Third miscarriage - ectopic?

[purpleflower23]

Hello.

I'm hoping for some advice/words of wisdom/support..! Apologies in advance if TMI.

I'm 31, DH but no DC (desperately wanted), 1st miscarriage in July 2014, second in February 2015.

Found out I was pregnant again about 10 days ago but starting bleeding around the same time, not too heavy at first, brown in colour to start with and then heavier and bright red. I've also had cramping and contraction type pains and have passed some clots and tissue. My pg symptoms have gone as well. I've been through a mc twice so I'm confident that this was another one.

We went for a scan earlier this week. The sonographer said that it wasn't good news, that my womb was empty but that my ovaries looked good and healthy. The nurse afterwards said that they wanted to do a pg test as well so I had to POAS whilst I was there (I thought this was strange as I didn't have to do this with the first mcs, I was just told to POAS at home a week or so later and then call them if it was still +ve) The test was +ve so she said they'd need to do a blood test to check BhCG levels and repeat this 48 hours later to see if the levels had gone down. I think they're checking to make sure it isn't ectopic, which I guess wouldn't show up on the scan? The only other reason I can think is if they think it's a really early pg which wouldn't show up on the scan yet but I can't think that this is the case because of my dates & the fact that I've lost so much blood, etc.

Anyway the blood test results came back today and the BhCG levels have gone up! I think she said they were at 386 which doesn't mean anything to me as I've never had this checked before. Is this high or low? The nurse said that they'd need to re-scan me again in a week (10 days from first scan). I was a bit flustered on the phone as I wasn't expecting that at all so didn't ask any of the questions I probably should have done and now I'm just a bit confused and scared. Surely if they were genuinely worried about it being ectopic they would want to see me straight away? I wasn't worried about it before as I've not had any symptoms of ectopic but I don't know what to think now as I have no idea what's going on! What do you think they're looking for on the scan?

As an aside, the bleeding has pretty much stopped now and I'm not feeling ill just a bit wiped out, headache and I now have a cold to add to that (blaming DH!) Any thoughts/similar experiences you have to share would be appreciated...

Thank you for reading xxx

[purpleflower23]

Anyone?

[KittyandTeal]

I'm sorry for your losses.

I'm afraid I don't have experiences of early losses or scans etc.

I imagine you are right, they are double checking there is not an ectopic. The only other option is that somehow you have bled but the pregnancy is somehow intact but I'm not sure how likely that is tbh.

I'm really sorry I can't be of more help

[purpleflower23]

Thanks Kitty, I just feel so helpless.

[Lou1791]

I'm sorry, what a confusing time. Have you had more than 1 blood test, checking hcg? It's the difference between the two that matters rather than the actual level.

Could you make a list of your questions and then ring the hospital back? Myself and my DH did this when I had a (slightly) similar experience - it really helped.

Hope you get some answers soon.

[purpleflower23]

Thanks Lou, that's really helpful One of things I thought I should have asked was what the original level was.

Will do as you suggest I think, they've been helpful so far so hopefully they'll be able to give me a bit more information if I ring them.

Thank you x

[fi1984]

Purpleflower I'm so sorry for your losses. I'm currently going through a miscarriage and have been through similar testing to you. (I had a visible sac but no yolk/baby). I think you're right and that they're just checking for an ectopic although if you've had an internal scan this would show up as they scan your tubes outside of your uterus too. It might have been that the scan wasn't clear enough and they weren't sure whether they could see tubes clearly enough to diagnose it definitely wasn't ectopic. This is what happened to me. I also had 4 HCG blood tests and in each case my levels went up. I don't want to sound negative but although my levels went up they still weren't high enough to indicate viable pregnancy they should double every 36- 72 hours roughly. and I actually started bleeding heavily when my levels were at their highest. (6200) I should've been around 9 weeks by now.
I hope you get some answers soon it's awful feeling as if you're in limbo xxx

[kirinm]

Hi, sorry you're going through this. I've been through multiple miscarriages and an ectopic so know how stressful it is.

Because your womb was empty they will be checking to see if the pregnancy is elsewhere. With levels at 300ish it would probably be too early to pick up on a scan. They will ( or should) do levels every 48 hours to see how they are increasing. If they rise but don't double, they will be concerned about it being a pregnancy 'of unknown location' and will undoubtedly re-do your blood levels. If the levels drop on their own they'll be satisfied you're going to miscarry on your own. If they keep rising and they cannot see anything in your womb, they will ultimately offer you medication to end the pregnancy.

