And paranoid about ectopic?

[lilybeansmummy]

I had an ectopic pregnancy last September which I had to get my right tube removed. Today I took my period (which is 2 days late) it's a lot lighter than normal, I feel incredibly ill and I just got a pain in my left shoulder! My husband and I only just decided to start trying for a baby again this month so not sure if I should be worrying about these symptoms or if I'm just panicking and being paranoid about having another ectopic! Just want some reassurance please!

Shoulder tip pain is a symptom associated with ectopic pregnancy. With your history it is not surprising that you are concerned. I would be worried if it were me. Can you get into see your GP or go to A&E if it is really bad? Or try to get in with an early pregnancy unit? Hope it all settles down for you.

Have you POAS?

Um I don't know what that means!

Ok googled it :) no I didn't as I my period is sometimes a day or 2 late since my laparoscopy so I was waiting a few days to be sure!

POAS (pee on a stick) doesn't really work until you've been pregnant at least 4-5 days, and that's the first response ones.

You have a good reason to worry since it already happened. But it should put you at ease that it's rare and not likely to happen again.

I would definitely POAS. If it's positive, go to the GP - they should arrange for you to have bloods done every 48 hours to check that hcg is rising as it should, and scans when appropriate. If it's negative, and AF hasn't turned up for another couple of days, re-test. It is unusual for lightning to strike twice but it can happen (it did to me) so make sure you are being properly monitored if it's a positive test.

Good luck and fingers crossed for a healthy pregnancy!

Should have said - if you feel any more unwell or develop more symptoms (check out the ectopic pregnancy trust) go straight to A&E. They will take it seriously, so don't worry about potentially wasting their time.

I would definitely do a pregnancy test and look out for abdominal pain that won't shift. If you get a positive and/or the pain, then go and get checked out.

However, I think it would be unlikely at only 2 days after your period is due.

Also shoulder pain happens in the late stages, after a lot of abdo pain. I'm trying to reassure you not scare you but the shoulder pain stage would be when you were in a great deal of trouble. You really couldn't be at that stage, honestly. But keep an eye.

I shall send my husband out to get one! I know I'm probably just being paranoid but thank you for your feedback xx

Regarding POAS, can't remember the medical explanation, but when DW had what turned out to be ectopic pregnancy, the test result varied from one day to the next. (I just mention this so people know one POAS test means nothing. Obviously not suggesting you test for a few days to see if results fluctuate, as a possible ectopic is an emergency.)

In case this wasn't totally clear from my last post: it is possible to get a negative test if you have an ectopic pregnancy, something about an ectopic causes the hormone level being tested for to fluctuate.