losses is heartbreaking and my heart truly goes out to you.
I certainly found the whole process of having an ectopic pregnancy and being treated with methotrexate very stressful. I think for me, it was fear of the unknown and a lack of co tell over what was happening to my body. Although we do hear from ladies who have had methotrexate and go on to need surgery, the majority of women (including myself) are successfully treated with the injection alone.
As you have rightly said, the hCG bloods will rise in day 4 because the action of methotrexate is not instantaneous, so the cells will continue to divide for two or three days after the injection was given, and some cells release more hCG when they start to disappear. Your doctors are looking to see a drop in your hCG value of at least 15% between days four and seven. If there has not been a 15% drop, this is when the doctors will consider a second dose of methotrexate or surgery.
We have more information on methotrexate on our website which I have copied here-
https://ectopic.org.uk/treating-an-ecto … thotrexate
I am afraid it is difficult to predict how long it will take for your hormone levels reach non-pregnant levels. As we are all individual, our bodies respond differently to the drug and it depends on factors like how high levels reached and our unique physiology. What I can say is that it can take a number of weeks and, while it can take some time, it is not as invasive a procedure as surgery, although I appreciate that it can be a drawn out process. Also, in terms of chances of future successful pregnancies, studies do not show a significant difference between treatment routes, whether surgical, medical using methotrexate or expectant management (allowing time for the body to resolve the pregnancy itself).
So continue to lean on us for as long as you need.
Sending much love,
Karen x
The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust
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