I think that was a bit rambled but they are carrying out the right tests to ensure your health isn't put at risk.

It can feel like quite a long process because they will monitor you for a while. I know that I couldn't stop the hope that everything would be okay but once it sunk in that the pregnancy was not in the right place, I realised we had to concentrate on ending it with as little harm to me as possible.

Please feel free to ask me anything if you have any questions.

[Isaidboomboomboom]

Have they spoken to you about a possible molar pregnancy? I went for a 12 week scan to be told no heartbeat and booked in for erpc. Was called back a few days later as they'd found abnormal cells. It turned out 2 sperm had gone into 1 egg causing too many chromosomes and obviously not a viable pregnancy. Far too many hormones were produced and the placenta was growing too rapidly causing hcg to keep increasing rapidly. Had to send blood and urine samples to Charing Cross hospital to check levels returned to normal. This took a few months and then had to be clear for a few months before ttc again. There are different types of molar - mine was partial molar. This was in 2012 so apologies if I haven't remembered details correctly. There is a very good website with lots of info if you google molar pregnancy.

[purpleflower23]

Thanks for all your lovely messages and I'm so sorry for everyone else going through this. Miscarriage is the shittiest thing ever. I don't know anyone else IRL who has been through this so mn makes me feel less alone.

I rang the EPAU this morning & managed to speak to the nurse we saw at the first scan which was great. She was soooo lovely and really gave me time to talk, I genuinely felt like she cared about me. At least now I feel a bit more prepared for what's to come on Friday.

Apparently my levels went from 386 to 595 so a bit of an increase but not doubled. They should be at 1200/1500 by Friday when I go for my next scan so if there's anything to see by then, they should be able to see it.

I asked the nurse if there was any point POAS again at home and she said no but I'm kinda tempted still? Does anybody have any thoughts? I'm not sure what it would achieve but I feel like it's something I could do!

Isaidboomboomboom - They haven't said anything about molar pregnancy but I've had a look online to see what it is, sounds like that could explain rising hcg levels but I'm not sure mine have increased enough? Thank you though, at least if I find out a bit more about it then I'll be more prepared if that is what it is.

I hate the limbo feeling, I'm just finding distractions and trying to stop myself from thinking about it all the time!

[fi1984]

Purpleflower I'm so glad your early pregnancy unit are being lovely too. The nurses at mine were terrific. I actually felt as though they knew me. Nothing was too much trouble and they had time to give, it didn't feel as though you were one of a long list.
I'm not sure about POAS it may give you false hope. I've now had a complete miscarriage. I was scanned today and there was nothing there. However the nurse said if I POAS today it would still come back positive as my HCG levels are high enough to register. I would wait.
Your level almost doubled. I'd say that's fairly positive but the overall level is still quite low. I'd wait until the scan. That's the only real way of knowing exactly what's going on. The being in limbo bit is shit. I was there for 2 weeks. It was a relief when I started bleeding at the weekend, although I know that sounds odd. x

[purpleflower23]

fi1984 It makes such a difference doesn't it? I'm under a different hospital now to my first two miscarriages and the facilities and care just seem so much better. It just shows it's a postcode lottery!

I'm so sorry for your loss, it's horrible. I know what you mean about the relief though, I think the waiting and being in limbo are the hardest parts, once you know for sure that it's all over and there's no hope left at least you can start grieving and healing and possibly thinking to the future. I hope you're taking care of yourself.

