Ectopic, don't know what to expect?

[maybemyrtle]

I should be 6.5 wks pregnant based on LMP. I was referred to EPU on Monday due to 2 weeks of spotting and cramping. Ultrasound showed no pregnancy, just a "collection of blood cells in the lining"(??). HCG levels on Monday were 6900 and today they're 7300 so I've been told it's likely to be ectopic.

Just wondered what other people's experiences were of this. I'm still relatively early and not in pain, so not sure how it'll be managed? I'm to go back tomorrow for another scan and examination and I've been told to be prepared for theatre. How likely is that though? Just curious what they usually do as the doctor I spoke to was really noncommittal (which I totally understand, but is there a default management?). Has anyone had medical management, or had wait and see and it's successfully resolved?

[Bakingtins]

Myrtle I'm sorry you are facing this. Ectopic support thread can probably help you and also the information on the Miscarriage Association site on ectopic pregnancy

[maybemyrtle]

Thanks Bakingtins, I'm reading through the thread you suggested, thank you x

[nectarini1983]

Not totally sure on what is 'standard procedure' as only discovered mine when my tube ruptured and I had to have it removed as an emergency op. Hopefully as yours has been detected early they may be able to save your tube by treating you with medication...I forget it's name now.

Having said that, having only one tube hasnt hindered me having children. I have fallen pregnant three times since and have two healthy children so please dont despair, even though it may seem bleak at the moment.

Good luck. X

[maybemyrtle]

Thank you nectarini that's so reassuring to hear that you've gone on to have children. So sorry that you had to go through a rupture though :(

[nectarini1983]

It was very traumatic at the time and I think the worst part for me was the not knowing if id ever go on to have children. They said my chances of conceiving had reduced by 50% which was devastating. ...but shows what they know as I fell pg with my daughter the next month. If im honest, I dont give it a thgt now and I forget ive only got one tube, but this is 4 years/ 2 children/ 3 pregnancies later and time is a great healer. I have always been offered early blood tests and scans in subsequent pregnancies to check location and progress which is reassuring.

Try just to take each day at a time and be kind to yourself. You will be ok.

Xx

[tasmaniandevilchaser]

Hi, I had an EP last year, it was a truly awful experience. I started that thread on here as it was a rocky road to emotional recovery even though physically I had a fairly easy ride.

I went in with bleeding at around 4 wks and after a week of monitoring, my hcg levels were high enough to scan (1130) and they saw it in my left tube. I had the op 4 days later as it was too late for the methotrexate injection by then. I was so lucky, it was starting to rupture when they operated, but I didn't have much pain. The physical recovery was fine, I had 2 wks off work, but as I said the emotional side was very hard. I was very stressed about my future fertility but they couldn't see any scarring when they operated which was reassuring. That was one bonus from operation vs injection for me. i conceived DS 5 mths later- it was VERY stressful until I had a scan to confirm he was in the right place but it's all in the past now thankfully.

I hope it all goes well for you, you won't be able to do expectant management if your hcg levels are rising and the op is good in terms of a quick resolution because the metho treatment can really drag on and you cannot move on until the physical side is over.

[lj123]

Sorry to hear you are going through this I have also had an ectopic, I was 7 weeks although I thought I was only 3 weeks and had found out about my pregnancy early, needless to say I was by then in huge amounts of discomfort and had emergency surgery to remove my right tube.
Sounds like you may have time.
Things will work out for you either way.
I'm here to talk in you need to Hun xxx

[maybemyrtle]

Thanks for posting everyone. Feeling lucky now that I'm not in pain and that it's been picked up early. Needed that perspective!

Tas thanks too for pointing out how long metho can go on for, I'd not considered that, I agree it'd be best to get it over and done with so we can move on. I read all of the thread and I'm so pleased things worked out well for you in the end. You too nectarini - this needn't be the end of the world for my fertility!! :)

Thanks lj that's really kind x

Off to hospital now, feeling much better than I was yesterday, thank you

[tasmaniandevilchaser]

Hi maybe, thanks I hope you have a happy ending too and the op goes well. Pop over to the ectopic thread if you want to chat more, there's often someone around