I think you may be right about POAS, I just feel so helpless! xx

[fi1984]

Hoping that Friday comes quickly for you so that you get some more definite answers. Please let me know how you get on. I'll be thinking of you xxx

[purpleflower23]

Thanks fi1984 that's so lovely of you xx

[Isaidboomboomboom]

Hope everything works out for you - it really is a horrible thing to go through. There is hope though - I had 3 'normal' miscarriages, the partial molar and an ectopic and am now 34 weeks pregnant. The worrying and anxiety never goes away but there is definitely hope to continue and have a normal pregnancy. Thinking of you xx

[purpleflower23]

Thanks isaidboomboomboom, that's amazing! Sometimes it feels like I'll never be a Mum but hearing stories of hope definitely helps. Can I ask, how have you coped with anxiety in this pregnancy? Have your previous losses ruined the experience of being pregnant for you? (please tell me to buzz off if you want!) xx

[Isaidboomboomboom]

It was worse at the beginning - I had lots of early scans which were meant to be reassuring but I just stressed about them beforehand!! It was always a relief when scans were fine but the anxiety would start again the next day!! I still knicker check even this far on and know that there is still plenty that could go wrong. I know I won't be able to relax fully until he's born. To be honest, it's just taking one day at a time and trying not to dwell on it - easier said than done I know!!! Good luck - it will happen for you too xxx

[Isaidboomboomboom]

I have a 9 yo DD and had a miscarriage before her, so I've never had a pregnancy without worry - guess it's the only way I've known it! Xx

[purpleflower23]

Wow Isaidboomboomboom you have been through so much. Thank you for sharing with me. All the best for the rest of your pregnancy and birth, fingers crossed everything goes smoothly for you xx

[laughingGnomette]

purpleflower - I'm so, so sorry you are going through this yet again. I've not been through MC but had an ectopic last year so I know how scary it can be. It's tricky to suggest anything because everyone's symptoms are so different. Do you have any pain other than the contraction type ones? wishing you all the best for your scan xx

[purpleflower23]

Thanks laughingGnomette - No, no other pains, just a few headaches and feeling generally a bit lethargic. It is tricky as you say - the nurse at the hospital said everybody is different and every pregnancy is different so it's so hard to know xx

[purpleflower23]

Hi ladies,

So we went for my scan this morning. There was nothing in my womb (I wasn't expecting there to be really but you can't help but cling on to a little bit of hope) and the sonographer couldn't see anything anywhere else either so they have ruled out ectopic which is good news. They did another pg test though and it is still giving a strong positive. I've had another blood test to check BhCG levels again and they'll phone today or tomorrow with the results.

The staff at the EPAU seemed quite puzzled as to what's going on and genuinely couldn't tell me what might be causing this. I think I'll have to see a consultant if my levels have gone up again.

Does anybody have any idea what might be causing the positive result/levels increasing? I haven't had any bleeding or tissue loss for a week now and my body feels as it did after my first miscarriages (i.e. I don't feel pg anymore) and the scan has snown no evidence of pregnancy.

Thank you xx

[fi1984]

Hi Purpleflower I think it can take a little while sometimes for the HCG level to come right down. I had a scan on Tuesday, there was nothing in my womb but my levels that day were still 400. I've been told to do another pregnancy test on Tuesday to check its gone back to negative. Hopefully your levels will have gone down after today's test.
Great news that's it's not ectopic. That was my biggest relief. x

[purpleflower23]

Thanks fi1984 The hospital rang with my results, hcg is still going up! Last reading a week ago was 595 and it's now up to 1634. They've booked me in to see a consultant on Monday for a 'consultant's scan' whatever that is (I'm guessing maybe more detailed/longer?) and then we'll take it from there.

The sonographer this morning ruled out ectopic because she couldn't see anything anywhere but what else could it be?!

After holding it together all day I'm now feeling crap and just a had a big cry xx

[fi1984]

Hmmm puzzling it's going up for sure but very slowly. When I saw a consultant he said the ladies at epu are so good at scanning they would have found an ectopic by now if that was what was happening. I'm pretty certain if they've told you your tubes are ok then they probably are. It doesn't explain what's happening though especially as you've had a good bleed this should bring your levels down. I really hope you get an answer soon. When everything's so drawn out it gets draining doesn't it? How's the support you're getting at home? xx

[purpleflower23]

Thanks fi1984

It's very puzzling, nobody seems to know what's going on so I'm hoping the consultant will have some answers. Yes you're probably right, you'd think after 2 scans they would have found something and I don't have any symptoms of ectopic. It's exhausting! My first two miscarriages were physically and emotionally more draining (the first was particularly traumatic) but at least they were clear cut and I knew what was happening. This time I feel totally in the dark. Support is brilliant, my DH is amazing & I'm close to my mum and sister but I don't have many close friends and I don't know anybody else who's been through miscarriage so I don't feel like anyone really understands. xx